Essentials: Year 1

What I wish I knew 10 years ago when I had #NFI how to teach

“Of the most common statements I hear among teachers new to the profession, two stand out. The good ones say: “Wow, I learned so much in my first term of teaching than i did in my 4 years of uni.”

Quoted from an article in The Age,

Adam Voight

Jan 7, 2019

Dear Steve,

We are lucky time travel is possible. How else can I write to you before the morning of your first day of teaching, 10 years from the future? Crazy, ey?

I can still remember my first day. The day you’re about to have. You’re first day. There’s this nervous 23 year old kid in jeans, a white collared shirt and a pair of Dunlop volleys walking into the classroom of Grade 3A at around 7:33am. He’s pacing around the almost bare walled classroom (a few crappy laminated things are up to try and spruik it up a bit, trying to remember everything he needs for the day. In less than an hour, some excited kids and parents will walk into the room. You’ll smile, and say hello, greeting them with warmth and cheer. You’ll also gulp when no one is looking. You’ll do a fine job of pretending you know what you’re doing. Sweat will bead down your back as you count the seconds the parents can leave. Then you might be able to relax a bit. No one can watch you stumble through the getting to know you activities you’ve printed off. Except of course, the children now entrusted into your care. Fortunately, they all to think you're an expert. A fully fledged, four year trained, graduate teacher.

Ready to put that training into action.

When those 24 Grade 3 students sit on the ground looking up you expectantly, three thoughts will run through your head, making you feel eve more of an imposter than you do right now.

“I can’t believe I’m really a full blown teacher.”

“How has this happened?”

And, of course one more.

“Now what?”

Now what indeed. Well, I’m glad you asked. You’ll begin facilitating the beginning of a new learning environment that will soon make those students entrusted into your care feel safe, supported and primed for learning.

I know you have a basic idea how to teach. But really, don't know much. (In fact, that's not going to change ten years from now. But I know enough to help. This will help you get through the day, week, term and year of your first year of teaching. I’m calling them Essentials, because it’s essential you keep these in mind throughout the term.

This is what I wish I had known in my first year.

# Maybe some 43 year old guy called Steve will write to me one day too.