Initial Feelings of a Brand New Teacher
The certification says that I’m highly qualified to do this. Then why do I feel otherwise?
I’m the youngest teacher and the most inexperienced. I’ve never had a classroom of my own before.
People tell me I won’t know how to do this until I’ve done it for at least three years. But they don’t know what I’ve done the last three years. I’ve been preparing for this year, my first year teaching, for seven semester and countless credit hours.
I’ve spent my summers reading middle grades and young adult novels. I’ve read dozens of books written by real teachers doing really admirable things in their classrooms. I have Pinterest boards, a Twitter profile, a WordPress blog, and a Feedly all dedicated to becoming a better teacher.
I’ve sat in the front row of five conferences to learn from the best English teachers in the country. Not only do I watch these remarkable teachers via the internet – I participate in the conversation. For nearly three years I’ve dedicated my time to write on this blog, reflecting on numerous topics in education as well as my own experience teaching.
I haven’t been teaching the last three years. I’ve been learning. My college advisor and remarkable professor, Elisabeth, believes that teaching doesn’t give you experience. Learning gives you experience.
Yes, my certification indicates that I’m legally allowed to teach, but everything else I’ve done indicates that I will be a great teacher, even if it is my first year. I’ve just got to remember that.
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Elisabeth is right. Learning DOES give you experience. And it sounds like you’ve been committed to learning. And that’s going to make all of the difference!
Good luck as you embark on this journey and this career. I think you’re going to make it!
Thanks for the encouragement, Stacey! With the PLN I’ve developed, I know I’ll be able to have a successful year with a lot of support.
You sound like the best kind of teacher…the kind who loves learning! Confession: I’ve been teaching for 14 years and still question myself all the time! My first year of teaching was a rough crash of dreams meeting reality. I thought I had to know all the right answers but now I know that we are all still trying to figure it out the best we can! I was afraid to admit when things weren’t going well or if I was confused. In 2001, there was much less online support or PLNs to ask for help. The beauty of the first year is it is a great time to be innovative and try all the strategies and ideas you’ve been learning about. Good luck! So glad you have joined this community and I look forward to hearing how it’s going!
What I’m most excited about for this first year is putting the methods I’ve been learning about in place. They work for the teachers who I admire most, so why not for me?
Go get ’em! Everyone was new once. You are reflective and thoughtful—so important in becoming a teacher for life.
Thanks, Dana. Reflectiveness and thoughtfulness will get me through my first year as well as my entire career teaching.
“Learning gives you experience” is something that I think we all should have posted somewhere visible in our classrooms. I look forward to your future posts about this exciting first year!
I love the idea of posting it in the classroom!
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I absolutely love this and I can’t wait to hear all of your stories from your first year teaching! You are going to be awesome!!
Aw thanks, Jenn! Great stories are sure to come your way soon!