Reflections on Teaching (First Two Weeks!)

I'm too tired to type in nice paragraphs, so tonight the harried new teacher is electing for bullets. Painful lessons I've learnt (just kidding, LEARNED) so far:

• accept help ALWAYS!
• before you buy a plant for your desk, make sure your classroom actually has a window!
• always plan MUCH more than you EVER think the kids will complete
• when checking a kid's answers, make sure you aren't holding the answer key where he can see it
• don't leave your candy jar on your desk or in eyesight
• don't offer a flavor choice for candy. pick it yourself.
• don't use smelly markers! they'll give you a headache and the kids will huff them!
• when the kids ask an excessive number of personal questions, ask them questions back (are you married, teacher? are YOU married, Johnny?) they'll stop. i promise.
• don't stay after school. the highway traffic gets worse and every teacher will come by your room to talk to you about "their problem kid" and gossip about the other teachers
• learn the layout of the school. this is especially important if your classroom shares a wall with, I don't know....the PRINCIPAL. :)
• make friends with custodial crew
• make friends with the lunch ladies (they'll slip you a few extra tater tots)
• make friends with the main office staff (especially the lady that orders supplies and holds the only key to the "golden supply room"
• if you go out for lunch (this will rarely happen), wear your school ID badge (many nearby places give discounts)

Lastly, accept the fact that you won't be even CLOSE to a perfect teacher during the first year.