For all of you new teachers out there, welcome to the profession. The charge you get from helping a student "get it" is worth everything.
No one forgets their first year of teaching. Probably because that is the first time you really learn how to teach and manage a classroom.
A couple of memories from my first year.
I got a job at Cathedral High School in Boston. With an MA, I still was working for $11,600 my first year. Yes, it was in 1984, but $11,600 was very little event then. I worked part/full time in a hardware store as well to pay bills and have some semblance of walking around money.
I was the displaced teacher. I did not have my own room. In fact, I taught in four different rooms. The only room I had more than one period was the typing room because I was asked to teach two typing classes. If you saw me typing this, you would understand why I never demonstrated typing. Instead I explained the process and drilled the students mercilessly. Every student that year did learn to types at least 60 words per minute (some over 100). But they never did see me type.
I also taught English, World History and Career Skills. The thing about small, Catholic schools is that you get to teach a lot of things in a lot of subject areas if you are willing to say, "yes." I am a better teacher and person for all the times and things I said yes to as a teacher.
I also remember that between the teaching and the part time job, at one point I found myself at a stop light reflecting on the fact that I had worked 38 consecutive days and was scheduled for 9-10 more before I would have a day off. I asked myself the real question, "Why am I doing this?" Fortunately, before the light changed, I had the epiphany, "because I love it." Been fine ever since.
What are some of your first year teacher memories?
No one forgets their first year of teaching. Probably because that is the first time you really learn how to teach and manage a classroom.
A couple of memories from my first year.
I got a job at Cathedral High School in Boston. With an MA, I still was working for $11,600 my first year. Yes, it was in 1984, but $11,600 was very little event then. I worked part/full time in a hardware store as well to pay bills and have some semblance of walking around money.
I was the displaced teacher. I did not have my own room. In fact, I taught in four different rooms. The only room I had more than one period was the typing room because I was asked to teach two typing classes. If you saw me typing this, you would understand why I never demonstrated typing. Instead I explained the process and drilled the students mercilessly. Every student that year did learn to types at least 60 words per minute (some over 100). But they never did see me type.
I also taught English, World History and Career Skills. The thing about small, Catholic schools is that you get to teach a lot of things in a lot of subject areas if you are willing to say, "yes." I am a better teacher and person for all the times and things I said yes to as a teacher.
I also remember that between the teaching and the part time job, at one point I found myself at a stop light reflecting on the fact that I had worked 38 consecutive days and was scheduled for 9-10 more before I would have a day off. I asked myself the real question, "Why am I doing this?" Fortunately, before the light changed, I had the epiphany, "because I love it." Been fine ever since.
What are some of your first year teacher memories?
