The First Year Teacher's Survival Guide

With the close of the 2010 - 2011 school year, many familiar faces will be retiring. In fact, over the next ten years 3.2 million teachers will be eligible for retirement. An army of twenty-somethings will be looking to replace these outgoing veterans. This first year teacher survival guide can help if you're brave enough to enter the world of education.

Ask for Help - During your first year, not only are you trying to meet your colleagues, but you are also trying to prove yourself. Newbies often try to prove their stock by showing they can stand on their own two feet. Keep in mind that the average American school years last 180 days. That translates into a lot of 12 hour work days for a new professional juggling a plethora of responsibilities. Feel your way around the school and find a veteran you respect, preferably someone who still shows the drive to inspire Then, ask them for help in areas where you are struggling. Believe it or not, people are often willing to help.

Fly Under the Radar - Teachers are masters of, "do as I say, and not as I do." We scold students for spreading rumors or being dramatic; however, walk into any teacher's lounge and you may ask yourself if you're sitting next to Benjamin Button who is about to revert back to high school. Teachers are notorious for gossiping about colleagues. In addition, there will be those teachers who gripe constantly. The difference between you and them, they have tenure and you don't. Do your best "Weekend at Bernie's" impression and simply grin when these conversations take place. Join in the discussion and risk being the topic of conversation at the next administrator's gossip hour .

Be Assertive - I did it too, not only am I going to change the world; I am going to be the cool teacher that every kid loves. The truth: when your classes hear it is your first year and see that you don't have a distinguished silver streak in your hair, they will smell blood. Make sure your class policies are clear the first day of school. Then, be CONSISTENT with the consequences for breaking your rules, especially during the first two months of school.

Be Cool - Wait! I thought you told me not to get wrapped up in being the cool teacher? I did; this is the other definition of cool. Again, students will try to test you during your first year, and teenagers have a knack for being able to push buttons from time to time. But the worst thing you can do is yell, or engage a student in a shouting match. Once this happens you will become cafeteria fodder; worse yet, all the attention seekers in your other classes will force you into a repeat performance. Remember, just be consistent with your rules; this will eliminate the necessity of using your Christian Bale voice.

Get a Life - People really don't realize how difficult the first year of teaching is. Education programs don't enlighten you on the mental drain of demanding parents and administrators. Hours will drag on beyond the last bell as you create new lessons and grade assignments. The key to staying sane is making time for yourself. Take at least two days out of the week to unwind. You are going to have your whole life to work, so it won't hurt to put aside those essays for a little me time.

Teaching is a profession with an identity crisis. On one hand, you will be stressed during that first year; on the other, there is nothing more gratifying than a student from that first year returning and remembering not only your class lessons, but the life lessons you taught as well. Alright, you're ready, go change the world. Remember what Confucius said: "Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life."