Many new teachers face a terrifying situation as the school year begins: not only do they have to learn how to stand in front of students for the first time, but they also have to learn how to relate to their coworkers.
The transition to a blended or online learning environment will be difficult for new teachers and their students. More reason to make a smooth transition and welcome new teachers using four simple strategies, including advice for blended, online, and in-person classes.
Precautionary Principle No. 1: Involve New Teachers
New teachers are often asked to attend the school’s ‘Back to School’ bash, an event where teachers and students alike participate in mud-slide competitions. I remember being apprehensive and desperately trying to find an excuse to avoid the event.
There was a lot of temptation for that teacher to give up after saying “well, I tried,” but he didn’t. This made a big impression on me because I realized he was truly concerned about my well-being while I was a student there. From that moment on, I knew I could rely on him and ask him anything I needed.
This year is a great time to get those new teachers integrated into your school’s culture. Involve them in everything from dances to celebrations or sports to mud-sliding to show that you care about them.
It may seem like common etiquette in elementary school, but inviting new teachers to sit with your group could be the welcoming gesture they need to feel like part of the team. Even if it’s just for a half-hour or an entire day, it’s important for teachers to have an environment where they can feel like they can be themselves without the pressures of their daily work. Invite your new teachers to a meal so you can get to know them better.
As a mentor, you should approach it with humility.
The first year of teaching can be difficult, and many of us have wished we had someone to lean on during that time. During my first year of college, my 5th hour was particularly rowdy. When I finally got one group of students back on track, I had three more groups lost in space. It was like herding cats.
I was in a state of crisis and desperately needed help. As soon as I mentioned this to one of my coworkers, she agreed to be a part of my class every day, give me advice, and assist me in lesson planning. The amount of knowledge, discipline strategies, and classroom management skills I gained during that year are priceless.
Let’s be honest: Looking back on our first year as teachers, most of us wouldn’t describe ourselves as “super,” so why should we expect anything different from our incoming staff? We owe it to new teachers to extend the same courtesy to them that we do to our students by allowing them to make mistakes. Use these early mistakes as teaching opportunities and remember that learning from these mistakes will make them great teachers.
Third Step: Don’t Be Dismissive
New teachers bring fresh perspectives. As we encourage our students to cultivate the mindset of a learner who is constantly adapting, so should we. Keep the success of your students in mind as you engage in discussion and openly consider new ideas.
Keep in mind that they may have the next best idea for improving student achievement!
We all know that teachers engage in small talk, and it can be a very tight-knit community. Everyone wants to know how the new guy is doing, but don’t forget that what you say about someone may inevitably come back to haunt you. If you’re a new teacher, you deserve an opportunity to build your reputation without the interference of your colleagues’ gossip.
We should avoid making assumptions about others and actively dismissing gossip in order to only encourage constructive feedback among our peers.
Tip 4 – Make a Friend of Your Own
In some cases, what we really need is someone to listen, someone who can empathize with us, and someone who can empathize with us. We all need a shoulder to cry on when we’re starting out as a new teachers. If you’re looking for a school district to succeed or fail, it may be as simple as a friendly face at the end of the hall or a person who truly cares about your well-being. Be that person for a new teacher, who may be in desperate need of your support.
