Secrets for Secondary School Teachers by Ellen Kottler, Jeffrey A. Kottler, Cary J. Kottler Page B
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be done—personal shopping, dentist appointments, and so on.
It’s important to set realistic deadlines. There are only 24 hours in a day and you need to sleep, eat, exercise, and spend time with your family and friends. Remember, too, to ask for help when you need it. Other teachers may have models for you to follow and suggestions that will help you do things efficiently. A mentor can also help you prioritize your tasks.
There will be many requests and opportunities for involvement at the school, from coaching sports to advising clubs to curriculum development. You will enjoy these commitments, but they also take time. You may have to remind people several times that you are a new teacher, and that while you would like to get more involved, you are not ready to do so at the present. Target what you would like to do and put it on the list for next year!
A T THE E ND
It’s hard to believe, with everything you are trying to remember as you’re just getting started in the job, but there will come a time when the academic year ends. Unfortunately, this brings another rash of forms to fill out and paperwork to complete.
At the end of each semester, you will need to post schedules for final exams. There will be forms for you to fill out regarding your preferences for teaching next year, textbookneeds and supplies, and maintenance requests for your room over the track or summer. Various evaluation forms also will be requested.
Teachers with senior students will have to report semester grades and fines. They may be involved in distributing graduation-related material, such as senior rings, caps and gowns, and invitations. This is the time for recommendations, resumes, and senior projects. Do not agree to review a resume or write a letter of recommendation if the student does not give you enough time to do so—at least a week.
All of this paperwork may seem overwhelming in the beginning. It is really just during the first few weeks and the last few weeks of the year that things seem particularly hectic. Before you become frustrated, remember that almost all professional jobs in contemporary life have their fair share of forms and paperwork to complete. You will become more efficient as time goes on. This is just the price we pay for the privilege of doing the fun stuff.
8
Avoiding Boredom—Theirs and Yours
If there’s one thing that kids hate most about school (besides having to get up early), it’s the boredom. I (Cary) think that most teachers are so repetitive and predictable. Whether it’s taking notes or doing problems on the board, the same routines are used over and over again.
My advice is: Avoid this! Take risks by trying new ideas. If students come to class and they already know they’re going to be lectured to all period, then interest is lost before things even begin.
The way to get my attention (and keep me from falling asleep) is to surprise me. Be innovative and enthusiastic. Catch me off guard, and I will respond positively. Last of all, never act like you are bored. When I can see my teacher is bored, it is definitely going to rub off on me.
The following situation seems to happen too often. I walk into my science classroom, passing a hanging skeleton and all the usual posters of plants and animals. The bell rings, and I take my seat. Well, first I talk to a few of my friends.
The teacher takes attendance and then walks over to the light switch, turning it off. You can hear groans across the room. He turns the overhead projector on and begins the usual hour of nonstop talking. The classroom is dark and stuffy. In the background, I hear the teacher’s monotone explaining something. What was that he just said? My head droops, and I feel the coolness of the table against my face. I’m drifting away.
I’m sorry, but in that situation, I really couldn’t care less whether a fish has a three-chambered heart or a four-chambered heart.
Who cares?
Entering my history class after lunch, I notice
It’s important to set realistic deadlines. There are only 24 hours in a day and you need to sleep, eat, exercise, and spend time with your family and friends. Remember, too, to ask for help when you need it. Other teachers may have models for you to follow and suggestions that will help you do things efficiently. A mentor can also help you prioritize your tasks.
There will be many requests and opportunities for involvement at the school, from coaching sports to advising clubs to curriculum development. You will enjoy these commitments, but they also take time. You may have to remind people several times that you are a new teacher, and that while you would like to get more involved, you are not ready to do so at the present. Target what you would like to do and put it on the list for next year!
A T THE E ND
It’s hard to believe, with everything you are trying to remember as you’re just getting started in the job, but there will come a time when the academic year ends. Unfortunately, this brings another rash of forms to fill out and paperwork to complete.
At the end of each semester, you will need to post schedules for final exams. There will be forms for you to fill out regarding your preferences for teaching next year, textbookneeds and supplies, and maintenance requests for your room over the track or summer. Various evaluation forms also will be requested.
Teachers with senior students will have to report semester grades and fines. They may be involved in distributing graduation-related material, such as senior rings, caps and gowns, and invitations. This is the time for recommendations, resumes, and senior projects. Do not agree to review a resume or write a letter of recommendation if the student does not give you enough time to do so—at least a week.
All of this paperwork may seem overwhelming in the beginning. It is really just during the first few weeks and the last few weeks of the year that things seem particularly hectic. Before you become frustrated, remember that almost all professional jobs in contemporary life have their fair share of forms and paperwork to complete. You will become more efficient as time goes on. This is just the price we pay for the privilege of doing the fun stuff.
8
Avoiding Boredom—Theirs and Yours
If there’s one thing that kids hate most about school (besides having to get up early), it’s the boredom. I (Cary) think that most teachers are so repetitive and predictable. Whether it’s taking notes or doing problems on the board, the same routines are used over and over again.
My advice is: Avoid this! Take risks by trying new ideas. If students come to class and they already know they’re going to be lectured to all period, then interest is lost before things even begin.
The way to get my attention (and keep me from falling asleep) is to surprise me. Be innovative and enthusiastic. Catch me off guard, and I will respond positively. Last of all, never act like you are bored. When I can see my teacher is bored, it is definitely going to rub off on me.
The following situation seems to happen too often. I walk into my science classroom, passing a hanging skeleton and all the usual posters of plants and animals. The bell rings, and I take my seat. Well, first I talk to a few of my friends.
The teacher takes attendance and then walks over to the light switch, turning it off. You can hear groans across the room. He turns the overhead projector on and begins the usual hour of nonstop talking. The classroom is dark and stuffy. In the background, I hear the teacher’s monotone explaining something. What was that he just said? My head droops, and I feel the coolness of the table against my face. I’m drifting away.
I’m sorry, but in that situation, I really couldn’t care less whether a fish has a three-chambered heart or a four-chambered heart.
Who cares?
Entering my history class after lunch, I notice
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