Day 1 You’re Not Alone

Happy 1^st day everyone.

Everyone feels differently about their 1^st day of school, from nervousness, excitement, anxiety to even fear, you’re not alone. From the most veteran teachers to every student across all grades, we all feel those emotions at different intervals.

This is year 24 for me. I’ve come to realize that the ebb and flow of those emotions are natural. The back-to-school dreams or as some would suggest nightmares started a few weeks back. It’s the mind and body coming to the realization that school is right around the corner. It’s easy to think that you’re on an island especially if you’re new to the profession or starting at a new school. Not everyone is quick to admit the aforementioned flood of emotions due in large part to delicate nature of the subject area, which only solidifies the loneliness of our thoughts and feelings. It’s an exciting time, but it’s a stressful time of year.

What I have learned in 23 years of teaching? A lot, and I’m still learning.

I’ve learned a lot about kids, but I’ve learned a lot about myself. That’s part of the job, we need to learn every day. As a teacher, I want to learn how to get better each and every day.

I’ve learned to be myself. I’ve learned to be firm, but fair. I’ve learned the importance of respect and classroom management. I’ve learned the value of building relationships. I’ve learned it’s ok to show my students my emotions.

When meeting new people, they often ask what profession I’m in, when I say teacher, they often look and say, “I don’t know how you do it.”

My reply hasn’t deviated over the years.

“It’s hard sometimes, but it’s all about building mutual respect and creating a rapport with students.”

My go to phrase, especially for Grade 9 students, is “I’ve taught Grade 9 for a long time, the consensus is that all you ever want is to get people to treat you like adults. If you want to be treated like adults, act like them.” I often tell the following story. As a beginner teacher, I was called to the office in the first week of school. I automatically thought I was in trouble or had done something wrong. When I got there, they said I had won a draw and to pick from a pile of class resources, books or posters for my classroom. As I took a deep breath of relief, I quickly searched through the pile, until I came across a small poster that said. “If you expect respect, be the first to show it.”

That has been my mantra ever since.

Every year is different, every student and class are different and that’s perfectly ok, that’s part of the job, that’s what makes it so stressful, but so rewarding.

You’re not alone, you’re never alone.

That’s how I want every single one of my students to feel in my classroom. I want them to feel comfortable, respected and safe in my classroom. I want them to know that I care and that we all care about them. I want them to know I’m passionate about their progress and that I have high expectations of them and that all I ever want from them is their best, a good honest try and that I believe in them and that they are all full of potential. I want every student to feel comfortable to share, I want them to know that I’m here to help them no matter what. Making a connection with kids is critical in this profession, but making connections takes time, it takes trust.

In the first few weeks of class, we discuss the importance of maturity, ownership, accountability and responsibility.

We talk about my two class rules, yes only two.

“Don’t talk when I or other students talk.”

Respect.

We also discuss what a “quiet classroom” looks like and how that feels.

I want to create a calm, relaxed and quiet classroom so every child can have the opportunity to experience that.

For beginning teachers or those new to the profession, as a young 2^nd year teacher I was given a small flip book of educational tips, I reluctantly “flipped” through and found a gem that I have used ever since, “for every behaviour you ignore, is a behaviour you have to correct.”

Beginning teachers should never be afraid to set the tone, kids no matter what age are looking for structure. “My walls, my rules” apply when setting the tone. For every student to feel comfortable, they need to feel safe, they need to know that the teacher is willing to correct behaviour right away, so things don’t fester and get progressively worse.

The most important take away of all for teachers is that we always have to be aware of the impact of our words and actions can have on our students both positive or negative, you never fully know what you mean or the role you play in the lives of our students.

Over the last 9 years or so, through the work with the Respect in School program and Sheldon Kennedy’s work, I’ve changed my approach, from “why is the student acting like that,” to “what has happened to the student to cause them to act like that.”

Changing my approach has definitely helped me grow as a teacher and person. Doing small mental health “check ins” with my students no matter what subject area has always been tremendously rewarding and also strengthens that connection with students.

Hard to believe it’s year 24, wishing everyone a great school year, we are all in this together, for all the new teachers out there, don’t be scared to ask questions, you should never feel like you’re on an island, you’re not alone.

Yours in education,

Craig