Teachers- How do you do it?

Question

I am a junior majoring in Elementary Education and I taught my first lesson in front of my supervisor the other day. We had a conference afterwards and she told me all the things that I missed and the areas that I need to improve in. Will I ever be able to teach a lesson, attend to the English Language Learners, give the gifted students enrichment activities, monitor their behavior, and try to assess the student's learning all at the same time? Teachers- how do you do it all?

Answer 1

Here's my secret: be happy to teach. If you are not happy, if it's just a job, if it's "all you like/are good at," that won't be enough. You have to enjoy it, embrace it, let it drive you. If it does, it will guide all those millions of "little" endless questions of addressing each student's needs and keeping your family balanced and having a social life afterward.

But definitely don't let it consume you... don't focus on worrying about everything; it's good to be concerned, definitely ALWAYS seeks ways to do things better (there is always a better way, even after 20 years of teaching).

If you have the will to be a good teacher and put in the effort it takes, then there is a way to do it. You can do it!! Besides, it's good you're addressing all these concerns in class now, instead of finding out in an evaluation on the job w/your administrator! Take all the criticism you can get and have it motivate you to do your absolute best, if you can.

My life's motto is whatever my hand finds to do, I do it with all my might. It's really had an impact on my teaching career, as well as when I was a student in college. I didn't realize until now, but my professors, some of my coworkers, and my administrator - just this week- told me it makes me stand out (living out my motto).

I hope this encourages you, best answer or not. I'm sure you can do it... remember being a teacher just means you are a life-long learner... after graduation, the OTJ training doesn't end, unless you let it. ;)

Answer 2

No and even if you do you'll never get paid enough for the effort. Give up know and go into computers. Seriously though. Teaching is a tough job that isn't for the timid and meek. You learn lots of strategies in college. You learn a whole lot more in the classroom. It takes a while to get used to the multitasking. You also learn some things that will help you organize and monitor students efficiently. Then you determine what works the best for you and your students and do it.

Answer 3

My mentor teacher told me once that it takes 5 years to really get the hang of teaching. He said that no matter how many times you practice or classes you take, it just takes time to become a good teacher. I remember at the time thinking that 5 years was an insanely long time, but now that I've taught 10, I realize how right he was. Unfortunately, those 5 years can be pretty tough sometimes. There are days (even now) when I feel like I'm trying to keep 30 plates spinning with just 2 hands.

Teaching bell-to-bell, meeting everyone's academic and social needs, and keeping up with the standards is tough and sometimes you can't do it all. When those times come, it helps to remember that you have helped most of the kids, and that each day you teach you are helping more and more of them. It's a lot to do, and we are the ultimate multitaskers. . .but I think that experience allows us to do it successfully.

Answer 4

If it's your first lesson, you can't expect miracles. You will pick it all up over time.

Teaching is like driving a car - you do some lessons early on with an "expert" to guide you, and this is the time when you're expected to make mistakes. Later, you're given approval to go it alone, and this is when the real learning takes place. Later still, you'll find that you do everything you have mentioned without even thinking about it.

I wouldn't worry too much about your lesson. Just take it all on board and try to address the areas you missed next time. Good luck and I hope all goes well.

Answer 5

No, you won't be able to do it all. None of us can. When I left college, I had the belief that it was imperative for me to reach every single student every single day. That, it turns out, is impossible. You will learn after being in the classroom for a while to work on a part of teaching a little bit at a time. First of all, getting the behavior of your students to be what you want it to be takes time. You have to learn what works for you and the kids. Once kids know what is expected of them and you have earned their respect, discipline isn't as much of an issue. Finding a way to reach every student every time is daunting. You have to learn to reach as many as you can each day. You may not reach them all, and you have to be willing to accept that. A principal told me something once that I feel describes the first years of teaching. Your first year is when you just try to survive and learn the curriculum. Your second year is when you work on what discipline works for you. Your third year is when it all comes together. Yes, you will have rough years after the third year, but your confidence allows you to work through it. Good luck!

Answer 6

Perhaps you have seen the juggler that balances all the spinning plates in the air? Teaching is much like that! Seriously, you will find that once you are in the classroom and you relax a bit that not every lesson incorporates every teaching method. Variety is an important strategy to remember. Just do your best and things will fall into place as you gain more experience. Keep up the good work!

Answer 7

The best lesson I learned from my mom who was a teacher many years ago when it comes to education classes - give the professor everything he/she asks - but realize when you are in the classroom you will never be able to use any of the things he or she is telling you. The key is maintaining a classroom - all the other things your professor is talking to you about is meaningless if you can't create a learning environment. Remember the reason why a person like your ed professor is in a college is because he or she couldn't hack it or could hack it anymore in the classroom.

Good Luck and keep you chin up!!!

Answer 8

Hang in there
whatever your supervisor says to fix, make sure you fix it for the next class where you are observed. not every day or every observation will go off without a hitch, and they should understand that

1st yr: rough but fun
3rd yr: if you make it this far, you can do it as a career
5th yr: you are good
10 yrs to 20 yrs (I am not there yet!): I have been told are the peak years for a teacher in terms of productivity

Hang in there, work hard and you will do fine