by: Karyn Keenan
1) Participated on a teacher forum
Being able to ask questions and
pose ideas and problems to other teachers will help incredibly. Chances are if
you’ve had this problem, so have other people. Proteacher.net is one of my favorites! Now I’ve joined
twitter (2ndgradetchr) and it is even more fun!
2) Kept some great read alouds OUT of my classroom library
I had a very rowdy bunch of seven and eight year olds my first year.
When we really needed to calm down, I’d gather them all and wow them with a
read aloud they had never heard before.
3) Took a day for myself
As we got towards the end of the
school year, I was exhausted and I hadn’t taken a single personal (out of 2) or
sick day all year. When I finally took one I spent the day enjoying the sun and
found out my kids had to have indoor recess from the rain!! Whatever type of
days you get, make sure that you take some time for yourself—it is important!
4) Got in bed, regardless of what projects remain undone
Whatever your bedtime is, stick to
it! Being tired in the classroom makes everything harder to do.
5) Kept a Blog/Journal
I kept a private blog that I shared
with my family. It allowed me to get my vents, frustrations and joys out. This
also gave me great documentation into my own successes and failures as a
teacher.
6) Utilized Donorschoose.org
This is one of the most INCREDIBLE
resources you can use. I have gotten a great electric pencil sharpener and a
wealth of math games. Arriving when the school year begins will be a puppet
theatre and Indoor Recess Games. Keep your projects relatively low in cost
($200 or less). Publicize them via e-mail and facebook. Make sure to get your
thank you notes written on time.
7) Never gave up
Even when things got really tough and I honestly thought I might not be
able to wake up in the morning, I still did. Some mornings it helped that I
worked right across the street from a McDonald’s!
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