As we head toward the end of the school year and new teachers begin looking for teaching jobs, I'd like to offer some advice for those beginning their careers.
Find a mentor teacher who is willing to work with you, especially in high school. High school teachers are a territorial group, but there are always those who remember how difficult the first year(s) was and are willing to mentor new teacher. More importantly, listen to their advice. I know you have come from theory classes and student teaching, and you are probably filled with many good ideas. However, listen carefully to veterann teachers as well. You don't have to do as they say, but they often have encountered many of the same problems you will. Veteran teachers often feel frustrated that their experience isn't valued by new teachers, so simply listen to their advice. It many not be pertinent immediately, but you might eventually need it.
Understand that you are going to have to coach or sponsor something. It's part of the job. Moreover, you will chaperone dances. Bring a date but don't be unprofessional. It's a great way to see students in a different element and to make connections with other faculty. They also can see you out of the classroom, which helps them see you as a real person. You might even enjoy the extracurricular activities. There is an expectation in high school that teachers will attend plays and athletic events. These are enjoyable and it provides conversation for the following week.
Teaching is a time-consuming profession; understand and accept it. You will take home papers to grade. You will work weekends. Students will have to write and work problems, and as an effective teacher, you will have to grade them. Yes, grading can be a drag as well as cut into fun activities, but hey, I've brought grading to family functions. Families learn to understand and adjust. Plan lessons thoroughly, but know that they won't always go as planned. Don't be discouraged. It happens to everyone. On occasion, you will forget to plan; it happens. Have a couple of lesson plans in reserve for those days. Sometimes, those unplanned days are the best!
One area that causes me tremendous concern is teacher-student relationships. Students are children, even at 18. As a teacher, it is your responsibility to be the adult, regardless of your age. Students are not your friends or your lovers. Teachers have a professional responsibility to help students grow and learn, and it sometimes means they need to act as counselors and/or parents. But really, those who "friend"students and "hang out" with them need to grow up. They need to find friends their own age.
It's unprofessional to talk about your drinking, drug habits, or personal problems, within reason. There's no problem in informing students of something in your life that's affecting you, like death of a parent or sickness. However, befriending them and telling them all the sordid details of you life is wrong. These are children, even at 18.
Teachers also do not really have full First Amendment rights. Read your contract. There are often morality clauses in teacher contracts. Be familiar with what yours says. While discussing controversial subjects in class-within reason and control-is necessary for student growth, infusing each conversation with your own views is wrong. Give students both sides of the issue and allow them to make up their own minds. Converting them to your religion, vegetarianism, or other ideologies is simply wrong. It's not your job.
Know that not all students, parents, or faculty will like you, and quite frankly, that's not important. What is important is that you do the best job you can possibly do for your students. There will be controversy. There will be problems. But when students are successful, or you reach that one student no one has been able to reach, you are good teacher.
