After Induction

Dear New Teacher, Congratulations you are about to embark on a remarkable journey. I’m sure you are overwhelmed and feeling lost. I was once in your shoes. I will admit that the days are long and hard. I, myself, have spent a few times crying in my car questioning if I made the right career choice. I’ve stood in the staff bathroom analyzing my lack of makeup and dark circles because I stayed up so late writing IEPs and finishing assignments. Please know that before you know it you will find your rhythm. There is a saying “this too shall pass”. I think whoever made that saying was definitely a teacher. Coming from one very hot mess teacher myself, I want you to know that it’s okay to make mistakes. Just last week I was co-teaching a lesson and brought a diet coke with me into my colleagues' classroom. I made sure to keep it away from all of the electronics, but I still somehow managed to knock it over in the middle of the lesson. Luckily, the school ants seem to only like real coke, not diet, and haven’t swarmed my colleagues classroom, thus far. I tell you this story to let you know that mistakes like that will happen, as will clerical, classroom management, and lesson planning ones. In fact, you’ll probably make a lot of them along the way. When those happen don’t be discouraged. Simply own up to them and reflect on how you can avoid them in the future. My most important tip of advice would be to breathe and take time to practice self-care. As teachers, especially interns, we are so focused on others that we can lose sight of taking care of ourselves. Please be sure to give the same compassion you give to your students/others to yourself. It’s okay to not be okay. Find your support system and that will help tremendously. I’m sure you have heard endlessly to document everything. While that is important I also want to challenge you to document something a little different. Each day write down one success that you have achieved. It can be the tiniest success such as your student smiled as they walked in your classroom or your students stayed on task during a lesson. Of course; write down the big ones too! Your student was able to grasp a concept that no one else has been able to explain to them before. Your observation with administration went smoothly without any hiccups. Mark those moments in your heart and reread them on the days you feel like giving up. The saying “this too shall pass” also applies to those moments that fuel your fire. Cherish those moments because they will get you through the tough ones. Oh, dear teacher please know that whether you see it or not, you are making an impact. You do possess all of the qualities needed to be an amazing teacher. You are in the right profession. Love Always, Ms. B