It's
nice to be able to relate to the person who is trying to help you
during your first year. I was there last year, not 15, 25, 35 years
ago, so wouldn't I be the best one to pass on the recent knowledge?
Chances are we're the same age (which is nice because I can only
handle so much talk about children my age and menopause). I like the
school and I think you will, too. I don't know much about you, but
maybe I'll introduce myself as an educator first. Let me tell you
about my style and some tidbits to help you out.

First
and foremost, I am not a perfectionist, far from it. Sometimes people
think, in education, they need to be perfect. Everything needs to be
laminated perfectly, the letters need to be in a perfect line, and
the kids' name tags need to remain spotless. While there's a need to
be organized in the classroom, there's a difference between organized
and OCD.

1.
A Master's Degree is a Master's Degree, whether you get a 4.0 or a
3.0.

Have
you started thinking about your Master's yet? I started it already,
which you might want to consider doing after and not during your
first year (take it from me). No one should aim to fail, but there
are so many of my fellow grad school colleagues who obsess over
every critique from the professor. And that A- on your paper? It's
OKAY. Obsessing over grades is a great way to go crazy every
semester. Aim to do the best you can. Study hard (not too hard),
start your paper early enough and take mini-breaks. Does this sound
familiar? These are tips you have been hearing since high school.
They still apply, even with full-time jobs and families. All of that
hard work will be worth it when the certificate's on the wall and the
pay raise is on your check.

2. Keep
   Your Schedule and Your Plans Flexible

In
your subbing, how many times have you made awesome lesson plans with
the confidence that everything is going to run smoothly, only to have
about 85 things go wrong (or right), from impromptu assembly to the
student's desire to keep going with a fun activity (or my personal
favorite distraction, birthday treats!). Instead of “9:25-9:55 –
Math lesson”, try “Math lesson, 30 minutes”. It's okay to move
things around and even every once in a while, pushing things until
tomorrow. Make sure you get your minutes per subject in for the week,
but remember it's okay to go off the cuff.

Some
other thoughts:

3. You
   don't have to check every paper that enters your inbox. There are
   plenty of strategies, like spot-checking a couple problems, checking
   homework randomly sometimes for grades sometimes for credit, or
   other. Maintain the paper along with your sanity.

4. You
   don't have to stay at school or up until midnight checking every
   paper. Students like an energetic teacher more than an efficient
   grading teacher.

5. Remember
   that you are their teacher. You are not their friend. I know this is
   hard and you certainly don't have to come out and say it. By all
   means, learn about your students and show them you care. However,
   sometimes I found myself caring about some more than others. I would
   listen to stories when I really needed to be helping others and
   teaching. There was a teacher assistant there that did not know her
   boundaries of professionalism with the kids. It's in how you dress,
   how you talk to the kids and keeping a healthy distance between
   yourself and your students. This will take time to develop warm,
   caring relationships with your students. Once relationships are
   established, the respect will come along with it. With respect comes
   classroom management and that, my new colleague, is the best
   de-stressor in the classroom.

   -Ruth Sable