Ask a Teacher: Tips for Becoming an Educator

Q: I'm seriously considering teaching middle school and high school students when I grow up I want to teach math and history. How did you go through with your first day of student-teaching and then teaching a classroom of your own?

A: The switch from student to teacher can be a hard one. It certainly was for me. In college, you learn about teaching methods and theory along with core content information. But until you set foot in front of your own class, nothing you learn will prepare you for how to react to children. For all you aspiring teachers out there, here are some tips:

Get your tough face on: Kids can smell fear. They will walk all over you if you don’t know how to enforce your own rules. Create rules and stick to them. No exceptions. Just make sure you are fair. You are in your early 20s and now, you are basically a parent. You need to think like a parent, act like a parent, discipline like a parent. Clearly, you aren’t responsible for your kids outside of class, but in class, they’re yours, so get your game face on.

You are now an expert: Every teacher is different and has a unique way of teaching. I like to use videos and multimedia to spice up my grammar and history lessons, like The Alot Monster. Don’t try to measure up to your fellow teachers because there is no one right way to teach. Trust yourself, don’t be afraid to try new things, and remember that not every lesson will land. Lessons will crash and burn every now and then, and that’s okay!

Backwards-map your curriculum: Whether your school gives you a curriculum to teach or you get to create your own, I follow these simple steps. First and foremost, identify the standards you want to address each term (for example, write a research paper with a variety of sources). I use the new Common Core State Standards. Then, identify the skills they need to learn to achieve the standards (cite sources, create an argument, write from the perspective of a person in a time period, etc.) Finally, create the final project you want to achieve at the end of the term and work backwards to daily plans.

KEEP IT STUPID SIMPLE! If you are stressing out, it’s because you trying to tackle too much in your curriculum or you need to re-prioritize daily tasks, like calling parents, grading papers, etc. Just remember: keep it simple! That way you won’t burn out. The most important lesson I learned is that a teacher’s job is never done. You will never get everything done, so accept it and do what you can.

Short list of pointers:

• Don’t ask “yes” or “no” questions. Ask “how” or “why” questions.
• Don’t accept late work!
• Smile often.
• When you ask students to listen, wait until they listen.
• Make sure the kids know why you are teaching what you’re teaching.
• If you don’t know the answer to a kid’s question, pretend like you know the answer and say you’ll give extra credit if they find the answer for homework.
• Teenagers are all different yet all the same: they want to be taken seriously and treated with love and consideration.
• Don’t let administration push too much responsibility on you.
• When calling parents, be polite, warm, and complimentary before you lay the bad news on them.
• Most importantly: your best friends will be the janitors and secretaries. Go out of your way to establish relationships with the people that support you.
• My favorite teaching book is Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov. Ignore the corny title and buy the book. It gives you effective teaching techniques that really work (like standing still when you are giving instructions) and I recommend every teacher to read it before starting their in-service student teaching. Keep it always!

Is this a lot? I know it seems like it, just don't worry! You'll be fine! Enjoy the kids and celebrate the things you love about teaching. Everyone finds their own way!

If you were a teacher, what age group would you want to teach?

Ms. Dame is the 10th grade English teacher and National Honor Society Advisor at Bronx Theatre High School.

Got a question for an English, science, math, writing, special ed, sociology, or PE teacher, or a specific question for Miss Dame? Send it to contribute@sparknotes.com!

Related post: Ask a Teacher: How Do You Get Through the Boring Stuff?