Random things I learned teaching.
These are some small but telling actions that may help new teachers. (or not)
1-Never act like you know everything. You will get busted. If you are stumped, admit it and tell the students how to find the answer or tell them you will find out. Don't forget to find out because they will remember.
2-Be willing to say 'I'm sorry.' if you have truly done something that wrongs a student then apologize. It doesn't have to be a huge Busby Berkley production. Some teachers think that this is showing a weakness. I consider it essential in creating good relationships.
3-Learn the names of your students as fast as possible. I was able to call them out after one roll call. I substitute taught and knowing names was essential for survival. It really helps in any class and the kids think you possess magical powers. In addition, this is helpful in any class and aids class control.
4-Use basic manners. most kids will understand and follow suit. They set a foundation for the behavior you expect. Don't spend your time being the manners police though. Just set a good example.
5-If a student curses, there are several responses. Some teachers go to Defcon 1 immediately. Some ignore it. I hit a middle ground. I looked at the student and said 'Excuse me?' they knew how to translate these two words. They knew they meant that they had one chance to get out of any trouble by apologizing. 99% of them did.
6-If some method you are trying doesn't work, figure out a new process and dump the old one. Think through a new idea thoroughly. You don't want to change every week. Unfortunately, at times you will be stuck with edicts from the Gods of Education that are impractical. Modify them if you can. Know if those above you are jackasses and ready to put black marks by your name. There are some left who are reasonable.
7-Think about what rules you want to have and enforce them. I knew some teachers who had a page or two. I used as few as possible that would get the job done. If I had a page of rules, i would forget half of them.
7-Finally, if you value our life, never break up a fight involving 2 girls. I learned this the hard way. Breaking up any fight is not a good move. However, I have been able to use my voice to stop some and they were mostly boys.
I thought about why the girls fighting were off the hook. I think it's because by the time most of them have reached that level of action, they are beyond mad and beyond control. In addition, boys have some vague rules. They don't want to be called out or hair pulling. They will do it to survive, but it and some other actions are not at the top of the list. When girls fight, anything and every hing goes. Their imaginations create some strange situations. They always look like cartoon versions of Tasmanian Devils whirling around.
If you think this is sexist, it's a general observation over the years.
There are more but they escape me now. These weren't mentioned in any of the classes I took. I believe every teacher should substitute for a semester. That will give them valuable experience in class control. Many know their subjects, but if the kids are out of hand, that won't matter.
= new reply since forum marked as read
This is related.
If you are wrong, admit it. You look even dumber if you insist on promoting the wrong answer.
Some insightful tips. 
Julie
but most of your suggestions are pretty good advice for just getting through life.
I'm not a teacher, by the way, but I've always respected those who do it well. 
to all of you, especially in these days of RW attacks on you and your peers.
Keep up the good work!
Love the list.
My mother was a teacher.It is a thankless job.
I got fed up with the shite that rained down from the GOE. I also got fed up with certain parents. I expect and want them to be interested in their kid's progress. However, there were some who picked every nit and insisted their kids were angels.
Their kids were in general just mouthy teens, but with their parents fronting for them all of the time, they were headed for much bigger trouble. Mama and Daddy weren't going to be able to rescue them forever. Let them suffer high school consequences such as detention or whatever else. They learn that there are going to be problems for breaking the rules. If they don't learn that in HS, the next stage will be brutal.
I am not talking about letting them be unfairly or too harshly punished. That's another matter altogether.
If it's made in a way that would embarass me, I would admit I didn't know, but I would have a word of prayer with the student later.
I tried my best not to be sarcastic or correct the student in a negative way if they were wrong. I would point that out and ask for the same courtesy.
Nobody wants to be called out like they are fools.
if the tone was ok. That sounds reasonable. This is one reason why I say admit it if you are wrong and don't pretend you know everything. As I said, you will get busted.
It won't be a big deal unless it's made into one. Pretending you are never wrong or know it all is a big step on Big Deal Road. Watch where you put your ego. Put it in the wrong thing and there will be trouble.
Last edited Sat Jun 9, 2012, 03:30 PM - Edit history (1)
I taught Earth Science and also Physics. I told the ES students that it wouldn't break my heart if they didn't like science. Nobody likes everything. I then told them not to transfer their feelings about the subject to me and the class.
I pointed out that they had to have 2 science credits to get a diploma. Unless they were hot to take chemistry or physics, ES was their best bet for one.
The best way to live through the year would be to TRY their best to do the work. Don't spend their time causing troube. If they gave it their best shot, they might not be A students but they would live through the class. Most kids who flat out failed missed class, didn't turn in their work, and didn't care.
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This one may be the most important in a way.
The first month, I kept a fairly tight rein on the 9th graders. A counselor told me they got their way in the middle school they came from. I wanted them to know that I was serious about the rules I had. I gave detention, called their parents, had conferences, etc. This settled down about 99% of them for the rest of the year.
When I called their parents, i always started by saying , 'I need your help.' this wasn't some trick. I did want their help and I didn't want an adversarial relationship. Asking for their help was a good way to bring them into the discussion in a useful way. It didn't create me against them.
