The Art of Becoming a Successful New Teacher

By: Dr. Stephen Jones

Everyday new teachers are faced with the challenge of adjusting to a new career.  It seems that every school has its own structure and availability of teaching resources may be limited.  In these challenging times teachers are reinvesting some of their own pay into their classroom.  Making the right choices and finding the best practices to use in the classroom is extremely important. Successful teachers must have a plan.

One of the first steps is writing down goals that you plan to achieve during the school year.  This is the best way to create effective lesson plans.  Your goals should guide how you will present information and what you will present.  There should always be some materials that you use to supplement the instruction that you plan to provide.  Your goals should be short term and long term goals for the school year.  You need to assess the skills that your students are bringing to the  classroom and how you will teach them new information.

Making the right choices to deliver instruction that’s engaging to every student during the early part of the school year is important.  That’s why it is critical to keep your students in mind as your instruction is unfolding.  For example some teachers are getting real time feedback from students to determine what they are learning.  Each student is given a clicker to answer several questions that are asked during class time.  The teacher can look at the results to make changes to their instruction.

Preparation for an outstanding year is the key to maintaining your enthusiasm.  An inspired teacher has made up in their mind that every day is a good day to teach.  They are continually reading and researching books for personal and professional development.  They research new materials that  other instructors are using.  An important factor to remember is that all students have different learning styles.  Some students are able to memorize important facts from seeing it.  Another student is tactile and they need to touch and experience things that they use in the classroom.  Another student might be an auditory learner.  This student enjoys hearing instruction and stories and they can easily remember information. Keep your teaching style versatile.

A successful new teacher must not be afraid to ask questions and learn from more seasoned teachers.  In fact, it is a wise teacher that does not isolate themselves when they arrive at a new school.  Instead, gather as much information about the successes and challenges that the school is facing.  Then talk to other teachers. The best thing about gathering this information is that you can identify a mentor who can be helpful to you.  Although you have your own unique style you can also get some great advice.

It’s important to continually gain skills in classroom management.  When you are organized and prepared your students benefit.  You are also a role model to students who may need to get organized.  Managing your class also involves getting to know students and their parents.  The parents can help you to eliminate distractions.  They can set clear expectations regarding their child’s behavior while in the classroom.  Let your lessons be so engaging that there is fruitful learning occurring in the classroom at all times.

Finally let this be a time when you are establishing a pattern of creativity and innovation in your classroom.  Search for some of the best teachers and professors and consult with them.  It’s always good to be inquisitive about new teaching techniques.  Go to each teacher development session with an agenda to gather information that you will use in the classroom.  The measure of your success will be the enthusiasm that you spark in each child.

Dr. Stephen Jones

A nationally recognized education and career expert. He is associate dean in the College of Engineering at Villanova University and owner of SAJ Publishing. He is the author of “The Seven Secrets of How to Study,” “The Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide” and “Ultimate  Scholarship Guide.”