First- Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win $25 off a Teacher Planner by Erin Condren!
Introduction:
I have been a substitute teacher for almost 6 years now. Teaching jobs in Ontario are very scarce right now, so I feel very lucky to even be able to do this. I had a long term contract for 8 months last year, in Grade 3 and 4 and I've discovered that being a regular classroom teacher is very different from being an occasional teacher. I loved every minute of it. I am qualified to teach from Kindergarten to Grade 10 and I currently work for two school boards, one French and one English.
I have been a substitute teacher for almost 6 years now. Teaching jobs in Ontario are very scarce right now, so I feel very lucky to even be able to do this. I had a long term contract for 8 months last year, in Grade 3 and 4 and I've discovered that being a regular classroom teacher is very different from being an occasional teacher. I loved every minute of it. I am qualified to teach from Kindergarten to Grade 10 and I currently work for two school boards, one French and one English.
Best Tip for Management:
I am a very organized and structured person by nature. I have found that being consistent with students is definitely the best thing for class management. When students know exactly what to expect and the boundaries are set early on, the school year goes by much more smoothly. Come up with class rules and consequences together with your students and have them sign a contract. Send the contract home for parents to sign as well. That way, there are no questions when a student breaks a rule and is given a consequence for it. Students learn to know what to expect from you and what is expected of them.
Must Have School Supply:
A label maker!
* I second that- I absolutely LOVE mine!
A label maker!
* I second that- I absolutely LOVE mine!
Blogs I follow (and you might want to as well ;)
Second Grade Nest http://secondgradenest.blogspot.ca/
Teaching FSL http://teachingfsl.blogspot.ca/
Chalk One Up for the Teacher http://chalkoneupfortheteacher.blogspot.ca/
Second Grade Nest http://secondgradenest.blogspot.ca/
Teaching FSL http://teachingfsl.blogspot.ca/
Chalk One Up for the Teacher http://chalkoneupfortheteacher.blogspot.ca/
How to stay organized?
Being organized is in my nature. My desk is always clean and clutter-free (I HATE clutter) and I think it helps in reducing my stress. I write everything down (on my large desk calendar, my day planner and personal planner). As a class, we take a few minutes at the end of the day to clean up the classroom and put everything back in it's place. I have a file folder on the corner of my desk and in it I place everything I need for the next few lessons in folders for each subject. I have rubrics for EVERYTHING and all my subjects are colour-coded. I do some filing and paper work every single day, that way it doesn't pile up on me.
Being organized is in my nature. My desk is always clean and clutter-free (I HATE clutter) and I think it helps in reducing my stress. I write everything down (on my large desk calendar, my day planner and personal planner). As a class, we take a few minutes at the end of the day to clean up the classroom and put everything back in it's place. I have a file folder on the corner of my desk and in it I place everything I need for the next few lessons in folders for each subject. I have rubrics for EVERYTHING and all my subjects are colour-coded. I do some filing and paper work every single day, that way it doesn't pile up on me.
Stress Management Advice:
The first month of school, I figured that I showed weakness if I asked for help. Boy did I struggle! I had no idea how many of my colleagues were willing to sit down with me and walk me through writing long range plans and help me build a literacy program! Don't be afraid to ask for help and accept it when people offer. We can all learn from each other and it's been my experience that teachers love to share ideas! Don't reinvent the wheel when it comes to lesson planning! If it's already created for you, use it!
The first month of school, I figured that I showed weakness if I asked for help. Boy did I struggle! I had no idea how many of my colleagues were willing to sit down with me and walk me through writing long range plans and help me build a literacy program! Don't be afraid to ask for help and accept it when people offer. We can all learn from each other and it's been my experience that teachers love to share ideas! Don't reinvent the wheel when it comes to lesson planning! If it's already created for you, use it!
Interview Tip:
I have been on many interviews and have learned to be myself. Go prepared with answers, but don't worry if you have to take a couple of minutes to answer a question. If you honestly don't know the answer, say so and add that you're interested in learning more about it and ask where you can read about it. Stay calm, relaxed and smile a lot. Try to make them laugh. It helps to have a professional portfolio (a series coming to my blog soon!) with you to refer to while answering questions.
I have been posting interview questions on my blog in a 6 part series! This is Part 5 of 6!
LOVE this series!!
I have been on many interviews and have learned to be myself. Go prepared with answers, but don't worry if you have to take a couple of minutes to answer a question. If you honestly don't know the answer, say so and add that you're interested in learning more about it and ask where you can read about it. Stay calm, relaxed and smile a lot. Try to make them laugh. It helps to have a professional portfolio (a series coming to my blog soon!) with you to refer to while answering questions.
I have been posting interview questions on my blog in a 6 part series! This is Part 5 of 6!
LOVE this series!!
Advice for first year of Teaching:
Believe it or not, I didn't become aware of sites like Teachers Pay Teachers and of teaching blogs until the summer AFTER I was done my contract. If I had known about it before, I would've been able to find TONS of resources and I wouldn't have had to spend so many hours creating things that were already out there! Take advantage of what people have to offer! Eventually, you'll be able to offer them just as much!
Believe it or not, I didn't become aware of sites like Teachers Pay Teachers and of teaching blogs until the summer AFTER I was done my contract. If I had known about it before, I would've been able to find TONS of resources and I wouldn't have had to spend so many hours creating things that were already out there! Take advantage of what people have to offer! Eventually, you'll be able to offer them just as much!
Great advice once again! Don't forget to fill out the form if you want to be featured! :)
Thank you for featuring me!! :)
ReplyDeleteRenee
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