543: Twitter Chat #Satchat

 I participated in the #satchat this morning.  The topic was about helping first year teachers.  I think this chat was very powerful and applied to all teachers, not just first year teachers.  This was especially interesting to me, because I am moving from teaching second grade in Wyoming to teaching fifth grade reading in Florida.  It will be like being a first year teacher all over again.  Here are the questions and answers from the chat.

Your First Year: How to Survive and Thrive as a New Teacher 

Q1: How can administrators support new teachers?

• Set them up with a mentor, provide PD, let them know it's ok to make mistakes, building relationships with new teachers, be visible and approachable, getting into the classroom and actually supporting the teacher in a non-threatening way.

Q2: What are some classroom management tips for first year teachers?

• Build relationships with your students, take the first 20 days to set your classroom routines and procedures, learn to set limits when it comes to extra duties, be clear about your expectations from students,engaging lessons engage students, over-planning is ok, contact parents with a positive phone call or note home in the first two weeks-then the dreaded behavior call is easier to make.

Q3: How can first year teachers prepare for and respond to discipline issues?

• Build relationships with students and set clear expectations, make positive phone calls home before a negative one is made, don't take conflicts personally, learn what needs to be address immediately and what can wait, pick your battles, have clear discipline rules, give specific feedback, students have a good sense of classrooms that are structured, have value, and prioritize relationships.

Q4: What are some lesson planning tips for first year teachers?

• It is better to plan too much than too little, plan your talking points and questions- 70% of unplanned questions have closed answers, it is ok to steal ideas and lessons from other teachers, let the students make some decisions about the learning, plan brain breaks, use music and movement, plan with your team, 

Q5: How can we help first year teachers use tweaks and resets?

• Remind new teachers that Rome was not built in a day, encourage them to reflect honestly every day, model for them how you reflect on what went well and what did not, make sure they do not feel ashamed when a reset is needed, discuss data and formative assessment with them, show them that a reteach is ok, show them that tweaks and resets are good for us all.

Q6: If you could give one piece of advice to first year teachers, what would it be?

• Never give up, be reflective, always try to be better than you were yesterday, take care of yourself, take time to disconnect, don't be afraid to say "no" when you are getting stretched too thin, you are having a positive impact even when you botch a lesson, get connected-form a PLN, ask for help, show your students when you make mistakes.