Tomorrow I start my 25th year in teaching. I would like to share some of the things I learned, hopefully there will be something here that might help the less experienced. #edchat
Be confident in the classroom. Students need the reassurance that you are in control of yourself and the room. I don't mean be strict, I mean be in control. #edchat
Respect the students but also have fun with them. You are going to be spending a lot of time with them, many of you will see them more than their parents for 9 months. Be joyful in their presence. #edchat
You will screw up. You will have days you make mistakes and lash out at your students or adults. Apologize, make amends that you can and then move on. Tomorrow will be better. #edchat
Find someone to talk to, but don't always make that person your spouse. Teaching is emotionally challenging and we can be very intense. #edchat
Please remember that to have a successful career in education you have to view it as a marathon, not a sprint. You will improve slowly, you will be so much better at this in 5 years and even better in 10. #edchat
Don't compare yourself to other teachers. Those rock star teachers you think are so great may not be. They may talk a good game, or they may be burning themselves out looking to advance. #edchat
Also, don't think other teachers are worse than you. They may not teach like you, but they are reaching children you never will. We are all working for the better good of our students. Stay humble. #edchat
Finally, you will be one small piece of your students' lives. Their success or failure will not rely solely on the year they spend with you. You will neither save nor ruin them. Just do your best. #edchat
