Thread by @NicholasFerroni

I've been teaching for over 20 years, and these are 8 rules I live by:

1. Spend the first week or two learning about each of your students—their passions and concerns. This effort will make your school year smoother because your students will know that you genuinely care.

2. Positive First Contact with Parents/Guardians: Take the time to call each of your students' parents or guardians, introduce yourself, and share a little about who you are. Your first interaction should be positive, not negative.

3. Embrace Risks in Your Teaching: Don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things in your classroom. Even if some of them fail, the experience will be valuable.

4. Adapt to Different Class Dynamics: Understand that a lesson that works well with one class might not resonate with another. Each class has its own dynamics, so be prepared to adjust your teaching methods accordingly.

5. Avoid Comparisons: Don’t compare yourself to other teachers or measure your worth by what they do or post. We all have our unique strengths and weaknesses.

6. Don’t Take It Personally: Never take things personally, especially when it comes to student behavior.

7. Recognize and Celebrate Progress: Throughout the year, reach out to parents/guardians to let them know when their child is doing well or showing improvement. This positive feedback means a lot to both parents and students.

8. Acknowledge Your Own Ups and Downs: Like your students, you will have good days and bad days. You may even question if you’re making a difference—know that you are.