Teacher for the 1st time!!!!?

Question

I was only doing private tutoring but next week am starting a new job teaching classrooms of 20 students grade 8? should I be worried? am I gonna make it?

Answer 1

no dear friend

just relax u'll make it ;)

Answer 2

Don't be worried! You will make it! The more you focus on not making it, the more you will fool yourself into thinking you can't.  Remember, you can do anything for 8 hours a day! ;) Look to this as an exciting new opportunity where you will learn a lot.  

Yes, they say (and it is true) that the first year of teaching is the hardest, but I will tell you I loved my first year.  You learn a lot, and it is harder than the other years.  But that's the way it is with any job.   It takes time and experience to become good at something.  If you don't stick it out, you'll never know how good you can be.  Don't stress about doing something wrong or making a mistake.  We all do! Just keep your chin up and remember you learn as you go!

Answer 3

you will be fine.  Just make sure you are consistent from DAY 1 - know what your classroom management will be and stick to it.

Answer 4

I was an eighth grade English teacher for five years.  Loved it.  At times it was difficult.  Different groups have different personalities, and it changes every years.  I learned very early that what is necessary to get by is to set the rule (that's not a typo) early and set it fast.  My only rule was two part and was communicated with one word.  Respect.  I got the idea on the way to class one day when Ms. Aretha Franklin was on the radio singing about it.  I got a copy of the song the next day and played it when they were coming into the classroom.  Huge hit.  I had them make posters with descriptions, written and pictoral, of how to demostrate respect.  I made a poster of my own that read as follows:

The rule:

1. Respect

a.  Respect yourself.

b.  Respect everyone else how you want to be respected.

When we were done with the posters, we put them on the ceiling tiles and they remained there for the rest of the year.  Every year after that, I started the year with the same exercise.

Remember that eighth graders are largely just starting to explore the world outside themselves and their families.  You are part of that exploration.  You can be a guide or a hurdle.  Trust me, be the guide, it's more fun and more productive.  if you are having fun, they will too.

Use music every chance you get.  Any music, all music.  Someone above said something to the effect to never let them see you worried.  Bull!  Let them see you be a real person.  Some will try to take advantage of that.  Refer them to the rule.  Let them determine how it should be addressed.

One last thing.  When a student misbehaved in my class, he or she got a warning, and I usually pointed up to the posters.  If it occurred again, I asked them if they wanted a phone call made to their home -- but I explained that I didn't call parents about "buttheaded behavior" (Yes, I used that term), I only dialed the phone.  I warned them that they would do the talking.  Usually, that got the point accross.  Only three students in five years ever tested me on that.  None of the three ever did it a second time.  A parent of one of the three did complain to me that I bothered her at work for such a trivial thing.  I explained to her that her child had bothered me at work for such a trivial thing and that her child was not the sole receiver of my work.  I invited her to speak to the other parents.  She declined.  Two of those students graduate college next year.  One did two years ago and is now an English teacher himself.

Grow from your students' successes, learn and grow even more from their failures.

I would offer good luck, but luck has nothing to do with it.  I envy you.  Have fun.  Truly.

Hey! I found this.  If I was still teaching, I would use this rather than the audio.  Should be easy to download and project or show on a TV.  I know eighth graders would love it.  It's cheesey like they are.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...

Answer 5

It'll be tough. I hope you've had the appropriate training and that you're prepared to work hard for the first year. Be firm but fair then you should be ok.

Answer 6

i'm an 8th grade teacher- first few days get to know yr students learning styles- give a survey

give out syllabus and rules

create an opening assignment to assess where they are

decide test dates and office hours.

tell them how they can succeed in yr class and what not to do to not succeed.

do not lecture to 8th graders for more than 10 min - then get them to do the activity-

u may want to use whiteboards to get immediate understanding feedback of material taught.

create and teach them some non verbal  signals the first day or so- practice them with the class so u never have to shout.

drink lots of water

Answer 7

I am going to be a 10th grader, but I remember my 8th grade year. Basically, there were teachers that we respected and those we trampled over. If you are stern (but not crazy strict), your students will respect you. Don't worry about whether your students like you...most students never like their teachers. The ones that we do like are the ones who have no rules and barely teach. The only reason we like them is because we can get away with anything and take complete advantage of them. Don't worry, you'll be fine!!

Good luck!

Answer 8

Read "The First Days of School" by Harry Wong

Or visit this site

http://teachers.net/gazette/AUG00/wong.h...

for tips etc...don't be worried. Just smile and you'll be great :)

Answer 9

It's natural to be a little tense in the beginning, just don't let your students sense it ! Step in the classroom with confidence, get through the introductions and be well prepared with your lesson plans. You'll be fine. Good luck.