People who don’t teach would say that you’re lucky to work in a school. You get summers off, you don’t work weekends, you have the same big holidays off as everyone else.
They don’t see the papers brought home or the planning time devoted. They don’t see the frightened parent who wants to know why their child isn’t learning the same as other kids. They don’t seem the mountain of responsibilities being added to the typical teacher’s workload.
When you are a new teacher, things can seem overwhelming. Setting up expectations in your classroom, being observed, keeping up with the curriculum, and managing relationships with colleagues and families.
Sometimes it might feel like you need luck on your side.
“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity”-Seneca
New teachers!
I beg of you to find time in your day to get at least one thing done to further yourself in your career. One thing compounded over the course of a school year will lead to exponential growth both as a teacher and as a person. There will be easy distractions some days, and pressing distractions on others. Find the time within each of those kinds of days and get one thing done.
Look how to extend today’s good lesson into tomorrow.
Reach out and observe a colleague when you get stuck with how to teach a topic.
Find inspiration in a book.
Read an article or watch a TED talk to find other perspectives and see how they can change your mind within the classroom.
Connect with a family when their child is doing well- it makes a world of difference later on.
These are all simple ways to get one thing done a day. Make your own luck by preparing yourself daily to be available for whatever opportunity comes your way.
