How to Avoid the First-year Burnout
Every teacher in their first school year will experience the highs and the lows of the profession. There will be moments when you’ve really connected with a particular student and all your hard work to be in front of a classroom is rewarded. But there is always a flip side and it can be ugly. The key is to realize there is a common ground between these extremes and here are some tips for avoiding the burnout after your first year:
- Positive attitudes are contagious. It’s imperative that you maintain a positive outlook on life in the classroom and out of it. To achieve the proper balance between the good and the bad sides of teaching you’ll have to stay positive; this also means it’s a good idea to surround yourself with positive people as well. The adage, “misery loves company,” is true and if you are negative you’re bound to be seek out negative companions. Avoid this at all costs.
- Manage your time wisely. If you have a free period during the day use it to prepare for a class later that day or tomorrow. You’ll be shocked at how much you can get done in a small period of time. Avoid the urge to slack off when you do get these free moments.
- Organization is key. Students can smell fear and they’ll exploit it anytime they can. If you’re caught off guard because you can’t find materials you were going to use for a lesson you’ll appear to be frazzled and this will picked up by your students in a second. Your classroom is your office space, have a place for everything and put everything in its place.
- There are no stupid questions. The first year in any job is going to foster a tremendous amount of uncertainty for anyone. This is especially true for a teacher on the job for the first time. Don’t be afraid to lean on more experienced faculty members when you encounter an issue you’re unsure how to handle. There are many tricks to the trade but you’ll never learn them if you don’t ask for help. Remember that the other teachers around you are on your team and are eager to pass on their knowledge to the low man on the totem pole.
- Your health is crucial to your success. It’s extremely important that you’re physically prepared as well as mentally prepared each day you come to school. Get plenty of rest and eat healthy. If you can maintain your diet and exercise routine you’ll feel better about yourself and it will prepare you for the rigorous school years that are in front of you!
Susan Jacobs is a freelance writer as well as a regular contributor for CollegeDegree.com, a site helping students to lean more about distance learning colleges. Susan invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address susan.jacobs45@gmail.com.
3 comments April 7th, 2008
