Generation Next
'Wonderful things happened to remind me why I teach'
The memory from two years ago
remains vivid. I was very excited. A
couple days before the start of the school
year, I signed my first-ever contract to
begin my teaching career.
In the next 48 hours, I would unpack years of collected classroom items, hang up my students’ names—written on die cuts of cute bumblebees—and plan for the day when eager students would arrive at my door.
I’ll say it again—I WAS EXCITED! Little did I know, within the first week, I would have my first student get sick in the classroom. Within the first two months, I would have a grade level meeting outdoors and seat my students on an active bees nest, sending kids scurrying to the office left and right.
And within the year, I would learn that
no matter what happened I still looked
forward to the excitement and responsibility
of teaching my students.
I never had a bad day during my first year. I taught 26 third-graders in my room, and I enjoyed every one of them. Oh, for sure, some days were tougher than others, and there were days I would go home in tears with the inward feeling that I was failing my students.
Other days I sat at my desk stressing over my workload. Then there were always those days I felt lost and confused. And sometimes I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t doing enough for my students.
Still, every morning I went to school excited to start over and try again.
Over the course of the year, wonderful things happened in my classroom, reminding me exactly why I wanted to teach. A student aced a science test for the first time all year. Another student told me she looked forward to coming to school every day to get a hug. A parent was impressed that I knew so much about my students.
I would look at the bumblebee die cuts hung on my door and realize each one of those students was being affected by me. You begin to feel like you are succeeding with your students, and you begin to realize how your students are feeling in your classroom as well.
Now, my third year in the classroom, I still get nervous before a parent meeting, although I have a better appreciation for their perspective.
I still catch myself looking around the room and remembering I am responsible for the future of these children. I still get stressed, but every day I get up, excited to do my job.
The job of a beginning teacher isn’t easy. After all, I am still learning. Some days you may feel that being stung by a bee would be better than having to overcome the challenges facing you. Some days you’ll want to scream, cry and pull your hair out. (I know—I’m being a bit over-dramatic here; other beginning teachers may be cooler and calmer and breeze through the school year.)
You’ll face some criticism. It happens. My advice: Think about it, reflect on the advice given to you, and use it to make yourself a better teacher.
And then be excited to try again the next day.