CHAPTER 14 Collin College EDUC 1301 What Can the New Teacher Expect?

I. Welcome II. Chapter 14 – What Can the New Teacher Expect? A. Culture Shock B. Principals & Other Administrators C. Suggestions for a Good Start Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 The school milieu: The shock of the familiar  Administrators: A mixed bag  Peers: A mixed blessing  Students: Friends or fiends?  Instruction: So much to learn  Parents: Allies with different agendas Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 You only think you know “School”  Completely new situation from the “Other Side of the Desk”  Full-time teaching AND brand new-job  Not unlike the feelings of new immigrants  You Know You’re In Trouble When…” (p462) Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 Think of a time when you may have experienced culture shock, and try to remember, in as much detail as possible, how it made you feel.  Dei you experience any sense of disorientation or depression during your initial months at college? Which strategies did you find helpful in getting oriented? Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 Official leaders  Helpers  Policymakers  Crisis managers  Facilitators  Reward dispensers  Judges  Buffers  Sacrificial lambs Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 In pairs, read silently either Steve Mellonwood or Victoria Klarfeld case studies (one reading each)  Answer Case Questions Has your past experiences with administrators left you with particular attitudes or perceptions? What are they? As a new teacher, what do you hope most to receive from an administrator? Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 Advice on dealing with specialized problems  Arranging contact with specialists  Demonstration lessons or special presentations  Focused feedback Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 Attitudes toward students get much less positive in first year of teaching Idealism during teacher training Forget realities of own childhood Just trying to survive first year  Positive attitudes return Never reach same levels  It is easy to be brave from a safe distance. AESOP Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

New teachers may have:  Inexperience being in charge Unused to managing groups, giving orders May believe student misbehavior is teacher’s fault  Difficulty establishing correct social distance May hide insecurities by being too businesslike, aloof If young, easy to be too friendly  Never let students use your first name  Risk of sexual attraction with older students/younger teachers Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 Teach your very best lesson.  Establish class rules and procedures.  “If you wish to know who a man is, place him in authority.” Yugoslav Proverb  Start learning and using students’ names.  Be friendly but businesslike.  Share with students your vision for the year ahead.  Establish procedures for communicating with parents. Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 When in doubt, think.  Don’t look for love in the classroom Have you considered the issue of social distance between teacher and students?  Deal with your authority problems before entering the classroom  If you’re not organized, get organized.  Love thy school secretaries & custodians  Focus on learning  “High expectations are the key to everything.” Sam Walton  Don’t get married two weeks before the start of your first teaching job. Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 Avoid being in a private space alone with a student for ANY reason.  Do not give students your home or cell number, or personal Facebook, Twitter, etc.  Avoid being in a car alone with a student.  Carefully log anything of a sexual nature that occurs in your classroom and discuss with an administrator.  Avoid speaking about sexual topics or using sexually charged language around students Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 Varying perceptions  Judgments on students  Social class and experience differences  Overburdened parents  The pain of change Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

 Commit for two years.  Begin now.  Keep a teaching journal.  Have the proper frame of mind.  Find a mentor.  Make your students’ parents your allies.  Take evaluation seriously.  Do NOTHING else the first year  Take care of yourself – Take All Your Sick Days Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

See “Our Final Word”, page Read all the green quotes in Chapter 14. “I touch the future. I teach.” Christa McAuliffe Copyright by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved