New teachers face many challenges in the classroom, but recordkeeping should not be one of them. With a bit of preparation, your classroom can be run efficiently with little effort, allowing you to cultivate an atmosphere that promotes learning.
Keep Great Records
Keeping clear and accurate records is an essential part of a teacher's job. Many things occur in the course of the school day that require documentation, from attendance to seating arrangements to lesson plans and incidence reports.
Records may be kept as hardcopies - notebooks, planners, forms, etc., or on software. Recordkeeping binders and divider sets help with this. It is always an excellent idea to keep these records on file so that you can refer to them at a later date. A centralized system will allow you to keep vital pieces of information organized and safe.
We have everything you need to keep outstanding records and have a well-organized office. Check out Carstens for supplies like open binder racks or to get more information.
Recordkeeping Tips
Records are a vital part of your student's success. With these tips, you can track your students' achievements or help them in areas they struggle.
Stay Organized
A disorganized teacher can be a headache for school officials, students, and parents. Try to keep track of your tasks with efficient note-taking, lists, and documentation. This will keep your mind clear for the more essential task of educating your class. Your organized plans can bring consistency and reliability.
Keep Track of Lesson Plans
Record keeping is an excellent way to keep track of your lesson plans for the year. Establish a master calendar so you can view the year's lesson plans and your progress at any point during the year and consider having a lesson plan binder for storing your plans and printables. You'll be thankful you did this when you have a guide you can follow in subsequent years.
Document Classroom Policies
It's a great idea to determine how you'll handle classroom situations before they arise—issues like late homework, make-up work, attendance, and basic classroom rules. You can establish these policies on your own and with the cooperation of the class. Once they've been decided, document them. When you clearly post your rules, it eliminates any confusion with your students or their parents.
More Tips for New Teachers
Along with record keeping, here are a few more things you can do to become a better teacher.
Establish a Rapport with Parents
Dealing with parents may not always be easy, but it's always necessary. You're both after the same thing - the best for the student. In most cases, they want to help. So keep them in the loop of their child's academic progress and any other issues that arise. Establishing a positive relationship with the parents of your students will be rewarding for all concerned.
Seek a Mentor
Mentorship can be invaluable for new teachers. An experienced teacher can pass on wisdom, sound strategies, and give great advice to a less experienced teacher. You may feel overwhelmed at times, but having someone to talk to who has been this way before can help you mature as a teacher sooner. Many studies have shown that mentoring programs are of significant benefit to beginning teachers and their students.
If your school does not have a mentoring program, you might want to suggest one for your facility.
Plan Classroom Management with High Expectations
When you set out a challenge to the students, they will often rise to the occasion. Students need to have clear and high expectations in the classroom. These high expectations show confidence in the students' abilities to perform and behave well. Once that is established, you will have an easier time managing things. Have the class expectations posted for all to see. Your students will benefit from your clarity and consistency.
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Establish Positive Relationships with Students
You might not believe it, but you can create a better relationship with your students when you come to school every day with a positive attitude. Not only will they respond better to your teaching methods, but you will earn their respect and loyalty. Think of ways to show your students that they genuinely matter to you and you want the best for them. Consider offering tutoring sessions for those who are struggling, extra credit assignments, make-up homework, and other strategies that help students help themselves.
Have Fun with Students
Learning should be fun as well as rigorous, and it is your responsibility to make sure your students experience both. When you create an exciting lesson plan, this is an opportunity for you to have some fun with your students. Show them that learning can be enjoyable and that the things they learn have real-world applications. Additionally, offer incentives and rewards for exceptional performance or behavior - relevant to each student's ability. You'll find that your creativity in the classroom will only grow and expand. Soon other teachers will be asking your advice for fun lessons.
Collaborate with Other Teachers
Think of other teachers as your comrades in arms - you're in this together. Fellow teachers may have advice or ideas that can be valuable to you. Don't be afraid to reach out with your questions. Everyone has questions when they first start, and you might be surprised at how willing other teachers are to share their knowledge with you. As with all advice, sort through it and take only the best bits. Teacher collaborations can also help you create effective lesson plans and 'tried and proven' student activities.
Plan for the Year
When you get caught up in those day-to-day challenges of teaching, it can be difficult to keep up with your lesson plans and keep track of your long-term goals. So consider planning the entire school year ahead of time - in broad strokes. Of course, you will have to make it more specific for each week and day, but a general outline is easier to fill in than a blank page. Before the school year begins, make sure to take a few weeks to develop a lesson plan for the whole year.
Address Misbehavior Quickly and Appropriately
While you want to be a great teacher, you are still the adult in the room. You should never let inappropriate behavior slide in your classroom. Your students depend on you for their safety and protection while in the class. So whether the misbehavior is directed at you, another student, or just generalized annoyance, deal with it consistently and in accordance with your already established classroom rules. Safety and a distraction-free space are major components of a great learning environment.
Be Positive
Teaching can be challenging, and becoming despondent can happen faster than you realize. However, maintaining a positive attitude and a pleasant demeanor will go a long way in making the days more productive and enjoyable for you and your students. Make a big deal when your students do well - it will encourage and inspire them (and you).
Final Thoughts
These tips will be a great help to you as a new teacher. Remember that record keeping and having the correct record keeping tools is vital. Find a mentor or engage with other more experienced teachers and keep a positive attitude about your work. Have a great school year!
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