The Alberta Teachers’ Association

1. Find an informal mentor if your school or district does not have a formal mentoring program. Don’t wait until you feel isolated.
2. Manage your classroom. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you need advice, ask a colleague.
3. Ask a colleague and usually you shall receive, providing your request is reasonable.
4.  Stay healthy. Never take your health for granted. Take a break for yourself every day, even if it’s a short one. Your students need a healthy teacher.
5. Do not reinvent the wheel when it comes to planning. Many teachers have gone before you and are willing to share their ­knowledge. Find out from your mentor where to find the ­information you require.
6. Ask your colleagues about reporting procedures, preparing for parent–teacher interviews and communicating with parents. ­Remember, there are no silly questions, especially when it comes to parent–teacher interviews.
7. Do not take your mentor for granted. Remember, he or she ­probably has a full-time teaching load as well. Be respectful of his or her time and try to contribute in kind whenever you can.
8. Act with integrity. Remain professional in your words, actions and dress—even if others may not.
9. Meet with your peers. You are not alone.
10. Communicate your thanks and apologize when necessary. These actions will go a long way with your colleagues, students and ­others in the school community.

What is the best piece of advice you could give to a new teacher?

The Alberta Teachers’ Association invited teachers attending the Beginning Teachers’ Conference, October 17, in Calgary, to answer the question: “What is the best piece of advice you could give to a new teacher?” Featured here is a selection of responses from Facebook and Twitter.

Become a fan of the ATA on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com and searching “The Alberta Teachers’ Association.” Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/albertateachers.

Facebook Comments

Colleen Keane-Yoshida: Take care of yourself—don’t take on ­everything, but do get involved in something.

Nan Nassef: Prioritize sleeping, eating and exercise. The rest will work itself out.

Kim Nicholls: Realize that rapport with your students cannot be underestimated. The curriculum will take care of itself when you can work with the kids.

Kristopher Wells: Know your teaching philosophy and let it guide you.

Christine Marlowe: Focus on the things you can do, not on the things you can’t.

Ruth Lomenda: Keep in mind why you chose teaching in the first place. It’s a privilege to work with young minds and fresh faces!

Luigi Pollio:  When people give you grief about all those holidays, nod and smile. You know you earned every one of them.

Twitter Replies

DaveHancockMLA @albertateachers Bring your passion to work every day

son2kat @albertateachers There’s no one right way 2 teach. Engage your students, know their learning styles + your content—you’ll be great!

schill_dawg @albertateachers My advice is to ask as many questions as possible about how your school operates! Knowledge is power.

Gaiaellyn @albertateachers Breathe easy, trust your intuition and honour the child before all else! I have had the privilege of teaching for 21 years.

JohnFerg @albertateachers You can never stop learning.  

Neilstephenson @albertateachers There are no easy answers in teaching and learning. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.


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