New Teachers and the Little Things

 

I just got back home from an incredible two-weeks on-site in the model classroom with the students from the Rising Tide Montessori 3-6 teacher training. Their community is truly lovely and a mix of traditional educators, special education specialists, classroom assistants, parents, and those stepping into the classroom as the lead for the first time.

We had rich dialogues about the realities of the classroom and how to navigate certain difficulties as a new Montessori Guide starting out.  This got me thinking about a moment in my past where something little would have gone a long way.

There is a chance that you may be welcoming a new teacher to your school. This person might be new to teaching, or perhaps just taking the position in a new prepared environment for them.  If you have been in the classroom, this new teacher was you once upon a time.

Here is my story: I was a 5-year veteran in the 3-6 classroom and starting at a new school.  This school was a 45-minute commute, one way, in an area I was unfamiliar with at a school that (if I am being honest) I had never heard of before.  I was also returning to full-time after having a baby.  It was a lot and I was nervous and excited. Luckily, all of the Primary teachers had been there for a couple of years to a lot more and were kind. I picked up my children in the cafeteria that morning and we were off to have a great first day of getting to know each other.

We did have a great day, lunch went alright and the playground too.  We had special area classes in the afternoon, this was new for me, but I had a schedule and another class to go with. No problem! The afternoon wore on and I remember feeling, "Wow, it feels like we should be at the end of the day." And then I realized...I knew when and where the day started, when and where to get the lunches for the children, when and where to go for specials, but NOT when the day ended and where to take the children!!! I looked out my window and the other classrooms were dark. They were all GONE! My pod of teachers left with their children for dismissal without me. Ugh! I felt terrible as I rushed to get my kiddos packed up and wandered out into this giant campus to figure out where to go.  We made it and weren't too behind, but I was embarrassed. 

It's the little things that really help a new teacher. Support them by reviewing the time markers in the day and where to find/take things like laundry and dishes. Walk through the arrival and dismissal procedures. And pop in to check in on them during that first day.  I promise you, it will be appreciated. And don't forget to tell them what time dismissal is. 😉

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New goodies in the shop! 

Consumables Inventory

An Excel sheet with color-coded drop-downs to keep track of the consumables for Practical Life, Art, Sewing, Language, Mathematics, and Geography! Use digitally or print out to keep in your closet/cupboard!

Group/circle Time for the Year!

 New themes each month! Geographical focus with diverse regional artists, songs, and poems with links, a changing music genre focus with a Spotify playlist for each!  This Word file can be customized to fit your classroom.  Love the template and want to do the planning yourself?  The shop has a blank template for you to try as well!