66: Tips for New Teachers (with Sam Fecich)
Dr. Sam Fecich - professor of education, author, podcaster, and speaker - shares her contagious enthusiasm and practical tips for new teachers as they enter their first classrooms, as well as preservice educators who are preparing to teach someday.
- “You’ve taught before, you’ve worked with students before, but now it’s your classroom!”
- “Keeping families involved in their child’s education [...] is a great predictor of attendance and success in the classroom, no matter what grade or subject area that you teach.”
- “When you’re transitioning from student teaching into being a first-year teacher, start the job search process as early as possible. Look for schools that feed your teaching soul, that support your teaching philosophy.”
- “Your classroom does not need to be Pinterest perfect from day one.”
- Tips new teachers: Familiarize yourself with the curriculum, get to know your students and other staff, and look for additional resources
- “Make those small movements toward building relationships with students before or during day one, but it’s not something that ends after that first week; we get to keep knowing our students throughout that school year.”
- Tips for preservice teachers: Set up professional social media accounts, create and maintain a digital portfolio, connect with other educators online, and look for opportunities to present content at conferences or in written form
- Find out about Sam’s podcast and book on her website: https://www.sfecich.com/
- Edumagic: A Guide for Preservice Teachers and Edumagic Shine On: A Guide for New Teachers
- “You are strong, you are brave, you are courageous. You can do this!”
Connect with Sam on Instagram (@sfecich)!
What’s changing our lives:
- Keane: Homemade kimchi
- Heather: Nylon hair ties
- Sam: Chocolate buckeye pie
Weekly Spotlight: Virunga Valley Academy
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