Be a Sponge

As a first year teacher, everything is new: meetings, teams, curriculum, teacher interactions, student interactions, etc. Try to view every single situation at school as an opportunity to learn. Take a time the first year to absorb everything; be a sponge. As a new teacher, one of the best ways to truly get better is to be observed and given feedback. One may end up in a school that already has structures in place to make sure one is regularly observed. Take next piece of 'sponge' advice seriously: do not over work yourself. If opportunities to try new things arise, encourage one to explore them. Join new committees. Volunteer to work those events after school. Be willing to stretch outside of classroom. It is an amazing way to better understand how school works and to meet and interact with new people.