February 9, 2023

Ten tips for new teachers

Axioms That Lead to Success
1. Be a person of integrity.
Students will follow in your footsteps, including the ones that you cover up.
2. Study student behavior.
Listen to and watch your students carefully. Their behavior will let you know what they need.
3. The best sermon is a good example.
In the rehearsal room, it is better to demonstrate a performance-based concept than to explain it with words.
4. Seek contentedness while being discerning.
If you encounter a season in life where you feel like you need to move on, make sure that you are relocating for the right reasons. (Many teachers who hop from job to job deny themselves the opportunity to grow. Remember, adversity brings about strength.)
5. Keep balance in life.
As Mr. Miyagi told Daniel-san in the Karate Kid, “Lesson for whole life. Whole life have a balance. Everything be better.”
6. Have fun!
During my years as a band director, I established a tradition called Disco Friday. Each Friday after school, I would turn off the band room lights, blast disco music, and fire up the strobe lights and disco ball. (My students looked at it as a fun way to start the weekend. I looked at it as a way to get them into the band room to take their instruments home for weekend practice!)
7. When is doubt, reach out to mates and mentors.
There is wisdom in counsel. (Proverbs 11:14)
8. Befriend secretaries and custodians.
These are the miracle workers in your school. Show them courtesy and respect by thanking them and by providing them with sufficient time to solve problems.
9. WHAT is better than WHY.
When investigating a student issue, ask what and not why. For example, if a student is tardy, simply say, “I noticed that you entered the classroom late. What happened?” (Asking why challenges one’s integrity and usually leads to a cover-up.)
10. Do good.
When you do good work, that pleases God. And, when God is pleased, you can be pleased, too.
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