If you're new to the classroom...

Whether you are a student teacher or in your first paid teaching assignment, there are a number of issues that deserve your attention. Here are some things to keep in mind as you begin your career as a teacher:

Work and play well with others

Find a mentor. Regardless of whether your school district assigns you a mentor as part of a formal mentoring program, it’s useful to have someone to provide guidance and the benefit of experience. There’s more to successfully navigating a new position than just knowing where the coffee is; find a successful veteran who is well regarded by his/her peers and make a new friend. An experienced educator may serve not only as a tremendous resource for materials and ideas, but also as part of a much needed support network.

Recognize your probationary status. Understand that the first couple of years of your employment are the legal equivalent of a “test drive.” Under the statutes governing teacher contracts, you are a probationary employee. As such, you will likely be scrutinized more carefully than a veteran employee, since it’s legally easier to make a change while you are still on probationary status and, as the term implies, they’re trying you out. Your contract can be nonrenewed at the end of the school for any reason or no reason while on probationary status, as long as you are not the victim of illegal discrimination under federal law. This means that even if you think you’re doing a good job, if your principal doesn’t like you or you aren’t regarded as working well with others, you may find yourself seeking employment elsewhere. As a result, we suggest:

• Avoid antagonizing your principal, if at all possible. This may not be the time to complain loudly in a faculty meeting. The person with the most influence on the decision of whether your employment is continued is going to be your campus principal, so be mindful of the balance of power.

• Make a concerted effort to work well with all of your colleagues, from your fellow teachers to the classroom aides to the principal’s secretary. A successful career in a district begins with what is perceived as a “good fit” between you and the rest of the faculty.

Address issues quickly when they arise

Deal with parental complaints professionally and promptly. Many parents are wary of new teachers to begin with, knowing that your experience is limited. If you fail to address any concerns they raise, their next stop is likely to be the principal’s office. “Too many parental complaints” is a reason often cited when probationary teachers are not invited to return to their employing district.

Pay attention to any red flags regarding your performance. Even if the concerns are not documented in writing, if your principal or another supervisor comments critically on your performance in any regard, whether it’s cutting it close on your arrival time each morning or maintaining discipline in the classroom, take heed and make appropriate adjustments.

Seek out and obtain any necessary training to enhance your skills. The TCTA website provides free online professional development to members, which can help you meet the requirements of certificate renewal. Further, if any problems with your performance are noted, your supervisors are likely to be pleased with your response if you immediately seek out training to help you improve.

Issues of professionalism

Remember your role. Though many of you may look young and, at the high school level, may not be much older than some of your students, remember that you are their teacher, not their peer. It is a significant mistake to behave otherwise, and could result in loss of your current position or even your certificate. Specifically:

• Never entertain students at your home. Even if they’re watching R-rated movies on their own, you don’t want them doing it with you.

• Avoid the temptation to share inside jokes, flirt or make any risqué remarks – these things will come back to haunt you and ultimately undermine your authority in the classroom.

• Dress modestly and professionally. Crushes are rampant.

• Don’t fraternize with students outside of school-sponsored activities. You can be supportive of your students without being buddies.

• Never sanction the consumption of alcohol or drugs by students, either explicitly or implicitly.

• Avoid any sort of off-color or profane remark; remember that your students are not adults and what may be amusing at the moment won’t look good in a transcript.

Do your Internet surfing at home. An increasing number of teachers, including veterans, are surprised to learn that their Internet activities on school computers are not private. Any computer use on school equipment should be directly related to your employment.

Remember that the Internet is a very public forum. Though you don’t check your constitutional rights at the schoolhouse door, most teacher contracts contain language that can mean your personal life may have some bearing on your continued employability, especially if your conduct can be considered to diminish your classroom credibility. Many students delight in learning details about their teachers’ lives beyond the classroom, and the discovery of anything you wouldn’t want your school board to see can pose problems. Keep that in mind if you decide to create a Twitter account or Facebook page or to post anything online that might reveal too much information to an unintended audience.

Be a scout - always be prepared. It’s tough duty to be the center of attention all day every day, and expecting the unexpected helps. Your days will be much easier if you have a headache remedy, nail clippers and safety pins in your desk drawer (but remember, never provide aspirin or other medication to a student without official approval).

Use your planning and preparation period wisely. Not only does this opportunity potentially ease the burden you will shoulder in grading papers, preparing lesson plans, etc., it also offers you a chance to decompress a bit before resuming your role as teacher. Avoid the temptation to participate in gripe sessions in the lounge if they occur at your school; not only are your remarks likely to be repeated to others, but it can be demoralizing to listen to complainers.

Take advantage of your professional resources

Everybody starts off as a novice. Experience counts, but so does the enthusiasm you bring to your new profession. As you build on your student teaching success, keep in mind that each school district, campus and student will present unique challenges, as will being the “teacher of record” and the added professional responsibility that post entails. If you are having trouble, seek out the help you need without hesitation.

Go to your mentor. If you are having trouble with issues that your teacher training may not have fully prepared you to address (student discipline comes immediately to mind), a talented veteran can give you amazingly helpful guidance.

Take advantage of the training opportunities offered by TCTA. Both our website, with its free online training, and our meetings at the local and state levels offer you the opportunity for professional growth.

If you think an employment-related legal problem may be developing, call our Legal Department immediately. Having toll-free access to nine staff attorneys is much like having a law firm on retainer (for only the cost of your dues). Our legal staff is experienced in helping you address concerns identified by your supervisors, suggesting ways you can enhance your position, and helping you remain employable if your first position is not a good fit.

Make sure TCTA has your e-mail address. We will provide you with current information about issues that may affect your future as an educator, especially during legislative sessions. We highly recommend that you send us your home or personal e-mail address so that we can reach you year-round.

Check the TCTA website regularly. You’ll find helpful information on issues ranging from student discipline to NCLB that can answer your questions and better equip you in the classroom.

Refer to this Survival Guide as needed. While this publication does not substitute for the advice of an attorney, it does provide up-to-date information on education-related topics that are crucial to Texas teaching professionals. Keep it in a handy place—you will find yourself reaching for this publication throughout the year.