1 post from April 2008

3. Try not to come in with expectations of what things will be like. There is no set "Teacher Corps Experience." The only thing you can pretty much bank on is that things will be difficult. No matter how much training they try to cram in this summer, you will not feel adequately prepared to take on "the classroom" and all that it entails.

2. Having lesson plans done in advance (more than a week ahead of time) gives you a nice, settling feeling. However, if there is any chance you could change what you are teaching, you probably will. Planning ahead is great, but try not to get too bummed when tens (or even hundreds) of lesson plans are no longer useful to you...you have to start over! This summer, definitely lay out a curriculum plan of what you would like to (or have to) teach for the first semester or year and try to do a few lesson plans, but don't spend too much time preparing lessons...

1. GET A LIFE! For the first few months of teaching, it is hard to do anything except crash immediately when you come home from school. There is so much to do and you are always so tired. Give yourself a little time, but then get out and explore! Hang out with people who are not teachers. Get connected in a way that does not involve your kids.