Experienced Teachers Reflect on Their First Year: A Follow Up

My August blog -- which included responses from experienced teachers about what they wish they’d known as beginners -- focused on students' emotions and classroom community. Now that we are several months into the school year, I offer their advice about goals, resources and cautions.

Go for Goals, Share Successes

1) Goals Motivate

Dee Garrett, computer teacher and accelerated reader administrator at St. Mary's Episcopal Day School in Tampa, Florida reminds us:

2) Step Out on Your Own and Try Something

Amy Fanusi, a teacher at Henderson Middle School in Butts County, Georgia urges:

Discover the Resources You Already Have

3) Your Colleagues

Maggie Cowne, a teacher at Colbert Elementary School in Madison County, Georgia advises:

4) Supplies for Your Room

Valerie Goolsby, math teacher at Tift County High School in Georgia, adds:

Cautions You Haven't Considered

5) Confidentiality is Critical

Chris Canter, Assistant Principal at Spalding Drive Elementary Charter School, Sandy Springs, Georgia cautions:

6) Honor Student Creativity

On this subject, we can add a reminder from the wise Sir Kenneth Robinson:

Your Turn

I hope that with even a few months of new teacher experience, or as experienced educators recognizing the things you do that have served you so well, you will add your own responses about goals, resources and cautions. Help us guide the thousands of new and future teachers as they join our profession.