As I celebrate my 27th year in education, I’ve been meditating on what I believe – what non-negotiables are part of my philosophy as a 22 year teacher and now five years as an administrator.

I didn’t fully “become” as a teacher until at least year ten when my confidence began to flourish and I wasn’t as concerned about what the students might be thinking about me. The command of the castle — or those teaching tendencies that help with management and running a classroom — those started developing more as I found myself comfortable in my own skin.

But if I were giving myself advice as a first year teacher, here are 27 things I would say to me.

• 1. Don’t take stuff personally. It is rarely about you — and always about what the student is feeling.
• 2. Life > School. Until the life stuff is taken care of, students have trouble concentrating on school.
• 3. Your tone is important. Breathe before you speak.
• 4. Balancing mentorship and accountability is key. You can’t have one without the other.
• 5. It’s okay to wait before you respond.Count to five – or even to ten – so you don’t say something you might regret.
• 6. Management is about proximity. Walk around. Be present.
• 7. Plan for more than you think you need.
• 8. Don’t let kids line up at the door.
• 9. Start your expectations early. Be a warm demander.
• 10. Don’t hang out with teachers who complain about the job.
• 11. Ask lots of questions.
• 12. Take care of the secretaries and custodians.
• 13. Connect early with a mentor teacher who is positive, who loves the job, and who wants to learn.
• 14. Take care of yourself.
• 15. You know why you chose this profession. Make sure you do the things about the job that you love — everyday. That’s how you stay away from burnout.
• 16. Before you send an emotional email, give yourself 24 hours.
• 17. Figure out what your school/personal life boundaries are. Stick to them.
• 18. Get involved in your school life. Go to teacher gatherings. Get to know your colleagues.
• 19. Before you leave for the day, have your plans ready for the next day. You never know what might happen. It will save you stress.
• 20. Take a lap around the school every day. See what other teachers and staff are doing. Glean from the good stuff.
• 21. Get to know your students. Work on knowing their names in the first two weeks. Know a fact about them in the first month.
• 22. Help your students get to know one another. When they know everyone in the room, they are most likely to take risks.
• 23. Change activities every 15 minutes.
• 24. Don’t do “sit and get” very often. Involve students in their own learning.
• 25. Listen to them. Provide an avenue like community circle that gives students a personal voice – not just a student voice.
• 26. Be mindful every day. Set your intentions.
• 27. Choose to see the good. It can be hard sometimes, but if you look for it, you’ll find it. Guaranteed.

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There are several posts in my blog for new teachers. Check some of them out!