Shaundalyn Elliott's Diary
The First 180 Days
Shaundalyn Elliott, a recent college graduate, always dreamed of being a corporate lawyer. Her deep feelings of responsibility to the minority students in her hometown led her instead to a teaching position at her alma mater, an urban middle school in Montgomery, Alabama. Each week during this school year -- Shaundalyn's first year in the classroom -- she will share with Education World readers her thoughts and feelings about her first 180 days!
Passing the Baton!
Week 34
With nearly one full year of teaching under my belt, I think I am now qualified to make a few suggestions to next year's first-year teachers.
Last Saturday, while watching the graduation exercises at Alabama State University, my alma mater, I had an opportunity to reflect on my feelings about teaching at this time last year. I remember especially feeling overwhelmed at the idea of being a teacher yet at the same time knowing that I desperately needed a job for the upcoming semester. My graduation was quickly approaching, and I was determined to have a job before I walked across the stage to get my diploma.
For most of the spring, I considered my options for employment. I had received offers for teaching positions in Georgia and Texas, but I was leery about living so far away from home during my first year of teaching. Most of the people I talked to, primarily veteran teachers, warned me about the various responsibilities a first-year teacher was likely to encounter and suggested that I proceed with caution. In the end, my decision to stay home during my first year of teaching turned out to be wise. The security of familiar surroundings was a big help in combating my feelings of insecurity in a new situation.
As the year progressed, I learned a great deal beyond the basic tasks of a teacher. I learned to determine whether a student was able to read and articulate in front of a group just by observing his or her methods of nonverbal communication. I learned to maintain good classroom discipline, largely because of the efforts of the cooperating teacher who guided me through my internship. I learned the importance of providing an attractive and inviting learning environment. One of my college professors, explaining the importance of a learning environment that promotes excellence, said that all students should be able to learn by reading the walls. I took this advice seriously and expect my students to learn from a variety of sources, including my teaching and my classroom.
It's difficult to summarize all I've learned this year. If there's one thing that all future teachers need to know, however, it's that teaching is a rewarding job with benefits that go far beyond the actual paycheck. There's nothing like knowing that your students need -- and appreciate -- you. The words, nods, smiles, letters, and handmade gifts from students can make all the difference to a teacher. I know they did for me!
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Shaundalyn Elliot
Education World®
Copyright © 2000 Education World
05/17/2001
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