Tips For A New Math Teacher

Since most of the people in our class are going on to become a math teacher, I thought it would be fitting to find an article that gives some tips on what to do in the first year. Being that it is going to be overwhelming for any new teacher walking into the classroom, things may be forgotten, or just put on the back burner until the teacher gets their bearings. Instead of having a link to a webpage, I am just going to include them here. I think that the tips given in this particular article are solid, as they seem to highlight the important features for new math teachers. The article can be seen at: http://www.teachercertification.org/a/tips-for-math-teachers.html

I also found some other tips that I found quite amusing. The author (Davilla Riddle) has taken a Letterman-esque approach to tips for a new teacher. Even though some of these may be true, keep in mind that they are of a joking manor....

Letterman's Top 10 - Advice for New Teachers
10. Know where your room is located on campus.  It helps when you are coming back to your room from a fire drill at the beginning of the year - don't want to get lost.
9.Know who is really "in charge" at the front office - the principal's administrative assistant.
8. Find out what goodies the custodians like to eat.  They can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
7. Learn your kids' names.  Middle schoolers hate being called by the "wrong" name.
6. Find a partner in crime (fellow teacher) to give you the scoop on what's really going on at school.
5. Make friends with the counselor.  He/she can really be a great ally during a heated parent/teacher conference.
4. Don't ask your kids too many questions.  You never know what they are going to say...sometimes, it is TMI (too much information).
3. Don't try to be a super hero by volunteering for everything.  There is always next year!
2. If it isn't locked away, taped down or glued to the wall - it will be gone or destroyed by the end of the year.
1. Get a degree in "How to Fix the Copier".  It will come in handy on Monday mornings when you are running late to make copies for class.