Reality Check with Jennifer: Teaching a Teacher and Still Learning

Remember Jennifer? She wrote for Reality 101 in 2009–10. She's in her second year of teaching kindergartners with various disabilities in Pasadena, Calif. Reality 101 is circling back with her for a Reality Check to get her perspective and sage advice for new teachers.

One of the best things about special education is that when someone asks you to write about things that have changed in your teaching career, you can honestly say things are just as exciting, interesting, new, challenging, and, occasionally, as daunting as ever. While I feel stronger as a professional, that I have a greater sense of “ownership” in my classroom, and am more experienced when making decisions for my students, I am still always learning, always questioning, and always surprised by what each day brings.

I suppose one of the greatest milestones since I was a Reality 101 blogger is that I have since had the opportunity to work as a master teacher for an intern going through the exact same teacher education program I went through. I've heard that the best way to truly learn something is to try to teach it to someone else.  Trying to help guide my student through his own beginning work as a teacher in the classroom was amazing!

Teachers are constantly thinking about so many things all at the same time. By working with him, I learned again how many small pieces of information we have to juggle to put together the right lesson to meet the needs of our diverse array of learners. Helping my intern hash through it all to be the best he could be was downright exhausting some days, but SO worth it in the end! I wouldn't trade that experience for anything; it re-opened my eyes to the importance of the job we do.

A lot has gotten easier over the years. I’m at the same school, which I think has definitely helped me, and which is truly a luxury given our current economic circumstances. I feel I have formed friendships, have a better grasp of the culture and the way things are done, which I have to believe is always just a little different at each school. I think the biggest thing that has helped me assert myself a little more as an educator is that I don't have that “new kid” feel anymore. I have gotten to know the staff I work with, and have a very supportive boss and team.

I think the job never gets easy, but the way we maneuver our way in and out of IEPs, SSTs, 504s, CAPAs, and every other acronym and day-to-day event can feel a little easier as time goes on. I would start to worry if teaching started to feel easy and like the fact that my students always manage to keep me learning and on my toes. 

If I had to think of advice for new teachers, I would say there are two major things that I am still learning and may very well always be working on because they are so hard to embrace, but so critical to both your sanity and success:

1. Live in the moment. Be as 'zen' as you can and truly allow the day to slow down so you can enjoy your students as much as you hope they are enjoying you and your lessons. It makes a huge difference in their reactions, retention, and overall love of learning.

It sounds so simple, but when you have meetings, assessments, lessons, and more-than-occasional hiccups in your schedule, it is so easy to fall into this pattern of checking the clock and just hoping you get everything in for the day. Once you cross the thin line between planning two steps ahead, and fully focusing on what those two steps will look like, it can be very stressful -- for everyone.

 2. Make sure your lessons, your attitudes, your conversations around students, etc., are all pointing in the direction of just how fun and exciting learning can be. It is really hard sometimes to mask how frustrated we might be when it comes to budget cuts, upset parents, or just being plum overwhelmed, but it is so crucial that students never have any part in that. Even if we think we are “leaving it at the door,” I am positive that it still shows one way or another and the students and paraeducators pick up on everything.

I needed to make a change to help myself with this, so I made a 'Why I Have the Best Job" list, and I go through it every morning now before I drive to work. You'd be amazed at what that can do to your outlook even if you already have something stressful on the schedule that day.

I'd also highly recommend keeping a journal, and taking the time to always look back and see just how far you've come. I think overall, it is just important to keep loving what you do. Embrace the fact that 'eing a teacher is synonymous with being a learner, and that as long as we are teaching our learning will never end.  And our students may actually end up teaching us more than we teach them.

Comments

[Miranda Jones]

Jennifer-
So much of what you have said really resonates with me even as a Resident Teacher. I eagerly anticipate having to feel that sense of "ownership" later in the year when I become a first year teacher. For instance, right now I have been a conduit for teaching the older teachers about technology and how to increase student engagement, but I still feel like I can only do so much. I keep thinking that if they would just let me really do the things that I want to do-it would truly be awesome. Nonetheless, I know that my time will come. Also, I have to continue to monitor my speech and attitude which I admit is difficult. So often I get pessimistic about the student demographic that I work with, issues related to staffing, my Master's program but I have to reflect on experiences I have had before where I made mistakes in that area, and then become even more aware of how I am coming across and/or find healthy outlets (the key word being out) where I can express my frustrations without worry of how it might impact my career. I am on my way to a state of zen with Christ at the helm.

[Turki Alzahraney]

Jennifer, you did a very good job and I really enjoyed reading your blog. Actually, I will begin my student teaching next week, and I am both so excited and nervous. After reading your blog, I have more confidence for two reasons. First, I know now that I have similar feelings to you who is an experienced teacher. Second, I know that I am in the right career as a special educator because teaching is one of the best jobs out there even though I may get stressed and overwhelmed sometimes. I like your idea of journaling to keep track of your own strengths and weaknesses. To become a better teacher, it is extremely important to look back on and see what I have done and remember what worked and what did not work. This is especially important for student teachers or first year teachers in order to develop their teaching skills and try different teaching methods. I also think that it is important to love what we do and remember why we do it. To have had impacted so positively on the kids’ lives is rewarding. I agree that we need to know the staff we work with and collaborate together effectively. A more collaborative environment benefits all participants. Sometimes with children who have disabilities, many professionals are involved with the student and so working together as a team becomes essential in order for success to take place. Thanks for your ideas and advice

[Heather]

Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your post. I am currently wrapping up my student teaching and I have had some ups and down. Overall I have enjoyed every experience I have had but there were times where I questioned my decision to be a teacher. By reading this post I realized that it was normal for me to question it because there are so many aspects of being a teacher that can be stressful and difficult. Reading your post I was looking back at the last 3-4 months. I had days were I was so exhausted and drained that my attitude and cheerfulness were not up to par. I wish I could go back to those days and change my attitude so I could just enjoy working with my students and teaching. But, it was a good learning experience for me. One of my biggest goals for the future is to always have a good attitude and to show my student my love for learning. I plan to live in the moment and enjoy every second I have being a teacher.

[Nick]

Jennifer- It is great to hear your experiences. Always questioning myself is something I fear for when I become a Special Educator, but you put a new light on it. It is okay to question things. I agree it is important to slow down and really remember why you are doing what you do. Keeping a journal is great advice and something I plan to implement in throughout my teaching experience. Thanks for sharing!

[Andrew]

Thank you for your post Jennifer. I am looking forward to starting my teaching career, but I have heard it can be a bit overwhelming to start. I like how you gave tips for beginning teachers. I think keeping a journal can be a very useful tool. Thank you.

[Anne]

I needed to read this post tonight. I have just started as a new teacher and I am feeling lost, stressed, and thin. I know that in time I will have my desk organized, be able to provided better lessons and supports to my students, and have better time management skills. However, RIGHT NOW I need to take a breathe, I need to model that learning/school is a fun place, and create opportunities where my students can be active learners.
Thanks

[Jo]

Jennifer ~ Your love and passion for teaching definitely shows through in your blog! I will begin student teaching next semester, and am both nervous and very excited. I am already worrying about getting everything done each day that's on my "To-Do" list. But in the end, I need to remember that I am a special education teacher because of the kid!

[Natalie]

This was so enlightening. As you said, it is easier said than done to be happy all the time and leave things at the door but it is so crucial to our students. I think that the journal is a great idea, one of those things that if done right, it can be very beneficial and useful throughout the years. Living in the moment is something that I have been working on individually and as an educator and hope that it gets easier as I become more familiar with being in a classroom. I am excited to continue my work with kids and see their lives change and the impact I have on them.

[Alison]

That is great advice to hear as I soon will be a teacher. I think it is very important to slow down. We try to pack so much into our days we forget what is really important. I also think it is extremely important to make the learning fun. No student wants to sit through the day listen to someone talk. They want to engage and have fun with what they are doing. You hit it on the dot saying that you are also learning new things and how to become a better teacher. It's important to try different teaching methods and things to find out what will be the most rewarding for your students. Being a teacher is a very rewarding career and I can not wait until I start teaching.

[Jennifer]

I want to take a minute to say 'thank you' to everyone who gave such appreciated feedback to my most recent post. Your active engagement is so important and for all of you who are new teachers - just wait - it gets better all the time. :) Good luck!

[Nicole]

Jennifer,
Your advice is great. I'm still just student teaching but I agree that the 'zen' feel is important. We rush through the day and don't really cherish the moments we have with the students. I agree that we really need to slow down and enjoy each day with our students no matter what occurs during that time. I also love keeping the idea of a journal. I'm currently doing that for my student teaching experience and it is great to be able to go back and see what I did and remember what worked and what didn't work at different parts of this year. Thanks for your ideas and advice.

[Chandra]

Jennifer- I LOVE your try to stay zen in the moment comment. A lot of times throughout the day, it is very hard to do this. Especially when you have so much other things running through your head. You need to remember that for the student you are working with, all that matters to them is what you are doing RIGHT THEN in that moment.

I also really like the idea of journaling and I have been doing this regularly as I have been student teaching. It helps me to remember what I did the week and even day before. When there is so much going on in a day, it's hard to remember little milestones in a students day or even your own.

Thanks for the post!

[Kayla]

Jennifer, thank you for sharing this inspiring blog! It is great to hear that eventually teachers can feel like they have a handle on things! I like your idea of journaling to keep a record of what you have done. I am preparing to student teach and my classes are requiring me to look back at my previous work that I have completed throughout my education. As I look back at my first assignments, lessons, assessments, and past experiences with students I am able to see how much I have learned and how far I have come. It is just a reminder of how we are lifelong learners and how our best teachers are our very own students!

[Brenna]

Jennifer, What a great blog! Reading what you wrote only gives me more confidence that I am getting into the right career and that all of the hard work that goes into being a special educator is worth it. I am student teaching right now and it is very easy to become overwhelmed with everything that goes on during the school day. But I am glad you brought up the point about being as "zen" as possible when you are with your students. I think it is essential to just "go with the flow" sometimes and realize that you can't control everything. I make my lessons as interesting and unique as possible and try to show my middle school students that school isn't all work - we can make learning fun too. I liked your advice about keeping a journal. I think this is really important, especially as student teachers or first year teachers to look back on and see the progress that you have made over the years. Journaling can also be useful in relieving stress without "freaking out." It's also a relief to know that at some point in my education career, things will slow down and I'll feel like I have more control in my classroom. Thanks for all of the great advice!

[Kari]

Jennifer,

I am glad to hear things have gotten more comfortable as time has gone on because I am nervous about being a first year teacher and all of the responsibilities that come along with it. Thank you for the advice on taking one thing at a time. I think it is important to not rush through everything and to slow down. I also liked your idea of listening to all the great things about your job. I think teaching is one of the best jobs out there and although we may get overwhelmed and stressed, it is important to remember why we are doing what we do.

[Gerryanne]

It's so nice to see that us new teachers will eventually feel somewhat comfortable with what we're doing. I'm currently student teaching and although I'm starting to get into the swing of things and feel like I belong, I know there is still so much to learn. Your blog post this week was very helpful, and I think it is important to make sure we aren't just rushing through information so we can get all the lessons in that we have planned for that day.

[FredKenpo]

This is sort of a Zen and the Art of Special Education. Being in the kind of extended awareness that such an exercise can bring about also helps you respond quickly to your students needs

[Sabrina]

This was a great post. I am excited to have my "own" class someday, and the way you wrote about your profession is the exact way I picture myself being after I am finished with school. I am excited to know you are still excited.
In class, we were just talking about journaling and keeping track of your own strengths and weaknesses. It is SO SO SO important.
So thank you for still being enthusiastic about what you do.

[Brooke]

Jennifer, that was one of the best blogs I have read so far and I enjoyed it very much! I am still in school, but I can already see how important it will be to "go with the flow," and to be "zen." That is something I will really need to remember, because I get stressed out when planning, but once I'm teaching them I really enjoy it. It's great to know that I have had similar feelings as an experienced teacher, and I come across surprises every day when working with children. I have spent over four years in school learning to become a teacher, but the most beneficial experiences were the ones where I was actually working with students because that is when they started teaching me. Thank you for the blog!

[Emily P.]

Jennifer-

This post was such an eye opener and a fresh reflection on the work of an experienced teacher. I love your helpful hints. With so many behaviors, schedule changes, and interruptions during the day, it can be hard to remember to be relaxed. If you’re upset, your students will be able to read that. Being prepared for certain schedules and behaviors can help you feel more comfortable in a situation; however, you can’t always be prepared, so learning to ‘go with the flow’ is extremely important.

Also, I’ve noticed in my student teaching experience that teachers and support staff often have side conversations about how tired they are, or how much they have to do at home, or just the general frustrations with work. Particularly for students in special education, a positive environment is key to their success.

Staying on top of things amidst all the meetings, IEP due dates, and collaborative workshops can be very stressful. With the right team and management skills, your classroom can be a successful one. I know that my first year of teaching won’t be perfect, but I hope that I can develop an environment in my classroom that will foster learning and development. Then, I will only hope that my second year will be perfect. :)

[Brandi]

Jennifer, hearing from you after you have experienced a few years of teaching, and hearing your input about the things that have changed is really comforting to me. I am currently at the end of my teacher education program, and will be graduating in the spring. I know that the first year will be the hardest. I am learning so much from my students, things that I would never be able to learn in a college classroom. Your two tips are definitely something that I see everyday. Getting into the habit of trying to get a lesson done in a certain period of time may help the students academically, but it won't give me that time with the students that I could be developing a relationship with them. Every student learns differently and at his or her own pace. This is something that I need to always remind myself. I may get a lesson done in the 30 minutes, but did the students really learn? Giving the students a chance to love the lesson and learn in school is something that I strive for everyday, and I can only hope that other teachers feel the same. Thanks for your input!

[Laura]

Jennifer,

I really enjoyed reading this blog post and hearing some tips from an experienced teacher. I am currently student teaching in a high school setting in a Cognitive Disabilities/Cross Categorical Classroom. I enjoy every single day with the students, but some days are hard and draining. I loved reading your two tips for teachers. Remembering to stay as ‘Zen’ as possible and simply being in the moment is some of the best advice I have heard when it comes to teaching. Even when things are difficult, students have the power to help you stay grounded and in the moment. IEP meetings and paperwork are such a large part of the field of special education, but at the same time, teaching the students what they need to be successful in the future is the number one priority of special education teachers.

One of the assignments given to student teachers at the University I am attending is to write a journal after every week and send it to our supervisor from the University. I enjoy writing the journals and reflecting upon my week. It is a time when I can relax and just let go of all of my thoughts. I can already see my growth as a teacher and I am excited to continue growing!

Thanks for the great blog post Jennifer!

[jennie]

When I started my teacher ed program, most of my professors gave one simple advice that I have carried with and when applied helps greatly. That advice was, "be flexible". That's it! Nothing more philosophical or profound, and nothing more simple than...be flexible. Let your lesson plans change and flow the the questions asked or concepts developed, when you have a student who can't focus, work with that student, when problems arise work with it and let go of YOUR schedule and YOUR time frame. I love this advice, and now am going to add to my pedagogy to be "zen and allow my day to slow down so I can enjoy my students", because they really are just so delightful and their thoughts, ideas, words should be enjoyed!
Thanks
Jennie

[Kristine]

Jennifer,
Thanks for your "zen" comment. As a student teacher, with mainly "pull out" students, I feel stressed trying to fit everything in that I need to teach them in the short time I have them.

I am glad to see that at some point, you do feel like you can slow down.

Kristine