Reality 101: CEC's blog for new teachers

Charmelle: Trying to Avoid Burnout, Part Two

“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.”-Hans Selye

I felt this quote was important to share after my post about the importance of teacher retention and the concerns of experiencing burnout. To follow up, here’s a list of tips to address and alleviate your stress for a happy New Year and a healthy rest of the school year.

Kaylie: The Reason for the Season

As soon as December arrived, the Christmas activity planning went into full swing. Everyone is in full holiday mode—scheduling parties, programs, luncheons, etc. Many are also looking for opportunities to give and spread joy during the season. 

One of the first phone calls I received regarding Christmas activities was from a large corporation in our town who does an annual philanthropy project. The majority of employees from this company take money from their paychecks each month to put toward the charitable cause chosen for the year. For the past two years, their project has been to buy gifts for every student in self-contained special education classrooms in our county. That’s six classrooms! And it doesn’t stop there. They spend approximately $100 on each student, buying them things they need, as well as things they want.

John: Semester by Numbers

I decided to give a recap of the semester in numbers for my last post of the year.

1. Number of successful teacher evaluations completed. 
I passed my preliminary evaluation for my professional teaching certificate. I have to pass the final evaluation next semester to earn my professional teaching certificate.

2. Number of students arrested. 
While only two students have been officially arrested, sometimes I feel like a special education degree should be accompanied by a minor in criminal justice. I have learned more about the legal system this semester by trying to answer questions and help my students navigate the courts than I ever cared to.

Jerry: Reflections on the First Half of the Year

I thought that for this post I would share some of the ups and downs, trials and travails of my first 18 weeks as a full-time special education teacher.

First, I think it goes without saying that teaching is exhausting work. It may or may not be typical of most teachers, but I arrive at 7:30 a.m. each day and I typically do not leave before 5 p.m. My day is filled with managing schedules, writing curriculum, practicing IEP goals/objectives, recording data, bus duty and so on and so forth. Somewhere in the midst of all this I also get to teach to a group of students whose ages range from 1st grade to 7th grade.

Charmelle: Trying to Avoid Burnout, Part One

I must say I love teaching and I truly feel that it is my calling to be a special education teacher. I enjoy the connection that I make with my students and having the opportunity to support them in being successful, but being a special educator can also be very challenging. Underneath all of the paperwork, deadlines, scheduled meetings, writing IEPs and lesson planning, I know so much more could be added to that list and it can become overwhelming, stressful and hectic. At times I feel like I’m performing my own juggling routine and sometimes wonder if I will learn how to better balance all of these tasks.

Reality Check with Kathy: Three Years Ago I was Starting Over

Remember Kathy? She wrote for Reality 101 in 2009–10. Hailing from the Detroit area, Kathy now teaches life and vocational skills to young adults with autism and cognitive disabilities. Reality 101 is circling back with her for a Reality Check to get her perspective and sage advice for new teachers.

In 2009–10 when I was writing for Reality 101, I was a part-time job coach teaching custodial skills to 18–26 year-olds. Since then I have dusted off my teaching degree and have a full-time job teaching life and vocational skills to young adults with autism and cognitive disabillities in my local public school.

I’ve learned a lot in the last three years, and my experiences have provided me with the following list of tips to share with new teachers: