The First Time....
Allow me to reframe myself. What i didn’t tell you in my previous newsletters is that i have 20 plus years of experience in education, teaching, training, leading…etc. I am also a certified concept based curriculum and instruction trainer based in Palestine but able to reach the world. I have a special place in my heart for teachers, and take every opportunity to serve and support them, as a colleague, a mentor and often times as a parent.
I have seen my fair share of new teachers enter the classroom for the first time, only for them to fail within the first quarter of the year. Some choose to ride the year out and see how their teaching develops, others bolt as fast as they could to the closest school gate, never to return to teaching every again.
Entering a classroom for the first time is as scary as entering an operation room for a surgical intern. Yes it is that scary. The questions that collide inside one’s head as they make their way to their desk and set up shop under the scrutinizing eyes of generation z and alpha and whatever other generations are currently of school age, is flat out terrifying.
Of course it does not help that young teachers are bombarded with conflicting strategies and ideas, from more experienced teachers (those who have been through the first year ringer and don’t want to admit that they were scared), school principals, educational leaders and consultants who want to cushion the first few months of teaching as much as possible.
But here is the thing, first time teaching experiences are rarely breezy, always difficult, and filled to the brim with challenges. Why? Because we assume teaching is innate, something we can do. Just place us in a room filled with students and we will teach them anything. Arithmetics? No problem! Algebra, easy! But teaching is anything but innate, random or ad hoc. It is a science and art put together.
But also your first time teaching is very much like the first time you fall in love, you never forget it…
