I knew there was going to be a steep learning curve entering the world of education as a first-year teacher.
Half the people I told about my new job – rather than congratulating me – offered their condolences. That made me just all the more determined to love teaching and the world of education. But so far, I am staring to see their point (much as I am loathe to admit it).
I got hired back in April. Since then, I’ve been asking my principal, the HR department, my math specialist co-teacher and the IT department what I need to be doing to prepare for the school year. I’ve had three months to do professional development, lesson planning and all manner of things to get ready for my first year as a teacher. Here’s the feedback I’ve gotten.
From my principal: “You’re way ahead of the game. Just relax. We don’t do most of our hiring until July.”
From HR: “Ask your principal.”
From my co-teacher: “Here are a bunch of links. But you won’t be able to access any of them until you have a district email address.”
From IT: “Sorry, we don’t issue new teacher email addresses until the week before school starts.”
I feel like I’m back in the world of Corporate.
Authentically Aurora
Authentically Aurora 
Wow, I guess it doesn’t pay to be prepared. Seriously, people are so helpful.
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*Deep sigh* Yeah, it’s been frustrating to say the least. It makes me think that after a few years of teaching, maybe I’ll go into administration because someone needs to do a better job of setting expectations and communicating!
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Do you have a mentor teacher on your campus?
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I don’t know. I haven’t been introduced to my team or given a mentor. I’ve only been to the campus once and still don’t know my room number or if there are things I need to be doing to prepare. My first day of new teacher training is Monday, so I’m going with a LONG list of questions!!! 😉
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OMG I’m so sorry! It will all be OK though!! I’m year 17 and I’m never ready for the 1st day either. And guess what? It all works out. I was hired a week before new teacher orientation! I had NO idea what was going on. Seriously! I’m sure it’s frustrating though not to have contact with anyone on campus. I hope you get a mentor. It can really help. My only advice is try and not get too anxious and make sure you are taking care of yourself as you prepare. Kids are coming regardless and really the first 1-4 days go so fast you’ll forget everything you thought you just “had to do” for the first day. Sending good vibes to you! 💚💚💚💚
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Thank you so much RBTL! I really needed that encouragement! I still don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing and still don’t have any lessons planned, but I at least have now purchased classroom decor. Now to get it put up…
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Yes, sad to say, education often does imitate the corporate model with all of its weaknesses. Where I teach (college-level), they want us to submit an updated syllabus every term and also put it on Blackboard so students have access to it. But IT does not provide access to Blackboard for the term until the Saturday before classes start (on Monday). That does not give students much time to find out about the textbook or the class expectations. On top of that, the school switched operating systems last winter. The new system automatically rejects passwords every so often and requires a new password to be created by IT. Twice in a row, that reset happened the week grades were due, and I had to send grades straight to the registrar the old-fashioned way.
That being said, it’s worth teaching because of the students and because of your passion for the subject. The rest is just reason to complain… like the weather. God’s blessings on your school year. J.
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Wow, thanks for the stories and commiseration. Glad to know I’m not alone in all of this… but of course not glad you’ve had to suffer through it as well. Maybe someday I’ll get into Administration and try to be the change I hope to see.
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