Advice for 1st years

What do 1st yrs need to know before coming down? Where to start....

      First of all, I want to say that I am very excited for the first years. They are about to get rocked!! (in a good way, of course!) MTC has been a wonderful experience for me so far, and I am going to try to give some suggestions that will help the first years think the same:

    - MEET PEOPLE - the way MTC is set up, you have the opportunity to meet a lot of people around your same age, education level, and that have at least some similar interests. You get to spend the summer with them and they will be your biggest allies when the year gets started. Creating a support system for yourself (and tapping into the ones you already have in place) is key. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Things will happen to you that you can't believe have ever happened before, but I guarantee they have happened to someone in the program. ASK, LISTEN, TALK, MAKE FRIENDS......
   
    - ENJOY SUMMER - summer is AWESOME. It is busy, and sometimes you may think you couldn't possibly be more tired. Believe me, you can be, and you will be. Get out and play frisbee or BEACH VOLLEYBALL and have fun!!
 
    - TAKE BREAKS - During the year, it is very important to take mental-health days. Take a day off and use it for YOU. Go visit a friend, go check out the Delta or Tunica or Memphis. Go shopping. Do something different from school. Teaching is a 24/7 job. Every now and then, you need to take a break and remind yourself that teaching isn't ALL you do! (My principal says "sick" days can be used if you are just "sick of the kids"...I agree)

    - KEEP AN OPEN MIND - Don't come into this thinking you know the way things need to be done. Try new approaches, try suggestions, and keep an open mind as much as possible. Being willing to change things that aren't working is crucial to success, especially in this profession. Also, don't be too hard on yourself. A lot of people that get into this program have never had to deal with a challenge like the one they are about to encounter, and you will make mistakes. You will get tired, and you will feel like you aren't making the difference you set out to make. Remember that things can and will get better (if you're willing to try new things), you ARE making a difference, and you are here for a reason. Enjoy it and TALK TO SOMEONE (a 2nd year, your mentor, Ben, Ann, SOMEONE) if you are having a bad day.

    - GET INVOLVED - I coached all three main seasons in the year. I coached two sports I have very little experience in and one that I have a ton of experience in. All three seasons were SO much fun and made me love my job even more. It is so awesome to get to know some of the students outside the classroom, and it kept me sane when I thought all I was doing was classwork. If you're not into sports, help out with a club or drama or start something. It is helpful for you AND the kids - they need and want things to be involved in. Even if you think it will take up too much time, try it. Yes, you have very little time as it is, but it really helped me out so much.

    - STAY ON TOP OF TASKS - When stuff gets backed up and you feel like you're buried under paperwork, it is much easier to get stressed and feel like all you do is teach, grade, lesson plan..... Find a way to maximize your time and DELEGATE responsibilities whenever possible. I didn't learn this one until the middle of the year, but it helps so much! Why do everything yourself when there are people willing to help! (Be careful with which tasks you delegate, though...some things shouldn't be out of your hands and/or will not be done with high quality...stick to handing out the menial tasks that just take time!)

    - SMILE