Dear New Teacher...

Here's some advice I would give myself.

1. Get a DonorsChoose account & ask for items you need in your room, such as basic supplies.  Make a good list mid October/ early November, because Chevron will fund your projects!  If you don't have your items around this time, sync your DonorsChoose with Facebook and notify your SUPPORTIVE friends and family to help out.

2. Get a adoptaclassroom.org account.  This one isn't as known as DonorsChoose, but is just as effective.  About a month after I made an account, Coach generously donated $500 to my classroom.

3. Check out freebies on teacherspayteachers.com. A lot of the products are about a couple dollars, but it WILL add up if you purchase everything you like.  Most of the products are common core aligned!

4. Make friends with the staff.  I feel so fortunate to be at a school where the staff is so helpful. You may be able to inherit items or suggestions from them! I LOVE the school I'm at!

5. Don't take work home.  Set an alarm (no more than 2 hours after dismissal) to work and leave.  I promise your social life and health would thank you!

6. Keep yourself hydrated.  Drink lots of h2o, tea, h2o infused with Emergen-C, etc.

7. Have a stash in your cabinet.  Advil, dental floss, mints, feminine products, chap stick, mirror, change of clothes (you never know if you need to change mid-day!),

8. Sign up for Scholastic Reading Club & introduce to your students.  I always have a nostalgic feeling when I pass out the book order forms every month!  Also, check if there's a Scholastic Warehouse nearby.  Luckily, mine is 5 minutes from my home.

9. Be prepared to fail.  Not every lesson will be "perfect".  There will always be time to improve.  Did you teach your concept?  Were the kids engaged, learning and/or having fun?  Don't beat yourself up...

10.  Have FUN!  There's a reason why you came into this profession.  You want to teach the children of future America.  There's one or two teachers in your pass that's touched your heart.  Whatever it is, every day is FUN.  If not, you need to change professions....

What's your advice to a "new teacher" or your "younger teacher" self?