Principal Tips for New Teachers

Ms. Penny Boileau, a former SOE faculty member, has resumed her career as an elementary school principal, a position she held for nine years.  She was an elementary school teacher prior to becoming an administrator.

At her Block 1 presentation on May 6, 2003, Ms. Boileau provided the following tips for new teachers:

    Act professionally

    Be on time

    Meet deadlines

    Act on suggestions given to you in a positive manner

    Keep good records

    Keep lines of communication with your principal open

    Be flexible and open to others' ideas

    Understand that you won't be privileged to know everything

    The more certifications you have, the more marketable you are and the more job security you will have

Mr. Will Olsen is one of the assistant principals at SPASH and has been in that position for eleven years.  Prior to assuming that position, he was an assistant principal at a junior high school as well as a tech. ed. teacher.

At his Block 1 presentations on May 6, 2003, November 25, 2003, April 20, 2004, and Nov. 30, 2004, he provided the following tips for new teachers:

    "The subject is a science.  Teaching is an art."

    Kids are funny - and fun to work with!  Make teaching fun!

    Be responsible, including being on time!

    Dress appropriately, including ironing your clothes!  Play the role, dress the part.

    Never leave a class unsupervised.

    Know your subject.

    Take a personal interest in your students.

    Don't be afraid to contact parents.

    If you give students detention, have them serve it with you (builds rapport).

    Become familiar with acceptable practices within your building (e.g. showing movies, class parties,

            taking students outside for class, calling in sick, finding a sub, etc.).

    Get involved in extra-curricular activities.

    NEVER touch a student UNLESS the student is hurting him/herself or someone else!

    Be careful about telling jokes or allowing students to tell jokes in the classroom.

    Keep your principal informed and ask for help when you need it.  Any issues dealing with alcohol,

            drugs, fights, weapons etc. must be reported to the principal.  Teachers should be able to

            handle such things as tardy students and minor discipline issues.

    Swearing should not be tolerated; however, consider what was said, to whom it was said, where

            it was said, and how it was said before reporting it to administration.

    Abuse MUST be reported, as must any student who is pregnant.

    Take accurate attendance.

    Build your credentials through attending conferences and workshops and teaching summer school.

    Know district policy regarding the application process.

    Make sure you include ALL credentials with your job application!

    Teach summer school, if possible.

    Practice your interviewing skills.

    Frustration is normal during your first year of teaching!  It takes approximately 3 years before you know

            both the subject and how to teach it well!

    Don't be afraid to tell students you've made a mistake.

    Try to get employed in a district that offers good benefits.

    Don't get a Master's Degree until you get a job.