Phases of 1st Year Teachers

As your new teachers complete their first week of school, it is important to give some thought to their experiences and coming needs. First year teachers journey through a number of phases in their first year of teaching (Moir, 1990). Being knowledgeable about these phases, allows school districts to schedule training and support at critical times. These trainings can focus on the areas teachers have the most difficulty with or are prepared to learn more about during that phase. Below are a few of the dilemmas new teachers face during each phase:

1. Anticipation (1st - 2nd weeks)
   
1. excited about year
2. Survival (1st to 2nd month)
1. struggle to keep head above water
2. spending 70 hours a week on schoolwork
3. struggling to keep up
3. Disillusionment (at 8 weeks)
   
1. begin questioning commitment
   
2. overwhelmed with parent conferences, first evaluation, and back to school night.
3. classroom management major source of distress
4. Rejuvenation (January)
   
1. much needed winter break
2. acceptance of realities of teaching
3. focus in curriculum development and teaching strategies
5. Reflection (May)
1. highlight events that were successful and those that weren't
   
2. think about changes they'd like to make next year

Establishing Good Communication with Parents Early

Next week, teachers will meet their students that they will spend the next 9 months teaching and supporting. In addition, they will most likely begin meeting parents that they will also be spending the next 9 months communicating with. It is important that new teachers have a procedure in place for establishing good communication with parents early in the year. Below are tips that you can share with your beginning teachers that may help them initiate communication, continue effective communication throughout the year, and suggestions for open house night. This information may also be helpful to mentors as they assist early career teachers in establishing communication practices.

Tips for Parent Communication for Classroom Teachers

Establishing Good Communication Early
It is important to introduce yourself and establish good communication to parents early. In fact, a introductory letter may be the first item you complete as you get ready for the new school year. This letter may include information below:

• Introduction
• Necessary supplies
• Contact information
• Upcoming classroom or school events

Throughout the year you can build on this initial communication with newsletters, phone calls, emails, progress reports, and conferences.

Tips for Good Communication (from www.susd.org)

• Be professional in your communication (avoid rumors and gossip).
• Be direct and clear in what you say.
• Think through, in advance, what you are going to say.
• Be sure to listen.
• Be positive, even when dealing with problems. Involve parents in the decision-making.
• Avoid using educational jargon.
• Proofread any notes/newsletters before you send them home with students.
• Keep a record of all communication with parents.
• If you have any question about a communication you are going to send, discuss it first with an administrator or mentor.
• Inform an administrator or your mentor of any problems so they are informed on the situation when they receive communication from the parent.

Open House Night
Many schools will conduct an open house early in the school year to give teachers, students, and parents’ time to meet each other. There are a number of procedures you can follow to take advantage of this time and establish a good relationship with parents.

You may discuss:

• Classroom rules and policies
• Curriculum and/or standards
• Your expectations for students
• Instructional materials, such as textbooks or workbooks

Overall tips for open house night:

• Provide handouts of grading procedures, homework procedures, curriculum maps, etc.
• Dress professionally
• Provide information on how parents can communicate with you and what they can expect to be communicated to them regarding their child’s progress.
• Provide a volunteer sign up sheet.