The best [teaching] advice I might never have told you

Date: In-service Eve, 2022 

I teach future teachers.  Every day I train them - not only on what they need to do to prepare for their future career, but also little things like "always fill the copy paper while you are waiting on your copies because finding an empty copier is a teacher pet peeve of mine, and nobody wants to find an empty copier when they are running to make some fast copies".  But last year, I had a couple of students starting as paraprofessionals for our district, and I wrote them the following.  No matter your occupation, I believe the same holds true for you (instead of teacher, you can substitute "mentor"). 

Welcome to in-service! 

You’re about to get so much information.  

You’re also probably about to get a ton of advice from well-meaning teachers… and maybe some negativity too. 

For a moment- picture your favorite teacher. 

Now- think about why they were your favorite. 

If you are like me, you probably thought about how you’ll never measure up. 

There are so many things that they did that you could never do. 

And that’s why I wrote this. 

There will be all sorts of people who tell you what to do in your classroom. Take the good, leave the bad, and try to forget the negative. But also- stop putting so much pressure on yourself! If you try to teach someone else’s way in your room, you will be like an actor always pretending. So-Be You! 

Will the students sometimes think you’re crazy- you bet! Come up with an excuse (ex: “you know I’m extra… that’s why I have so many “e”s in my name”…) and roll with it! 

We spend so much time trying to build an environment where everyone feels safe & welcome that we forget to include ourselves in that. This classroom is like your home-welcome yourself first and make yourself at home. 

Now- go sit in one of those seats or walk in the aisles, and imagine your students. Now imagine them in your place many years later. One day- when some of them imagine their favorite teacher- it’s going to be YOU! So just be you and embrace the journey!