TEACHER’S SURVIVAL GUIDE PART 2: 
FIVE MORE TIPS FOR TEACHERS
 
by
Jennifer L. Cartwright, BA, M. Ed., Doctoral Candidate

1. Setting up Files. Most schools require you to maintain certain type of files.  I mentioned in the previous article that I maintain hanging folders labeled with each of my student’s name that contains a file folder for work samples, attendance, and discipline.  I also set up hanging folders for each subject area that I teach.  These hanging folders are used for two purposes.  I have two sets of file folders labeled with each quarter, i.e., 1^st quarter, second quarter, etc.  In one set I place the pretests and posttests that we are required to give each quarter in each subject.  In the second set I place one copy of each worksheet that I used in that specific subject that quarter.  This way, I can easily find all the testing information that I need when I go to curriculum meetings and I have a least one copy of a worksheet that I used to make copies, if I need them, for next year.  I, also, keep files for:

·     staff meeting minutes

·      important school notices

·      specific special education notices

·      my staff development, school forms

·      notices from the clinic.

2.  School Meetings.  There are a lot of school related meetings to attend.  You probably have to attend staff meetings, curriculum meetings, and team meetings.  Some very large schools are broken into smaller communities with an administrator which will have their own community meetings.  Two ways to keep the information generated from these meetings are in files or in a notebook(s).  A hanging file labeled generically “Meetings” can then have file folders labeled with the specific type of meeting that you may commonly have to attend such as:

                        Faculty/Staff

                        Science

                        Social Studies

                        Science

                        Community

                        Special Education

The same thing can be done with a notebook or series of smaller notebooks.  In curriculum meetings, it is helpful if someone is assigned to take minutes.  If there is a computer in the room, minutes can be taken on the computer as the meeting is taking place and then immediately emailed to all staff members involved to be placed into the curriculum folder or notebook.

            Curriculum notebooks have worked well in my current teaching situation.  The notebooks are organized with the following information that helps to coordinate the curriculum among all of the teachers in the building:

·        Scope and Sequence

·        Schedule of what should be taught each quarter

·        Pretests and posttests

·        Test keys

·        Information about ordering materials

·        Meeting schedules

·        Section for meeting minutes

·        Any other pertinent information

3.      Substitute Notebook.  If your school does not require one, it is still a good idea to put together a substitute’s notebook that contains all of the information that a substitute may need in order to carry on in a knowledgeable way when you are absent.  Here are a few things that may be useful to a substitute:

·        Roster:  You should provide a class roster for each class that you teach as well as homeroom.  Be sure to update the class rosters as new students are enrolled in a class or students leave your classes.

·        Important information about students:  You need to let your substitute know which students may be problems in the classroom, which students are dependable, and which students need medication, when they take it, or if there are other medical situations with students.

·        Seating charts:  It is good if you can make up a seating chart using student pictures, but that is not always possible.  Be sure to keep these updated.

·        Classroom procedures:  Be sure to let the substitute know where to turn in papers, who has what classroom jobs, when lunch is, what the bell schedule is, what classes will be taught, where the bathroom is, where the copier is, how to get coffee, which teacher on your hall can be helpful for answering any questions, and who deals with discipline issues.

·        Daily schedule:  It is important to keep this updated with the times of class changes noted.

·        Attendance:  Each school has its own way of doing attendance.  Be sure that the substitute knows the procedure and has copies of the attendance slips to be turned into the office, if that is how your school collects attendance.

·        Lesson plans:  There are two ways that lesson plans needs to be done.  First, prepare three days worth of lesson plans for each class that can be used in case of an emergency and you are unable to prepare lesson plans ahead of time.  Be sure to update these emergency lesson plans when they are used or if not used, after the first half of the year is over, since they may be dated at that point.  Second, if you know that you will be absent for a day or a couple of days, make up detailed lesson plans for the substitute.  Be sure to include any worksheets or materials, if it is a project.  Be specific with directions, especially if you want a lesson done a certain way, since the substitute may not interpret the lesson in the same manner that you would.

·        Special events:  If there is going to be a special event, such as picture day or an announced fire drill, make sure to list this information for the substitute as well as when and where this will take place.

·        Emergency information:  Make sure that the substitute has any needed emergency information, such as fire drill exit procedures.

4.      Plan for the End of the Year.  Most schools have an end of the year check out list that requires signatures to prove that you turned in things like inventories, lesson plan books, and grade books.  If you are a new teacher, ask for last year’s end of year procedure list.  If you have been at the school for awhile, make a copy of the end of year procedure list.  Once you have the list, get a file folder and start an End of the Year file based on this list.  As you accomplish the items on the list such as inventories or making copies of grade sheets, put them into your end of the year file.  At the end of the year, you will be better prepared to deal with what is required of you when you check out for the summer.

5.      Steal!  Yes, that is correct; I am advising you to steal.  Most teachers are very willing to share ideas, websites, and materials.  Do not feel as if you need to reinvent the wheel each time you make plans for projects and lessons.  Ask your colleagues for their ideas and if it is OK with them if you use them.  They will probably be flattered that you would like to try one of their ideas.  Also, if you see a work sheet in the copy room that looks as if it would work with one of your lessons, ask the owner if you could make a copy and use it.  Many stores and book companies will give you samples of books or materials to use in the hopes that you will buy from their company.  Find out from other teachers or administrators which companies provide free materials and take advantage of this situation.  See if you can build a partnership with a local business that would be willing to sponsor your class.  Also, there a lots of grants and mini grants out there that can be used to buy classroom materials and supplies.  Ask the person in charge of grants in your school what is available, what forms need to be filled out, and what the deadlines are.  If you do spend your own money on your class, save the receipts since you will be able to deduct this from your income tax.

Teaching can be a very stressful job.  It is important that you recognize this from the start and take measures to protect yourself from the harmful effects of stress.  Remember that teaching is a job, and that the paper work and students will be there tomorrow.  Don’t stay late, instead go home and take care of yourself.  Enjoy your friends and family.  Get some exercise, lots of rest, and eat right.  Do all the things that your mother told you to do and you will feel better and enjoy your job more.