There was once a time when numerous teachers had assistants in their rooms, but the current economic downfall has eliminated the majority of assistants in the classroom. While there may not be an assistant with you any longer, you still need to collaborate with the teachers around you to make the most of your time at work. Classroom volunteers -- parents, grandparents and community members -- are also a resource, and many are willing to come in a set schedule. Avoid stressing over multiple classes and lesson plans. Share ideas, and use them in your classroom. Teaching is a field where “two heads are truly better than one.”
No matter how effective you are with time management, you may still have a certain assignment that you want to mark before going to bed, or a chapter that you need to review before giving a quiz on it. However, master teachers will never be “finished.” You must set a particular curfew for yourself each night. Allow yourself time to spend with your loved ones. Your time away from your students is invaluable in avoiding burnout. A teacher who feels refreshed is usually a teacher who looks forward to returning to the classroom.
Teaching is a field of service, and the majority of teachers often want to do more than they are physically able. While the classroom can be demanding, so can the extracurricular activities. Before you begin the school year, make a note to yourself listing the number of activities you’re willing to do. Once you have this recorded, use it as a tool to help you maintain realistic expectations. Sometimes you will have to say no. If students come to you requesting that you attend their games, or to sponsor a club they want to start, you may have to direct them to someone else who can assist them. As long as you help them find support for their interests, you are still actively involved in their lives and development.
Students often learn much more than academic lessons from teachers. They study their teacher’s appearance, disposition, and reactions to everyday occurrences. With this in mind, you’ll want to strategically manage your classroom. It is important that you remain consistent with your classroom rules and expectations. Always provide the consequences that you have promised your students. If they arrive to class tardy, have them make up the time after school. If they are becoming too talkative, speak with them and contact their parents. Consistency in the classroom will enhance your learning community, resulting in minimal time spent disciplining students.
As you gain experience in the classroom, it is important that you save all lesson plans and materials so the work you did creating them will save you time and work later. Be sure to keep both electronic and hard copies of all documents, including student health and administrative documents. As a teacher, you want to maximize your time spent working with students and parents, so do all that you can to organize all assignments and documents. Chances are good that you will need to refer to these documents throughout your years of teaching.