Rule of 5 - Mentors make the Difference
The Rule of 5: the five people a first year teacher needs as they begin their first year EVER or in a new district. First year teachers need support as they navigate their first teaching assignment in a new school. If the first year teacher is a veteran teacher, the number could be less, but as a first year teacher EVER, all five people are necessary. I’m calling this the teacher's personal advisory board. The five advisors on this board are a department/grade level advisor, a veteran teacher who understands the rules/contract/community, an advisor with great classroom management, an advisor with classroom aesthetics, and a self-care advisor or friend. Please note, I have not included the principal and supervisor as an advisor. Why is this?
Principals SHOULD be an advisor to first hired teachers. A really good principal is like a quarterback of a football team, in the game, leading the charge on offense, reading the defense of the opponent, and making changes necessary to move the ball down the field. What often happens in education is the principal is so busy with all the tasks that need to be completed before school starts, that it’s difficult to stop to help someone new to the building. Principals always have good intentions – at least the principals that I’ve had in my experiences. Which means when they’re prioritizing their workload, they aren’t thinking of people, necessarily; they’re thinking of jobs. That isn’t meant to sound harsh, but it’s the truth. There are many, many roles that principals play. If there are logistical questions to start the new school year, like where’s my room, where will I get a key, what about access to the curriculum by all means, ask. But for everything else, rely on your mentors. A good department or grade level leader will help with most everything.
Starting with 1
It’s been a standard, as of 2002, to have one mentor assigned to a new hire. This person is typically in the same department or teaching in the same grade level. Sometimes a new teacher might be assigned someone who is NOT in the same department or grade level. Sometimes it’s because it widens the scope of the colleagues’ experiences and it allows different departments to exchange ideas, give different perspectives. Why is a department mentor better, one might wonder?
A new teacher will have many, many questions that will relate to their discipline, and having a mentor who teaches something completely different would either “wing it,” or would need to introduce the new hire to another teacher who could help, regardless. So wouldn’t it be wise to have this first mentor be someone who could help with curriculum, lesson planning, and where to find the supplies needed to carry through the lesson?
Finding the Four
Once the new teacher induction phase is complete, typically a week or so before all staff report to school, it’s important for a new teacher to pay attention to their school’s teacher leaders. It is during those first weeks of school where a new teacher will search out their four other mentors. A good mentor will give a tour of their building and introduce the new hire to all of their colleagues. It’s important to listen and maybe take note of who in the building could complete the teacher learning community for that new hire. What teachers’ styles match theirs, if you will. This might take more than the first week of inservice before school starts, but certainly within the first month of school, be aware of who might be a “good fit” for the learning community.
2 - Veteran Teacher
A veteran teacher in the district is another mentor within the teacher learning community. A veteran teacher in the building might reach out to a new hire just to let them know that if they have or need anything, they’re available. This mentor understands the community, the school culture, the staff handbook, and could also help guide other aspects of mentoring, like classroom management, and other things. The veteran teacher has a way to deal with parent emails or concerns. This mentor has had a volume of stories that might help, depending on the issue. A veteran teacher understands what is and is not important in the “big scheme of things.” Regardless, if there’s ever a question of “should” and “should nots” the veteran teacher will know.
3 - Classroom Management
A third mentor to include in the teacher learning community is a teacher who has great classroom management. Unless a new teacher had a student teaching experience or clinical experience with many behavior issues, with the help of a cooperating teacher, some new teachers haven’t ANY experience with students who misbehave. Good classroom management begins immediately. So this begs the question - how does one know who has good classroom management or not?
This is the one time where patience is the key. Observation is important. If you are an elementary or middle school teacher, pay attention to how the teacher is speaking with his/her students. How are the kids in the hallways, on their way to lunch or other less-supervised areas? If kids are running wild, look in another direction. If you’re a high school teacher, pay attention to what kids are saying in the classroom. Kids talk. And if you’re not sure, ask them.
I remember talking with a new math teacher who told me that he asked his sophomore class of geometry students, “Hey, I’ve seen Mrs. McGee around the building, how are things done in her room?” And then he shared with me some of the things that kids said - things like, “She doesn’t put up with any funny business, but she does let us have some fun.” OR “She’s pretty strict.” OR “She’s firm but fair.” I told the math teacher that all of those things are true. I talk to the kids respectfully, but I do NOT put up with any shenanigans, and they know it immediately.
I’d hate to say that the veteran teachers that I worked with when I first started teaching were right when they said, “Don’t smile until Christmas,” so I won’t. BUT…and that’s a BIG BUT, there is something to be said about making clear what is and is not acceptable and stick with the consequences, if they’re not. It DOES send a tone and doing it with a smile is even better!
Listen to the kids, ask other colleagues, even the department mentor who, in their opinion, has a well-run classroom. Then ask that person if they’re willing to be a part of the teacher learning community as a mentor. Teachers are busy, but not so busy that they don’t want to help out their colleagues. It only takes a few minutes to talk about what to do with classroom rules at the beginning. THEN when it comes to situations throughout the year, the mentor can offer advice.
4 - Classroom Aesthetics
Classroom aesthetics are important, not only for students to feel welcome in the environment that a new teacher is creating, but it also gives the room a “vibe.” Some classes, based on what grade level or discipline is taught, might be restricted because of the size of the room and the seating provided. I used to have a TON of posters in my room - some inspirational, some with academic help. I’ve realized that less is more. If there are more distractions on the wall, windows, or doors, a student who has anxiety or is just easily distracted, would have a difficult time getting started on their work. I have different areas in my classroom.
Near the bookshelves, I have a carpet with some camping chairs and a few pillows. I have a pub table with a few “fidgets” in a bowl for students who might need them. I also have director chairs near a charging station, if kids need or want to sit comfortably as they write. I have white Christmas lights on the back wall and red lights on the front, along the whiteboard. I have two wooden signs on two different walls that are inspirational. My room is relatively small, small enough that I cannot create pods of desks, so my room’s seating is very industrial (unfortunately). Which is why I’ve created these other spots when there’s work time. What I have in my room is not what appeals to everyone.
Clearly science rooms have lab tables with sinks, same with art and tech ed. Each department in high school might create a different “vibe” for learning. Elementary and middle school classrooms create spaces for collaboration and small group work. The point is each teacher puts their own spin on their room. It’s important in the first few days or weeks to wander the school and see what other classrooms look like. What style matches? What kind of organization is shown within the classroom? All of these items matter, because it is not only a first impression of the students, but families, too.
5 - Self-Care
The final mentor in this community includes a self-care person. This person may reveal him/herself immediately, or they might evolve with a little time. Once a new teacher starts eating in the lounge or going out for lunch on “non-kid” days, they might find they connect with some people pretty easily. Hang onto those people! They are in place for you to unwind with. They are there to not only vent your day, if necessary, but also to go for a walk with. Self-care is so important in life, just to de-escalate a stressful day or even just for a proactive, healthy way to process the day. A self-care mentor could be someone to go out with on a Friday night, happy hour (I’d suggest in a different town from the job), or a movie, or after school workouts, or just talking through a breakfast “check-in” over coffee or tea.
Teachers are unusual people. I say this because in all of my years of teaching, and teaching in five different schools, teachers “get” teachers. Spouses, friends, family might try to understand what a typical day could bring, but teachers most definitely empathize.
And from my experience, using humor is THE BEST. Laughter brings me joy when I’m stressed out. All I need to do is either call my teacher “bestie” or send her an IM to which she’ll respond with a teacher meme or gif or reel, and I’m good. It puts everything into perspective, and sometimes that’s all a person needs.
The first few weeks of school are the toughest for new teachers. There are so many things that are thrown at them, it seems as though they’ve bitten more off than they could chew. It’s exhausting. I’m here to tell you that these mentors will make sure that all situations can be handled.
The anticipation of the weeks ahead are the most exciting! A new teacher is able to use the methods and the practice that they’ve received in their training to use. It’s a hopeful time in a teacher’s life! And with the proper preparation, it will remain positive! Now, go find your people!
❤️All of this is written in my book - Keep Teaching, found on Amazon
