Tips and advice for new student teachers
- There will be a lot of ups and downs. But the ups always seem to outweigh the downs. I think it’s important to understand that things won’t always be perfect but if you have a strong support system you can tackle any challenge you are faced with. -Jamie Lynn
- Whatever you choose to undertake (CDE’s, SAE’s) do them with 100% effort. Commit yourself to the processes, learn from your mistakes, ask for help, and don’t take on more than you can commit excellence to. -Rosemary Cummings
- Get to know the people in the profession and the ag industry and then ask a lot of questions! From your local section to throughout the state... use those resources. The stories and experience that they have are not written in a text book and I don’t think there is an app for that. -Luis M. Guerra
- It is ok not to know everything as you enter the profession, in fact it's even ok to ask for help from more experienced colleagues-it helps create a positive bond for you to ask questions and for your mentor to feel helpful! Having a new teacher is as exciting and scary for an experienced teacher as it is for the rookie teacher starting out, the balance of learning a new personality takes time. Another thing, support other Ag programs- go to their fundraiser dinners and invite them to yours, take your students to events with other chapters. It's a great way for you AND your students to network! -Shannon Browning
- Most things aren’t going to go just as you planned them. Whether it is in the classroom or at an FFA event, you have to be ready to adapt your plan as needed. It may not seem like you have time for everything. Just take it day by day, do what you can and do it well! -Adeline Amador
- My biggest piece of advice is to find a mentor. I began in the profession without one and since have learned that I would’ve been much better off had I found my mentor earlier. Last year I reached out to a teacher I respect tremendously and have since relied on him for honest advice, encouragement and a source of wisdom. The best experienced teachers have learned lessons that can help guide our decisions while we are young. I am certain I would’ve learned to be patient, for example, had I asked Mr. Koelewyn to be my mentor when I was a younger teacher. I think also as young teachers we need an example of how to manage our lives as professionals; a good mentor will do that. We need counsel on how to prioritize our time; a good mentor will do that. We need someone outside of our departments who can enable us to reflect and grow from difficult situations; a good mentor will most certainly do that. -Dane White