Great question and a pertinent issue to student teachers and classroom teachers, in general.  Here’s my attempt to answering this question, but would love to hear from our global community additional suggestions/tips/advice.

I’ve seen many teachers struggle with classroom management, and I’ve mentored numerous teachers through it.  The most important aspect about classroom management is to do what you are comfortable with.  Trying to fit into someone else’s mode will lead to disaster.  That’s not to say that you cannot learn and steal ideas from others;  I encourage this.  But, in the end, it’s mediated through your personal approach to classroom management.  In short, let your classroom management reflect who you are.  Second, develop authentic relationship with the students.  Take some easy steps: send positive notes home, call home, or greet each student as they enter the classroom (shaking their hand and telling them how excited you are to see them).  Caution – it should be authentic.  Students will see through baloney or efforts that signal that you are trying to hard.  Next, deliver high quality instruction and rigorous content.  This may seem cliché, but in all my years of teaching and mentoring struggling teachers it works.  Students gain respect for you as a teacher when they see/feel they are learning a great deal and are so busy with the learning they don’t act out (most of the time).   Finally, be consistent in what you say and do.  Students will note inconsistencies and exploit them.  Be consistent.

Teachers are a unique group with certain talents far beyond individuals in other professions. However, with all their knowledge and know-how, what happens when they’re uprooted from a well-known environment and placed in a world totally unlike their familiar surroundings? Change in life is inevitable, as indeed teachers will inform their students in hopes to prepare them for an uncertain future. However, can teachers adjust to change themselves? A necessary switch from teaching the subject you love and are passionate about can be challenging to the most dedicated of teachers, whether in online colleges or conventional schoolhouses.

When teachers are placed in new positions where they have little or no experience in a particular subject, it can be overwhelming. More work will be involved with preparing lessons, and the learning process can be hindered for students if the teacher can’t cope with acquiring new competencies, developing new pedagogy, and adapting to the new environment.

Teachers must take time to learn the requirements that will be necessary for them to teach their new classes effectively. Gathering and assessing information from previous instructors or from current students about what they had been learning would be a helpful place to start. It would not only aid in determining what material the new teacher needs to brush up on, but also how to hold students’ attention. The assessment process may be a bit time-consuming, but in the end it will be worth the effort in determining exactly where the incoming class stands academically.

Keeping stress levels as low as possible is necessary for anybody to adapt to any new situation. If the teacher is stressed, the learning experience of the entire class will likely be stressful as well. 67 percent of teachers responding to a stress management survey said their jobs were extremely stressful. Whether intentionally or not, teachers set the mood for their classes by their own demeanor and comportment. Their actions will determine how well their classes responds to lessons and activities and ultimately will decide their success as teachers. Accordingly, getting stress under control is one of the most important steps to adapting to changed teaching routine.

The majority of teachers say they chose to teach because they want to make a difference in students’ lives. This is accomplished by challenging, inspiring, motivating, and encouraging their students. Being forced to explore a new frontier can build courage, strength, and know-how as teachers learn they are completely capable of adjusting to change. Remembering why you became a teacher will help this transformation happen more easily, and in time you might even learn to enjoy your new post.

Change isn’t always a bad thing, but more often that not is unwanted and unforeseen. In teaching it can be devastating news to learn the class you’ve taught for years is no longer your responsibility, and you are required to just walk away from the familiar and face a completely unfamiliar class.

Teachers can cope with change, and must realize it can be a good thing if they allow it to be. Because they not only have opportunity to broaden their skills in a new field of study, but also have the chance to exercise creative innovations with a new class, even an unsought reassignment to an unfamiliar subject could still be a blessing in disguise.

contributed by Natalie Hunter with onlineschools.org

I posted an article on RoadtoTeaching’s Facebook page that reports some schools are embracing tablets – namely the iPad – in lieu of textbooks.  These type of articles often pop up from time-t0-time.  Frankly, it’s a shame this trend hasn’t gotten more traction.

Introducing iPads with a high-quality open-source curriculum shatters a lot of the status quo in our education system,  mainly reducing our costly reliance on (outdated as soon as they are printed) textbooks – a 5.5 billion dollar industry for secondary schools.  

Yet, integrating iPads and open-source curriculum into the school environment MUST be viewed and treated as resources. In this respect these resources need to be thoughtfully utilized, avoiding wasting taxpayer money and – worse – negatively affecting student learning.

School leaders (including teachers) need to assess what the end-game is.  What is the purpose of using iPads instead of traditional textbooks and what student outcomes will be affected?  This must be measured to give accountability to all stakeholders.

Next, developing a thorough implementation plan is necessary to identifying challenges/barriers to using iPads.  Barriers may range from teacher resistance in giving up their treasured textbook to I.T. departments worried about iPads being stolen.

This plan must also identify supplementary resources to make the iPads successful.  School leaders will FAIL if they simply buy the iPads and place them in the classrooms.  An example of a supplementary resource is ensuring on-going professional development (a resource) is in place to assist teachers in this technology transition.

Now I am really getting on my soapbox….

Innovation – of teaching, resource-management, curriculum, student support – needs to be at the heart of our education system.  Let’s hope our school leaders begin to take the bold and necessary steps to ensure our teachers and students get the 21st century tools they need to be successful.

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Additional articles of interest…

Low-cost textbooks for college students make debut

seattletimes.nwsource.com - The state community-college board is creating low-cost textbooks and course materials and distributing them online for free in a new program that rolled out Monday.

Utah open textbook project

This site is examining cost effectiveness and educational effectiveness of open textbooks.

by teachercrispy

Short answer – NO.

Longer Answer – Last year, I moved 2000 miles across country, from a conservative area to a liberal area, and since I am a social studies teacher, I was plagued constantly by the inevitable “and what do you coach” question. Since I am as far from athletic as you can possibly get short of paraplegia, my answer to that question seemed to consistently and repeatedly doom me to the “we like you, but” response to an interview. But I did get a job, although it wasn’t as soon as I would have liked, and I got the perfect job….eventually.

Don’t despair if you don’t yet have a job and you are beginning to panic. Several of my close teacher friends weren’t hired until after school had already started. Is it ideal? No, but many districts and schools, for whatever reason, end up having to hire teachers after school starts. Most of the time it is a budget issue that gets worked out at the last minute, clearing the way for them to hire you.

So what can you do to expedite the situation?

1. Keep checking the online job postings. By this time, you probably have an idea of the district (or two or three) that appeal to you the most.

2. Be open to applying for a job that wouldn’t necessarily be your first choice. For example, teaching junior high instead of high school or part time instead of a full time position. Getting your foot in the door will make a difference down the road. One of my friends accepted a position as a junior high math teacher, and then the next year when a high school teacher retired, was moved up into the high school into the position that he had originally wanted.

3. Seriously consider substitute teaching. Many teachers have gotten positions because they got to know the administration, faculty, and students in a particular school or district by subbing – giving them a leg-up in the interview process. In some cases, subbing can be ideal for a first year teacher. There is generally no grading to do and little to no planning. You can work as much or as little as you want, and a good sub will most likely be employed every single school day. Believe me, teachers long for good subs they can trust.

Finally, and above all, do not get discouraged. Not getting a job doesn’t mean you aren’t a good teacher – you just haven’t found quite the right school yet. Good luck!

Road to Teaching’s most popular page – Teacher Interview Questions –  receives approximately 290,000 pageview a year.  This is an incredible viewership, which made me wonder how our visitors interpret the current job market.  Media reports the dire economic situation we are in, but is this reality?  Specifically, is this the reality for the teacher job market?  Please take a minute and take our poll to give your perspective on the job market.  Has it been difficult or easy to find your teaching job?

We can’t get through the day with0ut hearing about the economy.  Well, the bad economy has impacted education, specifically teacher hiring.  In some districts, hiring has been frozen. This weekend I spoke with a principal who said his hands are tied.  He can’t move on any hiring until this summer (when the District will release their budget).  This is extremely frustrating to principals who tend to want to wrap up their teacher hirings in April and May.  Its even more frustrating to aspiring teachers (job applicants) who are wondering when they will get an interview.

I asked the principal what his advice is to those teacher job applicants.  His advice was to ” keep being persistant.”  Here are some other ideas:

• Arrange to visit the school
• Talk with the school’s teachers
• Get (keep) your face and name out there
• Learn how to get your foot in the school door (read Road to Teaching: A Guide to Teacher Training, Student Teaching, and Finding a Job)
• Read other teacher interview/hiring strategies (Student teacher topics)
• Don’t give up!!!

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It’s getting close to graduation for many students.  This brings a great deal of joy and excitement about what’s ahead, and for others (undocumented students)…confusion and frustration.  These feelings intensified with the failure of the U.S. Congress to move forward on the Dream Act.

It’s likely that you will have undocumented students in your class at some point.  At times, the children will share with you that they have no status, especially if the children are in high school, thinking about college and other post-secondary plans.  This is an extremely sensitive and confidential matter.  These undocumented students, lacking governmental financial support, have serious decisions to make about their future plans.

Below are great resources for you – as the teacher – to provide to your undocumented students and their families.  The resources will answer questions about college, funding, and job placement.  This will help the students and their families make an informed decision as they move forward.  So far the feedback I’ve received from my own students and their families has been very positive!

Resources provided by Educators for Fair Consideration

How to Support College-Bound Undocumented Students: Advice for Parents (English)

How to Support College-Bound Undocumented Students: Advice for Parents (Spanish)

For all grade-level educators: Check out this link for other insightful resources for educators working with undocumented students.

I am not a big fan of flaming the fire with more bad news, but I have to call it as I see it.  This is a horrible time to looking for a job as a teacher, regardless of the type of teaching degree, speciality, or certification. I have been receiving emails from across the country about teachers having trouble landing jobs. It’s almost everywhere.

The problem is in the uncertainty.  Districts and states are in a holding pattern, waiting to see how state and federal budgets will shake out.  By mid-May we should start to see school districts assessing the budgetary landscape and making hiring decisions.

What do I do then?

I outline three themes in my book to getting your teaching  job:  organize, network, and diversify yourself from other job seekers.  Here are just a few suggestions:

Organize

• Track your network (of persons that may assist in you getting a job) and the frequency of communication you have with them.
• Schedule your future job seeking opportunities, visiting prospective schools and job fairs.
• Track your applications statuses to schools/districts.

Network

• Email friends and make use of network sites, such as LinkedIn to let them know you are looking for a teaching job
• Attend job fairs and make friendly (not annoying) contact with hiring principals after the event.

Diversify

• Volunteer in community organizations and political organizations.  It is no secret that teachers and principals are highly active and visible in community service.  Join and volunteer in various organizations, allow you to develop new skills, freshen up your resume, help others, and expand your network.

Good luck in your job search!

I found this video on TED.com.   It shows how to create a Smart Board, an interactive white board, from a Wii remote and some other minor hardware. If you are a teacher that could utilize this technology this is the way to go. I am sure that it would impress your  students!