What I Learned My First Year Teaching High School

Having successfully completed my first year teaching, I must say I have learned a lot–a lot about myself, this profession and humans. In light of it being graduation I thought I might share what I have learned this past year.

• Parents have way too much power.
• Students think they have the power to get you fired.
• There are administrative teams that do support their staff.
• You can try with all your might to pick pieces of literature that students will enjoy and they STILL will find something to criticize about it.
• Students should actually be called complainers.
• This generation is losing the ability to imagine.
• Fifteen year olds do not understand the romantic love of Romeo and Juliet.
• “Are we going to watch the movie?” is a student’s way of asking, “When in hell are you going to stop talking about this crap, lady?”
• Grammar is becoming obsolete.
• Children are over tested.
• Teachers are expected to take the blame for the apathy of students.
• Teachers are also expected to motivate even be a sort of cheerleader to get the kids excited about learning.
• Very few students actually enjoy the subject I teach.
• Teacher need each other for support and ventilation.
• Teenage boys are horny McHorny pants.
• Don’t put up with anyone’s bull. Stand up for yourself cause chances are no one else will.
• Explaining how unethical cheating and plagiarism at times, feels futile.
• There will be some students who break your heart.
• Do NOT take things personally.
• There are too many interruptions, none of which encourage school spirit.
• Go to events at your school and let students see you are indeed human.
• Ask for help if you need it.
• You can have a quiet day, if you wish it.
• If you love it chances are they will see something they love in it too.
• Saying good-bye to your first class of students is surprisingly challenging.
• Never let them know it bothers you.
• Do NOT raise your voice.
• They know when you don’t know what you’re taking about.
• You will have to repeat directions so many more times than necessary.
• Students believe bringing pencils, pens, and paper is not necessary.
• The time off makes SOME of the BS worth it.
• Watching kids grow socially and intellectually is so rewarding.
• You cannot reach everyone.
• You are probably doing a better job than you think.
• Teaching Frankenstein is worth hearing all the complaining.
• Teaching poetry is by far the most difficult.
• You can’t MAKE them care.
• The students have the ability to make you smile, even when you’re trying to be a hard ass.
• Even though it is not appropriate at times, sometimes you have to laugh with the students.
• You’ll laugh way more than anything else.
• Although hard as hell, it gets easier as the year goes and is so worth it.

Good times.

Tags: Education, First year teaching, high school, lessons in teaching, students, Teaching, Teens