I know, I know…I’ve offended every “old” teacher reading this. Don’t feel bad, I’m an old teacher, too. However, look passed the insult and take a breath. I think NEW teachers can offer a lot to us OLD teachers…but we have to listen.
1. I am excited.

NEW teachers are excited.
They are ready to change the lives of students in their class.
They will take lumps of clay and make beautiful works of art out of every single student in their class.
They will help educate the next President, CEO, and doctor.
They believe it can be done.
They haven’t been jaded by “the system” or the outside influences in a child’s life.
They know their value and they know they can do it. Let’s not break their spirit coming out of the gate. Try desperately to resist the “we tried that ten years ago” or “that just doesn’t work.”
Trying it ten years ago is different than trying it today. Trying it with these colleagues and this administration and these materials may make all the difference.
Let their excitement excite you. For once, let their excitement be contagious.
2. I am educated.
NEW teachers only know now.
They only know what they were taught in college and what they experienced in their practicum and student teaching placements.
Colleges are working hard to prepare our teachers with 21st Century skills.
They are exposed to current research and best practices.
They have a lot to offer, if we listen to them.
Unfortunately, some of the OLD teachers in schools today want to teach what they taught 20 years ago…definitely not 21st century.
NEW teachers don’t know “how it used to be” they only know how it is. To be blunt, some of the worst offenders of the teaching profession are old teachers. Do not show them Round Robin reading, classrooms set up in rows to discourage collaboration and connection, or worksheet, worksheet, worksheet.
Let them TEACH you what is new and best practices of today.
3. I am open.
New teachers are open to new programs. Let them be open.
Let them be open to push-in service instead of pull-out service for their special needs students in an effort to do what’s best for the student.
Let them be open to new ways to group students.
Let them be open to having the sibling of the student who made your day long.
They don’t know the sibling and might have a completely different experience with their student. Don’t infect their knowledge with your prejudices. We all want to be valued on our own merit, not that of our siblings or colleagues or your reputation.
4. I am inspired by you.
In my case, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.
I was inspired by my fourth grade teacher to learn how to draw a flower dissection.
I was inspired by my sixth grade teacher to think outside the box with lessons.
I was inspired by my English teacher to give students a rubric to let them know what is expected, what to improve and what to do to get an “A.”
I was inspired by my chorus teacher to make my students believe I love them.
New teachers want to be inspired by you. You have been doing it a long time and they hope they will love their job LIKE YOU. Don’t tarnish their inspiration with negativity. Is teaching different? Yes. Do they know that? No. Let them be inspired by the teacher you are: someone who has seen changes and differences and you stuck with it. Someone who somewhere in the deepest part of their being stuck with being a teacher because it mattered.
5. I am a teacher.
I am your colleague, your equal, your partner, and you are my mentor.
We are a team.
I have earned the right to be on this team and I will be a valuable part of the team, if you let me.
I want to be like you.
Make sure you are who you want me to be. Will I need your help? Yes.
I will need your uncorrupted experience to help me put these best practices into practice.
I want to learn from you.
My FREEBIE today is the printable quote about teaching.
Print it and post it somewhere for you to see daily.
now that you make a difference…and so do NEW teachers.
CLICK HERE for the FREEBIE Inspiration Poster.