Heather Miller's Teaching Portfolio



Heather MillerEntry PlanEDUC 385The first day of school is a very exciting time for not only the students in the classroom, but for the teachers, administrators and other assistants that walk into the building that day. It is the start to a great year and to touching the lives of students as they grow academically. What seems like an exciting and easy day however, can be very nerve-racking and scary for a first year teacher. Now it is time to take the class into your own hands and discover what it is like to be a teacher on your own with your own students. As a teacher, it is now your responsibility to take control and to prepare for what the year has in store for you. In order to prepare for my first year, I interviewed two teachers to gain some advice, tips, and knowledge about how to handle being a first year teacher. The two teachers I interviewed were Amy Smeltzer, my cooperating teacher for student teaching from the Red Lion Area School District, and Mary VonFricken, a third year teacher who currently teaches in St. Mary’s County School System in Maryland. After interviewing both of these teachers, I came to find that although their answers to my questions about being a first year teacher were somewhat similar, there were also some differences as well. I think this is due to more experience in the field of education from one teacher compared to the other. The best advice that I took away from these two different interviews however were that you always need to be prepared, plan ahead, and do not be afraid to ask for help. After interviewing these two wonderful and successful teachers, I also researched on my own different ways to be successful during my first year as a teacher. Throughout my research, I turned to a book called “The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher” by Harry K. Wong. Throughout this book I found various tips on how I could become an effective teacher. One thing I picked out from the book specifically said that an effective teacher communicates with parents and students before school starts and greets the students with positive expectations (Wong, 2009, p. 112). I think this is especially important for first year teachers to remember because although school officially starts the day that the students walk through your classroom door, teachers need to be prepared in advance and have collaboration with the parents and students before the first day begins. Throughout my student teaching experience I also got to experience and start to see what my first year of teaching will look like. As I got down to my final weeks during student teaching, I began to realize that I was always planning ahead and I was being flexible in my planning. One of the biggest things I took away from student teaching is that you need to be flexible when you are planning your lessons. Some lessons might be perfect, where as others you need to adapt and change which requires more time. Whatever the case may be, if you plan ahead and are flexible in what you are planning then no time should be wasted and students will be learning all throughout the school day in your classroom. Overall, I have come to realize that although the first year of teaching may be exciting, stressful, and nerve-racking all in one, if you plan ahead and are organized, and if you realize that there are multiple resources out there including mentor teachers and administrators that will help you along the way, then you are guaranteed to have a successful first year of teaching!Work CitedSmeltzer, A. (2015, April 1). Veteran Teacher [Personal interview].VonFricken, M. (2015, April 1). Third-year Teacher [E-mail interview].Wong, H., & Wong, R. (2009). The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher (Fourth ed.). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications. Before School Begins:Obtain list of students in your classSend out welcome letter to parents and to studentsCollect:IEP and 504 plansSchool ProceduresFire Drill ProceduresCrisis PlansStudent Information SheetsArrange and Organize your classroomPost classroom RulesOrder SuppliesPaper, Construction Paper, Colored PaperPencilsMarkersCrayonsHighlightersErasersFoldersGlue SticksThree-ring bindersStapler, staples, staple removerSticky notesClipboardsDry Erase boards and markersMake a seating chart and decide how you will place the students in their seats on the first dayGather class textbooksOrganize classroom libraryArrange furniture in a way that is conducive to learning and makes for easy transitionsPrepare bulletin boards that are welcoming and inviting to the students for the first dayPlan and organize how you will create classroom rules for the yearMeet with your principal and mentor teacherMark calendar for important days throughout the year Prepare student folders and information for the first day to send home to parentsThe First Days of School:Have students help in planning the classroom rules for the year and post the rules in the room where all students can view them easily Prepare several get to know you games and activities for the students to get to know one another and for you to get to know the studentsGreet students at the door and shake their hand every morningReview school rules and procedures with the studentsPractice classroom routines regularlyBe prepared for any questions the students may haveHave a plan for the day and for the first few weeks of school, display a chart that shows students the plan for the dayLearn all the names of your students quicklyEstablish good classroom management skillsHave fun activities planned for when the students first come in in the morning after they get unpacked and have a morning message displayed in the classroomReinforce positive behavior The First Week of School:Have your lessons prepared in advanceContinuously review classroom rules, procedures and expectationsCreate a classroom newsletter to send home to parents both in paper and email form or on a classroom website each weekHave the students create an “All About Me” project to introduce themselves to the rest of the classCreate a substitute folder with all important informationCreate a classroom environment where all students feel respected and welcomeDon’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it! That is what mentor teachers and administrators are for.Move furniture or seats if needed to create a more effective seating arrangement in your classroom Stay organized and keep your students organized and on task during activitiesCreate easy transition songs or attention grabbers Be flexible!Reflect on what is working or what may need to be changed for the futureThe First Year of Teaching:Take pictures of your classroom arrangement so you have an idea about how you may want to set up your classroom again next yearSave student work or lessons that were successfulKeep a calendar of when you taught lessons and units throughout the yearAttend a variety of professional development activities and conferences Continuously reflect on your teaching!Have fun and enjoy your first year of being a teacher! ................
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