First Year Teacher Isolation

[PureFlowage]

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[AW2245]

I know how you feel. I felt that way my first year, and sometimes I do even after 6 years of teaching! Teaching is a very isolating profession. Once you become a teacher, you may never see another person teach again! That part really stinks as we can go so much from watching others. My advice to you would be that you need to make some friendships with the other teachers. I know you're busy, but you will function better if you take that lunch break and enjoy some adult conversation. Also, lunch is a great time to ask questions of others! I know you feel like a burden, but I always feel honored when a less experienced teacher asks me questions. It makes me feel good to help someone else! The only way you're going to learn is to ask...we've all been there, so don't sweat it! Good luck :)

[mopar]

Definitely use your lunch time to talk to other teachers at least a few days a week. Like on Fridays when you have the weekend to recover. When you eat lunch with others, don't make it Q/A time. Talk about life and movies and tv, etc. You need to get to know the others on a personal level. Be sure to pay attention to b-days and anything going on in others lives-births, deaths, hospitalization, weddings, etc. Its okay to ask a few questions at lunch but most teachers don't want to discuss work during their breaks.

[Boxcar]

I think it is wise to use lunch as a starting point.

I agree that you should try to learn the other teachers as people, not just co-workers. Listen to what they talk about. Remember their names and stories. Ask about things they mention later on. For example, if Tanya says she has to take her dog to the vet, ask about it the next day. People love being remembered and heard.

You might try to make time for this at least twice a week. Consider it networking.

Whenever you see one of your fellow teachers in the hallways, greet him or her with a smile, a hello, and use their name. This is so easy to do, and it makes you look friendly.

[EricDNA]

Been there. Take a lunch or break away from work. You are too absorbed and need to take care of your emotional needs first. Normal to feel out of place and some experienced teachers are very shelfish and won't offer help, sad, but true. They want you to suffer like they did. Try to find someone, even if online to share concerns with. See a professional and don't feel bad, most teachers need to see one. Don't beat yourself up, keep doing your best and relax. It does get easier in time so give yourself that time. Don't overwork on school stuff. Little by little, day by day, OK:? email me anytime.
ericd2day@yahoo.com
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[avaroe]

Hello!!

I am a first year out teacher as well!! I totally understand how you feel! I was a bit intimidated at the start, especially because my school is a brand new school that doesn't teach separate subjects. We teach integrated units of work with 2 other teachers in the room :eek: .

So there I was, first day of teaching - and in the room with 2 other experienced teachers. After my first week though, I found it was of great benefit. Not only have I learnt a heap about classroom management off the others, but I have been able to integrate fresh ideas for them.

I only teach with those teachers for 5 weeks and then we swap around. So I get to know everyone and learn different styles

Noone sees me as a 'first year out' teacher, but rather just a teacher - one of them. Im sure that's how you are seen at school (although prob don't feel like it!) I think if you just put yourself out there, you will be fine! If you show an interest in the lunch room, things should flow on from there. Perhaps even suggest Friday afternoon drinks with some of your collegues that you think you could hit it off with?

All the best.

[Boxcar]

Wow. I would have been so nervous to be in a classroom with to experienced teachers. I can see the benefits, of course, but I still would have been afraid of making myself look incompetant.

I'm glad you were able to learn from these teachers. I'm sure you're all the better for it!

[mopar]

I was kind of in that situation too, except I was teaching with the teacher for a year. It was very hard to get used to each other. The five week switches would have been nice to get to know people. However, when you find someone you click with it is hard to give that up.

One more teacher suggestion: Try bringing in treats for your team a few different days. People love treats, especially if you can bake anything. Also, offer to watch a movie with another class or something small. Older teachers appreciate the little gestures.

[eyd]

I have been teaching for six years at two different schools and I felt that way when I started teaching at both schools. If there is a social committe join it. Both schools had a social committee. The social committe at my current school does more for us then the one at my previous school

About six-seven teachers form a committee. In order to join the comittee you pay $50.00 per teacher and $35 for paraprofessionals, lunchroom workers, and engineers to join.

On professional development and teacher institute lunch is ordered for us and it gives us an opportunity to talk to each other. They also organize other events.

Also every teacher pay day we meet at a restaurant to talk and vent about our week. Find out if there is a social committee in your school.

[leafy seadragon]

Another way I found was to volunteer to help on some of the special projects that school had going. Then you learn to know people as you are working on something together. When the project is over you often find you know each other very well. It takes a while for people to get to know you especially if the other staff have been there for a while. Smile, say hello to everyone you walk past, ask about their weekend, quickly. You leave a friendly impression and after a while the conversations become longer and before you know it you have work friends. Some schools I've been at have a buddy, menotirng type system for new teachers that works really well. There should be more of this. The first couple of years are really hard, but it gets easier, your confidence builds and before you know it, you've got the hang of it. Good luck. Don't overlook the kids, a nice conversation on playground duty helps with feeling part of the school. I volunteered for dance group and really enjoyed the time with the kids. The dance group went well and from it I made connections with staff, parents and teachers from other schools. Fabulous!

[mopar]

Volunteering is a great idea! And definitely join the social club if possible.

[Chef Dave]

Having lunch in the faculty lounge would be a good way to get to know other teachers ... but be warned. Some teachers are notorious gossips. Some schools are also very "political" with teachers forming into various cliques.

Be careful about what you say because you never know who is listening.

When I was a young 4th grade teacher, a brown noser on my grade level came up with the idea of having a Texas chili cook off between our respective classes. Each kid would be asked to contribute $1.00 to defray the cost of buying ingredients.

The only problem I had with this idea was the person who organized this wanted to invite all building administrators, district office personnel, and school board members to the cook off.

What would the kids get?

For a $1.00 contribution, they'd get a 1 oz. portion cup of chili.

Big whoopie.

Since these kids were low income inner city kids, I took exception to the idea of giving a 1 oz. portion cup of chili to students while each adult got a bowl.

I made the mistake of suggesting (during lunch in the lounge) that the idea of a chili cook off was "stupid."

Someone overheard me and passed my comment on. I was later called into the principal's office and lectured about "team spirit" and being more "supportive."

Being a nice person who really didn't want to coerce me into participation, the principal gave me a choice. I could either join my grade level or produce chili with my class.

Not only did I opt to produce chili with my class but I paid for all of the ingredients. Each of my kids got a piece of cornbread and a bowl of chili. I wasn't about to charge them $1.00 for a 1 oz. portion cup.

[mopar]

Yes rumors do spread in the school environment. I've seen plenty of comments turned around. However, way to get your kids involved without charging them for it!

[Brimir]

One way that I have found to connect with other teachers is to ask them questions. If you need help with a lesson, or like something you saw they had on display in the hall, go and ask them about it. They will feel good knowing you like what they do, and most teachers like to help out! :)

[Chef Dave]

You could make a start by getting to know the teachers at your grade level. Offer to treat them to lunch in your classroom. Pack a simple picnic lunch. You could have a small fruit platter, some sandwiches, and a thermos bottle of lemonade or tea.

Are you single? When I was an elementary teacher, I started having dinner with other single teachers after work on Friday. It soon became a weekly tradition that we all looked forward to.