New Teacher advise

I just have to link up to Fabulously First's party because I love helping new teachers. 

 I would love to be the new teacher liaison and show them around the school and give them copies of all my files, and all my blog connections to help them get started.  I have a soft spot for new teachers because when I first started 15 years ago, I had a very difficult time and thought I had made a mistake.  I was hired 3 weeks after school started due to over crowded classes.  So you know what that means...the teachers got to pick which kids I got.  I was 3 halls away from any other 2nd grade classes and no one seemed to want to help me or share with me.  I was given 2 days to set up a room and BOOM!  you're a teacher now teach! I was given a mentor, but she was a 9 year Kindergarten teacher and couldn't really help me with 2nd grade.  She was a "social butterfly" of the school too and didn't have much time for me.  Anyway, I made it through, but really didn't get help until my third year, I was moved to Kindergarten and had a great mentor that was across from me and actually took time to help me.  She observed me, videoed me and reviewed it with me.  She observed me and we talked after.  Finally!  I was becoming the teacher I had hoped I would be.  I would have to credit my improvement over the last 15 years to the great co-workers I have been able to work with along the way who were willing to help, share and even sometimes give correction when needed.  So I would say my best advise to a new teacher would be ...

1. Be a team player.
2. Do a lot of listening, but don't just sit back and let yourself be overwhelmed.  Ask questions when you don't understand something.  Teachers can talk fast and use a lot of teacher jargon.  Ask, ask, and ask again.
3. Get to know your team and be willing to learn from them.
4. Find the teachers that everyone goes to for advise and hang out in their room as much as possible.

Above all have a love for your kids and know that each year will get better and better.

P.S. I really like Simply Primary's advise too so I thought I would add a link to hop you right over to it.