Phases in the First Year of Teaching

November 10, 2008 at 10:14 am (Education)
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The first year of teaching really translates into the first year of managing: schedules, lessons, pupils, time, information, and the list goes on. This is why, as of late, I often could be heard saying things like, “There aren’t enough hours in a day or days in a week.” If you’re wondering why I’ve been quiet in the blogosphere, now you know.
Yes, you walk out of school, degree in hand, thinking you can conquer the world (or at least teaching). Within a week of teaching, you question whether you made the right career choice. Within a month, you question whether you can continue the pace and still be alive in June. Then when the first report cards hit, you wonder where your time went and what on earth you did during the first couple of months.
If you want to have a quick, down-and-dirty lesson on self-reflection, just teach kids. For a month. I thought I had learned so much about myself during my four years of studies in that small, tight-knit group of ours. However, nothing prepared me for this.
I came across a graph which explains the phases in the first year of teaching.
Phases of First Year Teaching

Phases of First Year Teaching

For the first couple of months, though, the line should look more like an ECG graph going down a steep hill in a barrel. Judging by this representation, I should be at the bottom right about now. Well, I’d say it’s pretty accurate.

The sad part is, this phase looks like it won’t let up until the spring.

It’s going to be a very long winter.

Lucky for me, our teachers’ association offers a mentorship program to help beginning teachers. Within the program, I hooked up with a veteran teacher who also happened to be a host teacher for one of my practicums (or, practica, in case Dave’s dad is reading). Another thing is that the school administrator is exceptional. He is very understanding and supportive. He has a very positive way of communicating. It’s hard to explain it in a few short words. Considering that anywhere from 20-30% of new teachers leave the profession within two or three years, I’d say that I’m fortunate to have this support around me.

It’s still going to be a long winter, but I’m still determined to “experience” this first year of teaching.

6 Comments

  1. Baino said,

    November 11, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    Good for you. I trained as a teacher years ago but couldn’t ‘hack’ being only 21 and teaching 17 year olds. I regret not sticking with it now. That graph by the way is almost identical to one we use with clients to explain investor behaviour when there’s a market crash! Watch this, it might inspire you:
    http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU&eurl=http://katesaid.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/what-do-you-make/

  2. Carole said,

    November 12, 2008 at 1:05 am

    Hey Baino, thanks for the link. Excellent video. Oh, and as for the graph, maybe some people can relate then? lol

  3. Don't Bug Me! said,

    November 19, 2008 at 3:33 am

    Whatever you do, don’t talk to Mr. DBM about teaching. He has been doing it for 18 years and his graph bottomed out long ago and I doubt it is ever going to rise again. I am in the “Well, it is not a bad job and the pay is good” category right now – but then I teach at a university and my schedule and students are not nearly as challenging as Mr. DBMs.

  4. » I want to be all growed up. Yukon Chatter Bug said,

    February 22, 2009 at 9:56 am

    [...] answer to all those questions depend on what kind of week I’m having. As you have seen on a previous post, the first year of teaching is like  roller-coaster ride. There are moments of exhilaration, but [...]

  5. Lynne said,

    February 28, 2009 at 8:11 am

    I hate to say it but I think that graph represent anyone starting out in their new careers….I’m where you’re at too but don’t give up….we’ve worked to hard and gone to far to just hand it over to self-doubt, exhaustion etc…

  6. Lynne said,

    February 28, 2009 at 8:12 am

    and one more thing…I’m glad you have some strong supporters and mentors around you….they have been my life line.

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