Life in the Classroom: A Teacher Gives Advice On Preparing to Teach

While working in classrooms in the United States and overseas, Spencer Hays discovered his true passion: teaching. Hays has taught several subjects to a range of age groups at different schools. At one point, Hays quit teaching to pursue another opportunity in school administration, be that classroom kept calling him back.

“After I was was promoted and no longer teaching, I found that I missed it a lot!” said Hays.

Hays made the decision to teach, twice. We wanted to know what Hays learned from his first experience teaching that helped him in preparing to teach the second time around.

What to know when preparing to teach

Hays gave us a few tips to help those thinking about becoming teachers start prepared.

• Research what teaching is like in your area. Learn about the school district that you’re interested in teaching in and ask what they are looking for in their teachers.
• Meet with other teachers. Ask current teachers what it’s like to be in the classroom each day.

“It is truly a very big change! … there is so much that goes into being a teacher!”

• Be prepared to make a lot of decisions. Teachers must be able to think on their feet, while being organized and prepared.
• Have a routine for your classroom in place. Even the smallest change can throw students off. The routine helps the teacher and students flow throughout the day without any hiccups and more success.
• If you set a rule in your classroom, you must enforce the rule.

“As soon as the students realize that you mean what you say, then you will be able to start effectively teaching and managing your classroom!”

Forming relationships

Building relationships with students, parents, and co-workers are such an important part of teaching. It’s your job to make sure that students have the skills, opportunities, and environment for improved learning. To do that well, teachers must have a relationship with each of their students and their parents.

“The job is tough, but a lot of fun! Some of your students will never fail to put a smile on your face.”

Your co-workers will more than likely become some of your life-long relationships because no one understands your job better than them. They go through the same process as you and probably have some of the same challenges that not many other people could relate to.