Dear New Teachers,

Welcome to the wonderful world of teaching precious Jewish children! We hope the following suggestions will be valuable to you as a teacher and as lessons for life.

1.  Routine is key. Create routines and structure. Getting into a routine, both your own and your students’, takes time.
2.  Parents are on your side. Generally, parents realize they are your partners and have the same goals for their children as you do. Work together; the more communication, the better.
3.  Find the approach to behavior management that suits you. Just as every teacher is unique, his approach to management must be unique to him.
4.  Be flexible, keep calm, go with the flow! You will never think of everything; you’ll be forced to improvise to get through the day. We can’t control everything, but we can control how we react. Remind yourself: All you can do is your best.
5.  Have expectations and make your students aware of them. But don’t overestimate them. Remember what it’s like to be a student with less knowledge, weaker skills, different social needs. Make sure your vocabulary, examples and instructional goals aren’t too advanced for them.
6.  Don’t underestimate them. They are capable of far more than they think, and your job is to push them to be the best they can be.
7.  Mean what you say. Be genuine. Whatever you say is heard and remembered. If you want to be trusted by your students, keep to your word, stay consistent and follow through.
8. Listen to what your students have to say. Not always will you agree with them, and sometimes you may realize that they don’t know what’s best for them. But it’s imperative that you listen to your students and how they receive what you give them.
9. Have fun with your students. Have a sense of humor. Don’t be afraid to show your personality to your students. Build relationships. Teaching and learning are much more gratifying when we enjoy our students’ company and they enjoy ours!
10.  Remember why you decided to teach. It will carry you through all the hardships and difficulties that you encounter and will motivate you to be the best you can be. Learn from your errors and from everyone around you.

Choosing to be a classroom teacher means choosing to create bonds, facilitate growth, work on your patience and flexibility, learn from your mistakes and touch the souls of all those who walk through your door.

By Malka Arons, Jacob Braun, Rachel Goldman, Emma Mael, Natanel Rosenzweig, Ariel Schreier, Elliot Schwartz, Danielle Slater, Binyamin Weinrich and Blima Zelinger