200+ teachers joined Bibb County schools. Here’s how to thrive, from Macon’s retired teachers

Monday was the first day of school for Bibb County, and students weren’t the only newbies in attendance.

In late July, the Bibb County School District welcomed nearly 300 new teachers for the 2024-2024 academic year. Some first-year teachers describe learning the ropes as both intimidating and exciting.

Fortunately, retired educators in Macon-Bibb have shared their best classroom management advice for making your first year in the demanding profession easier.

Chester Fontenot Jr., a retired Baptist professor of English and director of Africana studies at Mercer University, said one of the most important components of teaching is believing in one’s ability to educate.

“The hardest thing, I think, is to get over your own sense of inadequacy to do the job,” he said after mentioning instructors’ concerns about doing things correctly. “You have to get over that and trust in the training.”

Linda Thomas, a retired BCSD teacher of 30 years, said that the first day of school is critical because it sets the tone for the rest of the year in the classroom.

Here are some tips on how to do this:

Develop a rapport with students: It is important to enforce boundaries with the students while also developing close relationships with them because it can enhance overall student achievement, Fontenot said. The students should view their instructor as both an authoritative figure and someone who cares about them academically and generally, he added.

Elizabeth Keaney, a retired BCSD teacher of 26 years, said those relationships can also enhance classroom dynamics and students’ openness about mental issues.

“A lot of teachers won’t tell the kids about themselves, but kids want to know about you,” Keaney said. “It’s important to let them know that you’re something besides just the teacher. Let them know you have families and interests - things like that.”

Focus on the positive: Try not to comment on negative behaviors in the classroom, Keaney said. If you compliment students who are performing well, the rest will follow suit, she added.

Thomas recommends that other teachers also encourage younger teachers and show them the positive aspects of the profession.

Maintain classroom structure: Keaney said classroom structure can take various forms, such as having a seating chart, displaying daily agendas on the board and repetitively reinforcing classroom expectations.

Have a sense of humor: You’re going to need it, Keaney said.

Be prepared and organized: Stress can come from a lack of preparation, Fontenot said. Having a plan to get things done and knowing the material can increase a teacher’s ability to deliver material in a way that’s easily digestible for the students, he added.

Improve time management skills: This comes in handy for lesson planning and grading papers, Fontenot said.

Take it one day at a time: When things get overwhelming, Thomas advises not to focus on the big picture and concentrate on the day’s agenda. “When you look at the picture, you’re likely to look at things negatively,” she said.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Seek advice from experienced teachers, Fontenot said. It is important to establish relationships with other educators, and it also wouldn’t hurt to consider mentorship programs.

Divide tasks into smaller components: Do not try to achieve all goals at once, Fontenot said.

Keep school supplies in hand: Because some students in Bibb County cannot afford school supplies, Keaney recommends that teachers keep extra pencils and paper available.

Make time for yourself: Fontenot advises teachers to recharge their batteries and decompress with their favorite past time when they feel overwhelmed.

Keep students busy and engaged: Have plenty of assignments to avoid “dead time.”

Subtle, subliminal test preparation: Thomas said having eye-catching posters on classroom walls can help the students easily memorize test content — even when they’re covered.

Read instructional books: Keaney highly recommends that incoming educators read “The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher” by Harry Wong and Rosemary T. Wong.

Show love: Thomas said being there for the students is the most important part of the teaching process.

Keaney said you have to be happy to see them. She suggests welcoming them at the door every morning, which also may allow them to open up.

Have any more tips for us? Email them at mlewis@macon.com

This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 11:51 AM.