Dear New Teacher

Today after my Pre-AP students finished taking the 8th grade TAKS, I gave them the following optional assignment:

Teach For America is going to be training a new group of over 300 new teachers this summer! I am going to be a mentor to some of them over the summer so they can get used to Houston and get used to the life of a new teacher. I thought they would enjoy hearing from you guys!

Then I gave them the option of writing a letter to a new teacher or writing a list of things a new teacher should know (about teaching and/or living in Houston).

JS's letter

Dear New Teacher,

Today is your day. You have the courage to be a teacher. Get ready, because they are coming - you got to be ready. Mr./Mrs., you should make your classroom entertaining so kids won't be bored in your class. Don't get nervous, relax and don't stress out. Just be yourself. One of our teachers is fun and everybody likes him. You should interact with the students so they can give you pointers. Thank you for becoming a teacher.

Sincerely,

A friend

CO's list

1. I recommend the new teacher to not be bossy with students - Be nice to the students
2. Teach us things in fun ways so we can learn easily
3. Don't explain things with a big speech because it's boring.
4. Make us laugh because if not we'll sleep in class
5. We students in Pilgrim Academy ask a lot of questions and we don't like when teachers don't respond to them.
6. The new teacher should introduce herself with great detail. If not, we'll be bothering her all the time.
7. Don't get mad easily because we don't like that.
8. Don't give detention just because of a simple thing.

FS's letter

Dear New Teacher,

My name is F. Let's start with the most important thing to say: Hi! :) I have been a student for like my whole life and I have never met teachers like the ones I have now. They are Teach For America teachers and they are awesome. I learned soooo many new things from them. They always share stories about what happened to them over the weekend or tell us stories that they can relate to ours. I think students like when they relate to them and they are funny. I have been changed because of them. Back then, I didn't want to come to school, but now I want to come to school every day. I hope you have a fun time teaching students. I know it's hard and everything, but you just have to try and find a way into their hearts. Who knows - maybe you'll become one of their favorite teachers. I hope that helps. Well, good luck being a new teacher!!

P.S. Bye!

JL2's letter

Dear New Teacher,

Hello, my name is J. I'm happy that you decided to be a teacher. Trust me, its a lot of fun. You meet new students. Meet other teachers. Oh and that reminds me, I have a teacher that just came to our school. At first he had a little problem connecting with the students. But don't freak out. It happens. After a few days you'll be comfortable and really connecting with the students. You'll have a blast year after year with students.

And I want to thank you for becoming a teacher because you're helping us out a lot by teaching us instead of doing something else. I hope to get to see you one day. Bye. Take care.

Your Friend,

JL2