On 5/22/09, daisyC wrote:
> how long would you say it takes to fit in at a new school
> and make some strong friendships?? It is hard to be the new
> teacher...

and it is a great shame and quite counterproductive that
schools are not places that leap to embrace new teachers. But
schools are also places sometimes so bereft of any good feeling
that if you come in smiling, it can go a long way with the
sadly unsmiling and sometimes embittered older teachers.

Cultivate the art of the innocuous remark - "Morning" said
demurely as you walk down the hall but walk briskly as teachers
will fear you'll stop and talk. Be demure in general - older
teachers are easily threatened.

Why is that? Schools are strange places. There is little if any
advancement in schools - it's frustrating. Many teachers these
days plain don't like teaching and youthful enthusiasm drives
them wild. Each school has a pecking order and all schools are
rife with adversarial conflict between administration and
teachers parents and teachers.

Be a good listener - say little, smile warmly, walk briskly and
avoid participating in the gossip mongering and the endless
venting.
Good luck!

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one