We’re in the last few weeks of summer, and preparations for the new school year are ramping up. And it’s not just students going back-to-school shopping. Teachers too are planning out their lesson plans and schedules. Whether you’re going back to the same school or applying to a new one, here are some tips that teachers can use to help prepare themselves for the new school year:
- Don’t just be a teacher. Be a learner as well. Go over the last school year to see what worked and what didn’t. Did a certain lesson plan go over really well with the students? Bring that over to this year. Did students struggle with a certain chapter of the textbook? Maybe revise that for this year so the information is conveyed better.
- Being a learner also includes being a student yourself. Consider exploring professional development options, such as webinars, online courses, and more. Your school may even offer development opportunities themselves. Developing yourself professionally will allow you to improve your skills and talents even further, making you a more valuable teacher and job candidate.
- Know how you’re going to communicate with parents, students, and colleagues. Being prepared with all the proper technology and apps is crucial to effective communication. Does your school use Google Classroom, Zoom, or something else entirely? Find that out now and make the necessary preparations to get these set up so they’re ready on the first day of school.
- Set defined goals for yourself for the upcoming school year. Planning out how you want to change or improve gives you something to work towards. Make sure the goals you set are specific and achievable. Vague or abstract goals will only confuse you and not give you a clear path to achieve them.
- If you’re applying to a new school, make sure your resume is updated with all the new relevant skills that will make you stand out and be competitive. Did you teach a remote class during the pandemic? Put that on there. Being digitally savvy as a teacher has become more important than ever with the increased demand for remote/virtual learning. If you recorded some of these lessons, include them in your portfolio to show schools the lessons you taught.
- Be willing to work as a guest teacher or substitute. If you’re just starting out, taking smaller positions such as these will give you valuable classroom experience, and allow you to network.
- Use job boards to find job openings you may not have found on your own. They can greatly expand your job search and allow you to apply to even more schools.
The start of a new school year is always an exciting time. Not just for the students, however, but for teachers too. Teachers get to resume teaching, meet new classes, and have the opportunity to revise and improve their skills further. Follow these tips to get started on the right foot and have a successful year!
Education Jobs NJ.com is a jobs platform that assists New Jersey schools in finding quality talent to fill their open positions as well as help educational professionals looking for a new job. You can register for a free employer account to start finding that perfect candidate today or register for job alerts to be notified of any new open positions.
