As a first year teacher, I have undoubtedly experienced many ups and downs.

I have grown to learn, understand, and appreciate the role of a great educator. My rollercoaster journey has consisted of challenges, frustrations, rewards and most importantly, growth as a teacher. My biggest challenge during this first year was, and sometimes still is, classroom management. I started my first few days in euphoria, thinking my semester was going to be a breeze; my students were quiet, respectful, and perfect angels! The third day was when reality set in. My fourth block class was a class of almost 30 who were very diverse. This class also included at least 8 students with IEPs. I planned what I thought would be a very engaging, fun group activity. Three minutes after I had split the students, mass chaos filled the room; students disliked each other, were arguing, and took the time to have social hour. I had to stop the whole activity and come up with a new one. I had learned quickly that my classroom management for this class was going to need to strengthenand quickly! After venting and crying to co-workers, my advisor, and family at home, I gained a set of classroom management strategies that made the rest of the semester not so agonizing. Did we struggle? Yes. Did we have bad days? Yes. However, learning became easier and our classroom environment was much better at the end. From this experience, I learned what to change in the first few weeks of my next semester. Now, I have a very similar class; however, I did not experience that disastrous few weeks because I started off strong with my expectations, procedures, and consequences. I still seek advice for different strategies from co-workers and professional books and websites. I believe frustration is a daily occurrence in the field of educating. My view is that if get frustrated, it means you care. For example, my biggest frustration in teaching this year

was with myself. I found myself often questioning what I was doing. Are my students learning from me? Am I a good teacher? Was that lesson engaging enough for them? Because I am my worst critic, I over analyzed and became frustrated when I could not come up with an answer immediately. What I am growing to learn is that the answers to these questions are in my rapport with students, their behavior in my class, willingness to learn and work, and the final products they turn in. Sometimes I learned that I was doing a good job and other times I learned I needed to step it up. Although these occurrences were frustrating, I took that frustration and learned from it. Teaching for me has brought way more rewards than frustrations. I could talk forever about how my students have brightened my heart. When I see a student growing, eyes-lit, with the ah-ha! or thats how it works! expression on his or her face, there is no better feeling in the world. I have had students express to me that I am the first teacher who has actually cared, and that compassionate component to my teaching is something I strive to never lose, even in moments of frustration. My rapport I have with my students allows them to respect me and to give me those rewards they are unaware they are giving. An educator never stops growing. I have only hit the bottom base of growth, and I am so excited to learn more each year as I teach. This year, I have learned an infinite amount of knowledge on content, strategies for the classroom, special needs, technology, rapport, classroom management, discipline, legalities, organization, and much more. I know that through my growth as a teacher, my students grow, and that is most important to me. As I conclude my reflection from my very first year of teaching, I want to offer advice I wish I would have received to the new teachers next year.

1. Dont take the comments or behavior of your students personally; analyze why they are acting that way and change how you respond. 2. If you are struggling with something, ask for help! There are so many resources in your school and our district. You dont have to feel alone. 3. THE FIRST DAY/WEEK/MONTH IS SO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! I was told this, but didnt take it to heart. I am known to be friendly; however, letting things go in my class proved for too much frustration during the semester. Remember that you are not doing the students a favor by lowering your standards or expectations! 4. Do not feel like you are the mean teacher for keeping consistent with rules, discipline, homework, etc. 5. Always give a reason behind what you are doing or why you are teaching something. I started doing this my second semester and experienced less behavioral issues. As you are stating your reasons, you will see students are engaged in what you are saying, and some will even nod their head in agreement! 6. Always assign groups! 7. Show compassion towards students, but do not lower your standards! Best of wishes, Kristina Mojica