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New Teachers: Help is On the Way!

As you begin your journey as a classroom teacher, your Association will be with you every step of the way. Read on for free and low-cost resources and opportunities to help you make the most of your first years in the profession.

VEA New Teacher Guide. VEA’s tip-filled guide, free to new Association members, includes:

• Advice from other teachers on their first year in the classroom
• Tips on getting the school year off to a great start
• Suggestions to help you become a more effective classroom manager
• Helpful ideas on managing grades, homework, and parent communications

Free print copies of the Guide are available from your local Association representative, president, or UniServ office. To whet your appetite, here are excerpts from the Guide. Click on either "Get Organized" or "We've Been There."

First-Year Blog. Fairfax Education Association member Laura Mathurin blogged her way through her first year of teaching. Read her insights on the highs and lows, what worked and what didn't.

‘I Can Do It’ Training. Most new teachers name classroom management/discipline as their greatest challenge. VEA offers training in the ‘I Can Do It’ model for effective management of student behavior. Contact your local Association president to see if there is sufficient demand in your locality to hold the training. Or check out the online version of ‘I Can Do It’ here.

NEA Professional Library Resources. The NEA’s books division offers several excellent books designed for new teachers. Among the best are Countdown to the First Day of School and Discipline Checklist. Learn more about these and other popular titles here.

NEA Classroom Management Archives. Take advantage of the great articles and tip-filled web posts contributed by veteran teachers who’ve been through a variety of challenging situations. Make sure to check out:
www.nea.org/classmanagement/archive.html .

Works4Me. Works4Me is a virtual teachers’ lounge where you can post a question and get help from educators across the nation. You can also browse the archives for great tips.