From The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide, Second Edition

Professionalism means being the very best teacher that you can be every day. When you choose to conduct yourself in a professional manner, you send the message that you are in control of your classroom and yourself. You'll earn the respect of your students and colleagues in the process. Although it is not always easy to be a professional educator, especially when you are just starting out, professionalism is one of the best tools that you have to prevent stress. These are just some of the professional behaviors that can serve as guidelines to stress prevention:

Treat your students with respect. Don’t be a pushover or play favorites.

Accept criticism from your supervisors in a calm and professional manner. Do not be defensive. Instead, work to correct the problem.

Take your workday appearance seriously. Dress comfortably but neatly. Your appearance sends a message to your students that you take your position seriously.

Greet everyone you meet with a friendly word and a smile. Project an air of confidence and soon you will feel confident.

Become an organized and efficient worker so you can accomplish all of your paperwork chores.

Take charge of your classroom with sound discipline policies.

Be known as a punctual person who does not miss school without a good reason.

Plan lessons that are meaningful, interesting, and based on your district’s or state’s curriculum guidelines.

Never shout at your students. If you are tempted to do this, stop and reassess the situation.

Admit it when you make a mistake. Ask for help.

Be careful about what you say and how you say it. Use Standard English. Never allow students to curse in front of you.

Make sure the goals you set for your students are attainable and that you teach the skills needed to reach them.

Have high expectations for your students.

Take pride in your profession. Share this attitude with your students.

Follow all school rules.

Let students know you care about their welfare. Don’t give up on them when things are difficult."

Study Guides for Individual Work, Small Discussion Groups, and Large Discussion Groups

If you would like a study guide for your personal use or for preservice and professional development training, you can also e-mail Julia Thompson at thompson_juliag@​yahoo.com.


Generating Solutions to Universal Classroom Problems in Singapore

Resources for Teachers

For Professional Development Leaders
The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide Professional Development Training Kit
This training package offers two DVD presentations, a facilitator's manual, dozens of study guide questions, and one-hundred downloadable handouts. Julia G. Thompson ISBN: 978-1-1180-9569-0 Video January 2012
For First-Year Teachers
The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide, Second Edition
This second edition of the bestselling First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit is packed with more than 500 pages of updated, inspiring, and practical advice for new teachers. Publisher: John Wiley Sons.ISBN: 978-0-7879-9455-6Paperback, 528 pages.
For Secondary Teachers
Discipline Survival Guide for the Secondary Teacher, Second Edition
This practical, hands-on resource is packed with ideas, techniques, tools, and activities to help teachers maintain a postive classroom environment. It includes over 50 ready-to-use-or-adapt forms, checklists and letters. Publisher: John Wiley Sons. ISBN: 978-0-87628-434-6Paperback, 384 pages.
For New Teachers in a Hurry
The First-Year Teacher's Checklist
This easy-to-use reference—with hundreds of helpful, classroom-tested answers, ideas, techniques, and teaching tools—will help you on your way to a successful and productive school year. Publisher: John Wiley Sons. Julia G. Thompson ISBN: 978-0-470-39004-7Paperback 224 pages April 2009 US $19.95