Important and Urgent

In an old and somewhat popular exercise (I think it may be called Johari's Window) the key component is being able to decide what is Important and what is Urgent. Too often we fall prey to the "person-that-screams-loudest" philosophy of what gets our attention. Classrooms in general address the squeaky wheel whenever that squeak is too irritating. However, most experienced teachers know how to sidestep the distraction and move on with their lessons.

New teachers, while taught the standards, the subject matter, all of the nuances of No Child Left Behind, "interactive" student teaching, and some nifty techniques based on older Behavior Modification practices, come into the teaching arena full of enthusiasm and ready to make that difference in the world.

Oddly, their first days are akin to George Armstrong Custer and his introduction to the Sioux Nation at Little Big Horn! It's like being caught in a Fellini film where life travels in slow motion, the 30+ children in the room are pretending to be a circus, and everyone is in their own agenda...and to make matters worse, there is more than the occasional administrator that tends to bully because the new teacher doesn't have the protection of the teacher's association.

Ergo the Important and Urgent conversation. It is darn near impossible to approximate the classroom for a new victim er, teacher. Regardless of what practice you've had or what classes you visted/taught, teachers evolve with time, and quickly discerning what is Urgent from what is Important adds greatly to their positive development. BTSA for example, has been designed to help new teachers but for the process to really work, we need a strong mentoring program where successful teachers are assisted by those who have a great track record in classroom management and connection skills.

When new teachers have the opportunity to meet with the teaschers at their new school, they can (and should) take advantage of the bag of tricks provided by the veterans. It is all about connection! Teachers and administrators have a full plate but empowerment of the rookie teacher is the greatest gift of all. Take the time to give them tips and provide them with the "magic" that makes you the person you have become and are. Teaching is an ART and the more people that enter the profession knowing how to engage our students, the stronger the profession remains.