We asked teachers involved in the TIDES Learning Community what advice they had - or wish they had been given - when they were first starting out in the teaching field. Read on to find out what they had to say!

One thing that I would suggest is to go to conferences that address your subject matter. It will all seem to be over your head at first, but submerge yourself. Also, dont be afraid to ask for help.  One of the most important things to classroom management is consistency. Back up what you say you are going to do. Also, you are the teacher, not their friend. We joke in middle school, don't smile until the 2nd semester of school, which really means, that you can start off with too much control and loosen rather than being party central and then trying to reign them in. Remember you are the expert in your classroom, go with confidence!

- Laurie Gallant

My main suggestion would be to get as many classroom experiences (good or bad) at as many different grade levels and with as many different subject areas as possible BEFORE you student teach. I think it is also helpful to do a split student teaching experience. I know for me, I thought I wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher. I did 180 hours of observation before I student taught, but all of it was in K. Then, I student taught for 12 weeks in 3rd grade. I wish I had done more. I ended up starting my teaching career in 1st grade and hated it. I finally found my niche in middle school. Who knew?

I don't think there is an easy way to prepare for being a teacher. I wish there was. It is one of those fields where you just sorta need to jump in with both feet and try to stay afloat.

- Keli Jacewitz

You have to believe in yourself. Teaching can be very difficult, but also so very rewarding and fun. The administration wants the scores on TAKS and teachers are expected to produce these scores. Teaching is definitely not an 8:00 - 3:30 job. I spent 4 hours grading this Sunday and will also work one day this week in my classroom. My main suggestion would be to substitute at different schools and in different grade levels during your days off from taking classes.( Schools are desperate to find substitutes.) This will give you an opportunity to experience the different grade levels and it will give you teaching experience. Also, you will be able to check out the teaching atmospheres at various schools. In addition, it may give you a foot in the door. It is very important to be organized and have everything prepared for the week. Always over plan and be consistent with discipline. Be yourself and ask lots of questions.

- Adelheid Murphrey

Kids need to hit the door working and walk out the door working. Plan more activities than they can complete. Problems happen when they have nothing to do. The other key is consistency. It is so hard when a class is challenging to keep strict discipline in place, but it is so critical. Start very tough, you can't start soft and then get tough. I also believe that kids need to understand that everyone in the classroom has a job to do. I tell my students that they must respect the job I am doing, and must respect the right of all students to learn, including themselves. Discipline becomes very common sense to the kids when you tell them that no student has the right to interefere with my right to teach or another student's right to learn. Any behavior that stops that process requires discipline. My students will admit that they are in the wrong 90% of the time.

I love teenagers. Love the group of kids you work with. Let them know you think they are improtant. Listen to them, helping them when you can academically or socially but always be professional. If kids know you care, they'll work for you. It's easier for us to work for a fair, consistent boss that has our best interests at heart. Kids are the same.

Finally, love what you teach. Be enthusiastic and energetic. It's contagious. It may require large doses of caffeine some days, but they'll look forward to your class every day. I could go on and on. Teaching is not easy, and you will be in survival mode your first year. Every year gets better and easier. There simply isn't a more rewarding or important career.

- Kimberly Fryman

I've been one of those mean yelling teachers for nine years. Rules, consequences, discipline, ya'll know what I mean. It's what most of us use to control our classes. This summer though I went to Capturing Kids Hearts and my classes have totally changed. It's a great program. A link for more info is http://www.flippengroup.com/education/ckh.html. I wish I would have had this knowledge nine years ago when I was starting out. I am much happier and organized now. I don't have to yell anymore. The kids are happier. They don't get picked on or yelled at hardly at all in my class. It also teaches my students much needed social skills. My classes still aren't perfect, and some days are still better than others, but wow what a difference! I would first recommend this workshop to any beginning teacher to help them have control without being the evil dictator!! My other piece of advice would be to strive for structure and consistency. Many struggling kids do much better if they know exactly what is expected of them and exactly what is coming next. It doesn't mean that your classes have to be boring and redundant, but just let your kids know your daily plans in advance. That eliminates unwanted surprises and confusion.

- Jana McLain

The best advice I can give a first year teacher is to JUST SAY NO!! New blood means new bodies for the endless committees you find in a public school. No matter what- the first year teacher needs to say NO. You need the time to adjust yourself to your new career. There is plenty of time to become involved.

- Amy Simmons

35 years of teaching have been quite an experience, adults, teenagers, elementary and babies, each level has been completely different, but what I´ve learned through the years is that it doesn´t matter what age you´re teaching, it's mainly the attitude we have towards them, and it depends on the the group you´re teaching, believe me, through the years we all become phsycologysts. When I worked with teenagers, I realized that they are always competing between them, they all want to be the best and also want to be part of the team. When I realized that, I started using these attitudes to make them work.

- Patty Wood

I, myself, am a second-year teacher at Center High School. I enjoyed my first year while at the same time dreaded each day. There were days when I felt as though I was thrown into a den of lions, who by the way, took on the resemblance of 15 year old children. I say all this to let these first-year teachers know that it will be ok. You only have a first year one time and that's it. Learn from your mistakes. Don't be too friendly while at the same don't be stark cold. Learn your balances. Use your first year to learn, and learn ONLY. Remain yourself. Students can tell a teacher who is fake, who really doesn't want to be there, who is really there for the kids, who enjoys teaching. I know this because I hear it everyday. They are not DUMB. Learn to accept the students that enter the classroom. They are the ones that you must impress, not the administration or the parents. (Don't get me wrong, these people are important, but you are there for the students.)

- Udoro Gatewood

I have had the mixed blessing of having education students come in and "observe" my classes for an education class they must take. Sometimes, I am thrilled by the student that is actually dressed professionally to observe the classroom - they may not be teaching YET, but they represent our profession and the students need to see that teaching is a serious profession. Most often though, I get students who either don't show up on time for the class to be observed, or don't show up at all. I call this experience a mixed blessing because all too often the students I have observe my class do not show much potential as a teacher - they simply don't have that special "passion" for working with kids. On the other hand, I do get an opportunity to share some of my ideas with them and hopefully help them come away with a better appreciation of the time and energy it takes to really connect with the students.

OBSERVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN and at all grade levels. Lessons on the elementary level can be adjusted to meet the needs of a high school level lesson and vice versa. ALWAYS DRESS PROFESSIONALLY when you go to observe a classroom and, of course, when you student teach...unless of course you plan on playing in the mud that day!!! LEARN ALL YOU CAN about the many ways and means that veteran teachers get and keep control of their classrooms. Harry Wong has a good book for beginning teachers and setting up the classroom. Whatever methods you use remember to: 1. keep it simple 2. document everything 3. be consistent.

- Angelia Greiner

Being a teacher is the greatest gift for me. I enjoy every instant I'm with my students. The only thing you need to be a good teacher is to give the best of you. The recipe is FIRST LOVE then enthusiasm, and good attitude. Students need to feel "Calidad humana" Human quality, human care well I don't know which word will be the best translation. That you really accept them. Respect them that you are worried about any problem they face. It could be with a subject, family problems, peer pressure, etc. A teacher is like an actress that is going to have a different performance everyday. People love to laugh, to enjoy, to play and you need to teach them using these three ingredients as well as to use your creativity 100% and make them use it. It's important to start giving classes with a big smile and good attitude. Kids, babies and teenagers are so sensitive to find out in which mood you are. The techniques for teaching, the methods, the rules in class, the lesson plans, keep control of their classroom are very important but the most important is to GIVE THE BEST OF YOU. The success will come easily to you and you will be proud of your goals and their progress.

- Maru Avila

I had my 5th (and most incredible) student teacher this year, and this was the Bray's top ten list I gave him on his last day:

1. Don't give in to the whiners, gripers, naysayers...in education - they're in every district, and all they do is breed bad feelings.
2. Smile every day. Others notice it, your students will too.
3. If you want to be treated as a professional, dress like one - no flip flops, unironed clothes, sloppy stuff.
4. Be prepared. Plan as far ahead as you can and make changes along the way. You have to have a map when you take a trip, and teaching is certainly a trip.
5. Do unto others...you want students to respect you, you must give respect in order to earn it.
6. Be flexible. Recognize when something isn't working and fix it.
7. Beg, steal and borrow. Find every website you can find with lesson plans and supplements. Better to have to many options than not enough. You can personalize and adapt whatever you find.
8. See your principal once a week. Let him/her know what exciting things you're doing. Give them a heads up if you know something is coming up.
9. Have fun - you get 2 months off in the summer!!!
10. 5 or 18 - these are all someone's children. They're JUST children. Love them, embrace them (not literally, or you may have a lawsuit).

I love teaching, there's not another job in the world I'd rather have. I tell my student teachers and interns that it will be a lot of work, but if you love it, you'll be successful. As far as classroom management, we all know what works for some will not work for others - it's all a learning experience and by the time you retire you'll have it figured out.

- Claire Bray