| Teaching is a profession unlike any other. It is a way | | | | to grade will always be piled high and forms will |
| of life, a passion and a calling. Teachers do not just | | | | always need to be completed. If allowed, teaching |
| teach in a classroom, they are teachers everywhere. | | | | can take over an educator's life. It is critical to a |
| Every child is a student and every opportunity is a | | | | long-term successful teaching career, that balance |
| teachable moment. Unlock the Five Secrets to a | | | | between work and life is found. Set designated time |
| Successful Teaching Career below and prepare for a | | | | to complete the paperwork that needs to be finished |
| rewarding experience. | | | | and when that time is over stop working! Reading a |
| Be Resourceful | | | | frivolous book, listening to music or going for a walk |
| Teaching requires a great deal of thinking outside the | | | | will help keep life balanced. If a teacher is unable to |
| box. Being resourceful means that a teacher is | | | | find balance, her career will be short-lived. |
| constantly searching to find new ways of teaching | | | | Continue Learning |
| students and supplying her classroom with the | | | | Most states require a teacher to continue her |
| materials she needs. A resourceful teacher is not | | | | education beyond a bachelor's degree. While it may |
| afraid to try innovative lessons to reach her students | | | | be an essential part of maintaining a teaching license, |
| and make learning fun. By being resourceful a teacher | | | | it is also a great way to stay fresh and current with |
| keeps her classroom well stocked and her students | | | | new teaching methods and ideas. Teaching is not a |
| engaged which are two key components to a long, | | | | stagnant profession. Even though many approaches |
| happy career. | | | | and practices are traditionally based, there are always |
| Be Adaptable | | | | new things to learn. The cost of continuing education |
| Sometimes the hardest, but most effective thing a | | | | is always a factor, so be resourceful and seek out |
| teacher can do is to be adaptable. It requires a great | | | | community colleges and other places that provide |
| deal of self-confidence to change direction of a | | | | continuing education credits for teachers. |
| lesson or project mid-stream. When a teacher takes | | | | Have Fun |
| her own plans out of the equation and really looks at | | | | One of the best parts about working with children is |
| what is best for her students, she is adapting to the | | | | that it is fun. Laughter and smiles are a daily part of |
| most important component of her job - the children. | | | | any teacher's routine. Students love seeing their |
| Adapting lessons for whatever reason, whether it is | | | | teacher in a funny wig or with a bright scarf wrapped |
| for a student with a disability, a slow learner or an | | | | around her neck. Enjoy teaching! Do not be afraid to |
| ESL student, takes more work than not adapting | | | | be colorful both in dress and personality. The more |
| them. However, success in teaching is not measured | | | | fun had, the longer and more successful a teaching |
| by a paycheck, but by the amount of learning that | | | | career will be. |
| takes place. Being adaptable will make any teacher a | | | | Teaching is a calling. Enjoy the fact that it is one that |
| better educator with students who will be the richer | | | | is available and attainable. Embrace the challenges and |
| for her efforts. | | | | the rewards with equal fervor knowing that a child's |
| Find Balance | | | | life will be forever changed. Use the Five Secrets to |
| It is easy to slip into 24-hour/7-day-a-week teacher | | | | a Successful Teaching Career to guide the journey |
| mode. Lesson plans always need to be done, papers | | | | and encourage along the way. |