Each year, the Education Minnesota Professional Conference offers special sessions for students and beginning teachers, including the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of newer teachers. Here are some typical questions and answers.

What has been your most trying and/or difficult moment so far?
One of the more difficult things about teaching for me is staying organized. It sounds like a little thing, but it’s so incredibly important and extends to so many areas – organization in your planning, materials, resources, grading, assessments, methods for calling on students, etc. I try to create systems for myself, but it really just seems like something that becomes easier the more you do it. And I’m still far from being as organized as I’d like to be, but at least I always know what I’m doing a few days in advance.

What did you do to establish control in the classroom? 
This was tough. One thing I try to do is maintain composure and confidence if I’m waiting for their attention or something, just showing them that I won’t conduct the work or our class in an environment that isn’t respectful of everyone. I also try to make it clear that I care about my students, which requires me to get upset sometimes if they’re being disrespectful or whatever. Addressing students individually in a calm and respectful way can go a long way too. I often just stand there staring at them, sometimes throwing in an “I’m waiting…” or “Your classmates are waiting for you to settle down…” Just stay cool is the main thing.
 
What resources (books, etc) have you used and found to be effective in learning classroom management?
I read “The First Days of School,” but it sort of scared me. However, it did have some great advice on establishing procedures for getting class started and establishing and following classroom rules.
 
What are some of the biggest issues you have to deal with? 
Class management, poorly prepared students, creating courses from the thin air with little exterior guidance. What are the best resources I used in searching for jobs? Contacts from my licensing school and circle of friends.
 
What do you do to help establish yourself in the community that you teach in? 
Attend school events - concerts, games, play performances etc. The more parents and community members see you and see that you are interested in the entire school community, the better.
 
How do you decide how much is enough for working on school things?
I stop when my return is low. If I am so tired that another two hours would give me as much real gain as a half an hour fresh tomorrow, I stop. On average, I am working about 25 hours per week outside of class. I hope this will gradually decrease. 
  
As a new and young teacher, how did you gain respect from coworkers?
I am not young. As a second-career teacher, my life experience earned me enough respect. As a public school teacher, I am still an infant, and gladly accepted help. This cost no loss of respect.