Part #1 - You have just been
hired, now what?
Introduction:
There are so many things that a first-year ag teacher needs to
know. As
a matter of fact, there are so many things that it is impossible to learn them
all. The
first word of advice is….don't try to learn it all the first year.
This
guide will give you a resource to begin doing things your way.
It is not meant to be a one-size fits all.
It will allow you the opportunity to see things in an organized manner
that you can adapt to your liking. The
only thing worse than not doing anything is doing a lot in an unorganized and
halfway manner.
-
Be
at the school each and every day you are not out-of-town on an FFA or ag ed
related trip. Even if you plan to visit projects, spend most of the day at
school.
Visit projects early in the morning and work at school the rest
of the day.
-
It
is important for the administration and other teachers to know that you are
working hard.
-
Before
you start, take pictures of the facilities and set some goals as to what you
want it to look like.
-
Clean
up the facilities. This means
the shop, classroom, storage, and outside.
-
Inventory
the shop equipment and supplies to determine needs.
(This is a good time to re-stock.)
-
Check
the textbooks and curriculum materials for adequate numbers.
-
Organize
the curriculum materials in the classroom.
Dust off all the books and throw
those away that you will not use.
-
Organize
and arrange the classroom different than the former teacher.
Make it yours.
-
Organize
your office.
-
Introduce
yourself to other teachers.
-
Clean
the ag truck.
-
If
there is a school farm, clean it, too.
-
If
you are aware of students' livestock projects, try to visit their projects about once
a week. It is not necessary to stay long, just check and be on your way.
If the student and/or parents are not there, leave a "sorry I
missed you" or note.
-
If
you have a school farm with show stock, visit it every other day...sometimes every day if
you're working there.
It is good for folks to see you there.
-
Remember
to keep appropriate hours. Arrive
at work early and go home (when possible) at a reasonable hour to be with
your family. Family must remain
important. How you start off
your timetable is what
people will expect from then on.
-
Outline
your classes with a course syllabus. List
the topics you will teach, rules, grading policy, and any other item you
want the students to know about that class.
Prepare a syllabus for each course.
If you need assistance you can access examples from the ag ed Web
site. (Sample Syllabi)
-
Prepare
to teach by thoroughly going over your materials.
-
Make
lesson plans for the first four weeks of school.
If you are going attend stock shows, make copies of the worksheets.
-
Keep
an event calendar and announcements on the classroom bulletin board or
chalkboard... even during the summer.
*There
are many things you will want to accomplish when you begin.
Take the first summer to get your feet planted and your facility ready.
Once you have that done, you will be able to move on to the next area you
want to develop. For example,
livestock projects, CDE teams, etc.
If
you can complete this checklist, you are ready for school to begin.
ü
You have
been seen working on the facilities regularly.
ü
You have
been at school every day (except days on trips.)
ü
Set goals
for what you want the facilities to look like (take "before" pictures).
ü
Cleaned
up the entire facility. Inventoried the shop and ordered supplies.
ü
Organized
the curriculum materials and ordered what is needed.
ü
Organized
and rearranged the classroom.
ü
Organized
your office.
ü
Introduced
yourself to other teachers.
ü
Cleaned
the ag truck.
ü
Cleaned
the school farm.
ü
Developed
a syllabus for each class.
ü
Completed
the first two weeks of lesson plans with copies of worksheets.
ü
Prepared
to teach.
ü
Posted
announcements and an event calendar.
