1) Very few things go as planned. It's true, things will run a whole lot smother if you are prepared, and preparing is vitally important. However, don't expect things to go exactly like you planned, because I guarantee they won't. I hate to burst your bubble of joy, but be ready to be flexible.
2) You will learn to think on your feet. Children have a way of throwing the unexpected at a teacher. Be ready to make quick decisions.
3) Prayer time will turn into story time. In my K-2nd class I have 12 students. On a normal day we probably have about 8 to 10 prayer requests and before I know it they all have stories to tell me. I love hearing all their prayer requests and stories, but it takes up way too much class time. I finally found a solution. Every week I take only 5 prayer requests at the beginning of class, and I write them down. Then, we say a prayer and start class. Writing them down helps if one of the students would like to pray, but has trouble remembering the prayer requests. Then after class as they leave the classroom, the children that were not called on tell me their prayer request and I write them down in my book. This way I can pray for them over the week.
4) Don't be afraid of correcting misbehavior. I want to be their friend as well as their
teacher. So when I had to correct a child it was sometimes difficult. I initially
thought they may not like me as a teacher anymore since I had to correct their
behavior. However, I learned that this is not the case. Generally, the children
want to please the teacher and they will improve their behavior. If that doesn't work they will straighten up if something they enjoy is on the line.
5) Consistency is key. Don't be discouraged if your students don't understand what is required of them immediately. I remember trying to get my 12 twirling students into two straight lines facing the mirror. As I tried to give them instruction they would either make a line perpendicular to the mirror or face the wrong way. It was frustrating for me. I tried so many different ways. You see that was the problem. Since I tried so many things, they didn't know what to expect. I soon discovered that if I used the same technique over and over they soon knew exactly what to do.
6) Stay firm in what you say. Don't let your students persuade you into something you told them not to do. One of the little girls in my class has really taught me to stay firm in what I say. It's difficult when she asks over and over and over again. Many times I just wanted to give in so she would stop asking. However, I didn't. I knew that if did, she would most likely end up questioning my authority more often. I didn't want to make that mistake.
