This podcast is for an Educational Technology class at the University of Northern Colorado.

Hi everyone, my name Is Emily Wullstein, and I am a first year special education teacher. For this podcast today, I wanted to speak a little bit about Support, and more specifically about support or first year teachers like myself. Taking on a  classroom of students with little to no experience is something that is very daunting. We all have gone to school, and learned everything we need to be qualified to teach, but nothing can truly prepare us for all the little bumps that can happen in a school year. As a first year teacher myself, I have seen the importance of encouragement by and for us fellow newcomers. It is so important for a school to create an environment that helps to build up our new teachers, and encourage them along the way.

One thing that I’ve seen to be super beneficial in a school environment is mentoring. Having one of the school’s veterans get teamed up with a first year teacher, and help them. Kinda show them the ropes...help with some of those things that may just come along with experience  in the teaching world. Having someone to help continue to educate us, and help us to be the best teacher possible is something I would absolutely love in my first year. As teachers, we will never truly know everything there is to know, so having two great minds work together, and sharing knowledge, would be something that could really help out a new face.

Another possible tool for first year teachers would be some sort of check in, or reflection, to help promote communication between colleagues. Maybe once or twice a week, have someone check in with a first year teacher, and just ask them how they’re doing! Give them the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions, or just allow them to communicate with the staff ...this not only helps to support our new staff, but also build those relationships with teachers. Those relationships are so important if we want a school to operate to its full potential, and including new teachers into that is crucial.

As for my new teachers that are listening to this, just remember: no teacher is perfect. We are all going to have a couple rough days mixed in with all the good ones, and there  is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for support. And more than anything, remember to bring with you everyday the passion that brought you to this profession in the first place. We all love teaching, and we all love children, and that is the most important part.

Thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoyed, have a great school year.