Any positives to having a teacher fresh out of school?

[Anonymous]

My DS got the brand new teacher last year for K. She was a very nice young lady and I think very smart. She seemed to know what she was doing and was easy to communicate with.

However, as the year progressed, DS started having some "issues" at school. While the teacher didn't cause the issues, I couldn't help but wonder if one of the other 2 K teachers (who had each been teaching for 20+ years) could've helped DS more. But that is just speculation that the other teachers could've been better.

[Anonymous]

"What IS the point of your question? ANY person NEW to a field will have quite a bit to learn that first year. I'm tired of this question. "

Yes but the teacher is operating largely on her own ina classroom with less supervision than I think is likely in the other examples cited by a PP (doctor, lawyer, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Yes but the teacher is operating largely on her own ina classroom with less supervision than I think is likely in the other examples cited by a PP (doctor, lawyer, etc).

I don't think they have less supervision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yes but the teacher is operating largely on her own ina classroom with less supervision than I think is likely in the other examples cited by a PP (doctor, lawyer, etc).

I don't think they have less supervision.

Supervision aside, I have a choice whether to use a doctor or lawyer fresh out of school. I don't have a choice as to which teacher my children are assigned to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:b/c the subject line itself is loaded

your words: ". . .but I am of course borrowing trouble and worrying that one or both of our kids will get a brand new teacher . . ." way to set the tone!

any POSITIVES? wth?

Already you're leading into a discussion that has most thinking that it's the rare first year teacher who has anything good to offer. Again, we don't question those in other professions, do we???

Why did you even ask this? You can't micromanage your child's life. So if your daughter or son has a new teacher, just let it go. Why did you feel the need to post this? What can you possibly gain from "insight" on this thread? Will you go in and offer to "help" in an effort to improve the teacher's performance? b/c everyone's an expert in education

Let the teacher teach and allow your child space to grow w/o hovering!

so many controlling parents on this board - I only hope that most posters are in the minority b/c if you represent the majority, education is going to hell in a handbasket.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Due to retirements and relocations, our children's elementary school hired several new teachers this year. A couple of them are experienced, but others are recent graduates. We won't find out teacher assignments until later this week, but I am of course borrowing trouble and worrying that one or both of our kids will get a brand new teacher. Does anyone have a good experience having a complete newbie as a teacher? Teachers, were you completely clueless your first year?[/quote]

Let me flip this.

Lawyers, were you completely clueless your first year?

Doctors, were you completely clueless your first year?

Pharmacists, were you completely clueless your first year?

Electricians, were you completely clueless your first year?

What IS the point of your question? ANY person NEW to a field will have quite a bit to learn that first year. I'm tired of this question.

So why did you read it and answer?
The point of the question was to find out what some of the positives might be, despite the inexperience. and several other posters were nice and calm enough to provide those positives. If the question caused you such distress that you needed to do all caps and express your fatigue, you could have just skipped it.

Ok, you are acting kinda nutty.
clearly the question was not so loaded that people didn't come up with positives. in fact, it seems nearly everyone who has had experience with a first year teacher has had something positive to say. Perhaps you misunderstood my use of the term "borrowing trouble", but I was referring to worrying unnecessarily. Yes, all people new to their professions have a lot to learn, but we usually have a choice as to whether or not to hire or use the services of someone with no experience. We don't have a choice WRT the teacher.
I think this has actually been a pretty helpful and civil thread with the exception of your inexplicable outrage.

[Anonymous]

Aside from more energy and enthusiasm, a first-year teacher, in Montgomery County, will be in a program in which s/he will be evaluated by the administration, and will have a consulting teacher. A consulting teacher will observe every 2-4 weeks in the beginning, less frequently later in the year, and will be a source of constructive criticism, feedback and resources.

I'm a teacher, and honestly, the veterans are the ones that I would be more weary of for my own kids. Some of the vets I know are very stuck in their ways and don't want to adapt to new technology and teaching methods. I know a lot of teachers who have been at it a while (who are still great teachers) but have lost a lot of enthusiasm and start a lot of sentences with "When I first I started, I used to..." Truthfully, I've been teaching 10 years and there are a lot of things I used to do--using sign language, using kids' photos for labels, etc--that I don't do as often. It's hard to keep it up year after year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"What IS the point of your question? ANY person NEW to a field will have quite a bit to learn that first year. I'm tired of this question. "

Yes but the teacher is operating largely on her own ina classroom with less supervision than I think is likely in the other examples cited by a PP (doctor, lawyer, etc).

You know not of which you speak, PP.

In MoCo, new teachers and those new to our system (who don't have tenure) are assigned consulting teachers and mentors - either from the county or from w/in departments. Furthermore, they are under "scrutiny" as they are observed by APs (or principals - in elementary schools), resource teachers (secondary level) and staff development teachers who are there to help.

They're not thrown to the dogs.

I'm sick of people chiming in who know NOTHING about how we operate as educators.

[Anonymous]

Agreed with PP - new teachers have access to a ton of supports, are very enthusiastic, have the freshest information, and often outshine some veteran teachers who have checked out (not to say that all have...)

[Anonymous]

I am more concerned that she went to a lower tier state school, but perhaps she wasn't drunk the whole time like the other graduates I know from that school. I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt if my son gets her.

Some of the worst teachers I ever had were on the verge of retirement and miserable. Young teachers can bring a lot of enthusiasm and the kids think they are cool. However, younger teachers often struggle with "classroom control". One wild out of control kid can bring the whole class to a halt. Older teachers often demand an IEP at the first sign of hijinx....

[Anonymous]

Our kid had a new teacher for K and had a great experience. The new teacher was paired with an experienced K teacher as a mentor and received a ton of other support/supervision. She was enthusiastic and connected well with the kids.

[Anonymous]

THe worst teacher we have encountered was just about to retire. Her philosophy towards kids was straight out of the 1950s. She had no respect for the kids, had no patience, and was a bullshit artist. I would rather have a new teacher who is energetic, interested, and trained up on more progressive approaches.

[Anonymous]

Look for negatives and you will find them.

[Anonymous]

We've had new and experienced teachers, and so much is specific teacher-dependent. But I echo several PPs that said that new teachers bring a lot of energy and effort to their first classes. If you see a problem, talk to the teacher. Often new teachers are very receptive to parental input -- they usually get less receptive as they gain experience. I also agree that new teachers tend to treat each kid more as an individual, rather than putting them into a "mold". Embrace the positives... there will always be positives and negatives to any teacher, but there are some true advantages to a new teacher!!

[Anonymous]

I am more afraid of first year parents! They are usually far less educated in what they are about to undertake and have far great potential to mess up a child than a shirt stint with a new teacher.

I have been very impressed with the new teachers my kids have had. That said, we are at a small school with strong leadership that works hard to hire folks that fit well with the current staff and gives the new people a great deal of support and mentoring.

[Anonymous]

While i am not the op, we have a freshly minted teacher for K. She seems incredibly sweet. The positives expressed here are useful. (and i ignored the troll)

So, for now, we watch and wait and hope the struture and support from the school, coupled with her enthusiasm and genuine sweetness, will be sufficient for our kid. It does not hurt that she is cute as a button. It is almost comical to see him react to a nice smile - he just asks how high he should jump.