The NEA Professional Library is also a great resource to turn to for relevant materials to your teaching practice. The NEA Library publishes a monthly e-newsletter called First Edition, which offers the most current information about new books, merchandise, and special offers from the NEA Professional Library. Sign up for First Edition and access other NEA resources at: http://store.nea.org/NEABookstore. 6. Be prepared for special students. You may have students with special needs. Plan how you will deal with them in the best interests of the student, yourself and the class. Ask for ideas from veteran teachers. 7. Find a mentor. Every teacher needs someone to turn to for advice or to unload about challenges. If your district doesn’t have a formal mentoring program, seek out a teacher to be your listening “buddy.” 8. Communicate with parents. If you teach primary, send a note home early informing parents that you need to get to know pupils before you can comment on them. List the process and times for parents to get in touch with you. Introduce yourself and include your policy on homework. Consider writing a fun newsletter once a month and sending it home with students. (Always have someone else proofread it before you send it out). 9. Support your Association. Join your local education Association for the support of others who understand your job. Read your contract and your school board policies so you will know your rights.
10. Set a positive tone. You have the opportunity to help your students realize that school can make a difference for each of them. Extend the positive tone by communicating with home, also. 11. And finally. . . Keep these three qualities of good teaching in mind: be flexible, be patient, and have a sense of humor.
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