Congratulations! You’re stepping into a great profession of hardworking, dedicated people with their first priority…kids. So where should you start? Begin by asking these questions:
- What are the school and district philosophies. What are their missions? What are their major goals and how do they work to meet them? How do they fit into their local community goals?
- What is the designated curriculum? What materials will you be expected to use? What latitude do you have for introducing topics of your personal interest?
- How supportive are the parents of the school and district? What active parent and community committees are in place? How and how often are you expected to interface with classroom parents and district personnel?
- What are the average class sizes in your grade band? What special services are available to you and your students?
- What types of teacher teaming are in use? Will you have a mentor or an experienced partner to answer your questions?
- Is there a classroom budget? What restrictions exist on school-purchased materials? Are funds or grants available for teacher use in building their resources?