It’s a known fact that coming to a new school is a difficult transition for freshmen, but did you know new teachers have trouble adjusting too? New teachers have to adjust to new coworkers, new work environments, new books, and new lesson plans. Like freshmen, new teachers need to learn everything from the layout of the school to the technology. However, new teachers and freshmen alike discover they have joined a community that feels like family.

As second quarter begins, new teachers explain the difficulties of adjusting to working at a new school. Saint Viator has been named an Apple Distinguished School for the second consecutive term for effectively utilizing technology throughout the school. New teachers also learn how to incorporate technology into their lessons if they did not previously use technology at their old schools. Teachers also explain what they love about the school already.

“I love getting students really involved in the work, and I can spread the message of hope to my students,” said literature teacher Ms. Jamey Miller. “Everyone in the Midwest is so friendly.”

Teachers’ styles and appreciation of teaching do not change, but they have to adjust to a new teaching environment and format of subject material.

“Teaching with new colleagues, new books, and new lesson plans are challenges,” said Ms. Miller. “I try to meet one or two more people a week.”

New teachers and longtime teachers get to know each other better at meetings and faculty events.

“I understand it can be difficult to get to know who everyone is. I still don’t know some of those people,” said physics teacher Mrs. Cate Majka.

“I’ve taught on iPads, and I have always been a big fan of iPads since you can easily look up quotes, highlight, and use the dictionary,” said Ms. Miller.

However, other teachers may find adjusting to technology difficult at first if they have not had exposure to technology use at their previous schools.

“Adapting to using technology daily is the hardest part for my new teachers,” said junior Zoe Green.

“The Smart Boards can be an adjustment,” said junior Kathryn Williams.

Longtime teachers have adjusted to the increased technology incorporated into the curriculum. However, new teachers will find that the school is an enjoyable environment to work in even if they have to use new technology and to learn new faces.

“My favorite part of teaching is the students. The students are awesome and eager to learn new material. I could retire, but it’s so much fun to work here,” said Mrs. Majka.

The teachers with more experience at the school also mentor the newer or younger teachers in their department to help them adjust to the school.

“We have mentors in our department. I am mentoring the new teacher for physics. We have team meetings and go over what we are covering for our week. It helps them to keep focused and keep on task,” said Mrs. Majka.

New teacher who have comprehensive experience teaching can also help out their fellow new teachers. Ms. Miller moved from Las Vegas, and she has been teaching for 24 years. She helps other new teachers to her department who have less experience teaching.

“We work in curricular teams. We meet on professional development days to be on the same page in terms of tests,” said Mrs. Miller. “I helped a new teacher learn to use the Scantron machine. It is hard to teach people everything in orientation. You learn as you go.”

Teachers who have more recently graduated from college also benefit from the aid of experienced teachers to learn important aspects of the classroom from discipline to planning for a class period. There are many lessons that recent additions to the staff learn from teaching rather than at college, and their colleagues give them advice on how to effectively run their classroom.

“The instruction on classroom management in college is inadequate. Student teaching helps,” said Ms. Miller.

“They don’t know what they don’t know. They have to learn the amount of material they can cover in a class period, and the amount of information they can ask on a test. They have to learn how to deal with their students. You don’t learn that in school,” said Mrs. Majka.

Thus, teachers transitioning to a new school may take time to adjust, yet new teachers will find the school is a welcoming community.

“When you’re a lion, you’re a lion for life.”