To tell you the truth, nothing can completely prepare you for a new working environment, especially if you are working in a school. Sure, you may think that your University degree is enough, but there are many aspects of teaching you can’t possibly anticipate. Until you become an employee you won’t know what to expect.
Sometimes it’s not enough to be a great teacher. You also need to adapt to the school culture and get to know many new policies and procedures. Think of it as a family – each one has its unique traditions. In this case, other employees are the ones who create this culture and specific atmosphere.
This is the reason why starting a new teaching job may be challenging on several levels. You will be entering a new world with all kinds of different personal and professional relationships, which can be stressful. Adjusting to a new work environment and new responsibilities properly can take some time and feeling overwhelmed is pretty common. Still, you don’t want this to affect your performance.
If this topic is something you are interested in, please continue reading. Here we will discuss how to quickly adapt to a school working environment and ensure your first days on a new job go as smoothly as possible.
Make Yourself Comfortable
Feeling comfortable in the classroom is the first step. It isn’t essential just for you, but for the kids as well. Unlike offices, schools require special furniture allowing for a lot of movement and allowing kids to reach most surfaces. You can familiarize yourself with this if you click here. Having a high-quality teacher desk and a comfortable chair can help you feel more relaxed while teaching, which automatically means you are more likely to make a good impression on the children and bond with them easily. Also, the kids need to have comfortable desks and classroom chairs – studies have shown that kids learn better when they feel at ease. Make sure you include some interesting display bookcases, tray storages in different colours and shapes, or a board where you can display students’ artwork. It’s always better to work in a space you enjoy and find inspiring.
Reach Out To Your Coworkers
The sooner you begin building trust and friendships with other teachers and the rest of the staff, the more relaxed and comfortable you will feel in a new working environment. When you introduce yourself to new people make sure you remember their names and maintain eye contact while talking to them. Try to understand their responsibilities and roles and always be respectful, friendly, and considerate.
As you get to know your coworkers, it’s very important to stay connected to them. This is essential to make a successful workplace and pleasant atmosphere but it can also boost the productivity of the whole team. Talk to the other employees regularly, invite them for a cup of coffee, and don’t hesitate to join a group of colleagues when you see they are talking about work. Knowing what’s happening around you and asking the right questions might make you more confident in a new school. And let’s face it – being surrounded by friends at work can only boost your spirits and increase your positivity.
Being pleasant to work with is more important than you think. Many new teachers ace their interviews for a teaching position and start their first jobs at school with a bad attitude. They sometimes act as if they are entitled to be in the position and they think they know everything best. Don’t make this mistake. No one wants to look insecure and scared when they start working but you should still stay humble. Make sure you work hard on any assignment and try learning as much as you can from your new coworkers. This way, other teachers will start seeing you as someone willing to work hard but who is still friendly, pleasant, and easy to work with.
Accept The Change
The first few weeks of a new job can be challenging. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed is very common, even for seasoned professionals. Still, your transition to a new school can go much smoother if you just accept the challenges and changes. Everybody has expectations from a new job but it’s best to just let them go and anticipate that many things will be different than you imagined. Being flexible is the key to adapt to a new school working environment, as well as being ready to take on all the new challenges that lie ahead. When you keep a positive attitude and an open mind you are more likely to get accepted by the kids and your coworkers quickly.
Change is a natural part of life and many great opportunities can show up when you are flexible. So, let go of your old habits and remind yourself that change usually brings personal and professional growth.
Get To Know Your Superiors
Most people don’t like their bosses, to be honest, but you don’t have to be one of them. Imagine you get to know them and have a friendly relationship! It may seem unlikely but it’s not that difficult at all. You just need to make some effort. Of course, it depends on your personality and you don’t need to be best friends. But having a good relationship with all your coworkers, including your superiors, will drastically reduce your stress levels and anxiety and help you adapt to a new job very quickly.
Try finding out how your boss likes to work. For example – do they prefer team meetings or one-on-one meetings? Do they like discussing your work in detail or do they only need simple overviews? Do they usually get involved in all school activities or maybe prefer that teachers stay in charge?
If you find out these things in the beginning, you will certainly adapt and settle much quicker. Don’t be shy to ask questions and initiate contact with your superiors. Discuss what they expect of you in a friendly and professional manner. This way they will get to know you and they are more likely to start building trust. On the other hand, you will be more confident and avoid any unnecessary conflicts.
Adjusting to a new teaching position is a very exciting experience. Sure, some nerves are completely expected but there is no need to get stressed out or worry a lot. Follow this simple guide that will help you prepare and adapt to a new working environment. And always remember that the most important thing is that you are doing the job you love.