The Journey from Newbie to Veteran Teacher

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So, it has been over 30 years since I was a newbie at my school. Throughout my journey, I do notice the difference: veteran teacher vs. newbie in myself! But, I have earned my way into the veteran teacher category! With some things, I change and grow every year. I make choices to stay current and be a forever learner. But, I also can resemble the old curmudgeon veteran teacher who knows it all; very different from my newbie teacher self of 1990!

Fortunately, I have had the most incredible opportunities to mentor and meet some fantastic teacher newbies! This school year is no different; our school welcomes some of these new teachers, our newbies. I love having new teachers breathing fresh air into our building. Their exuberance is contagious. But, newbies are also wide-eyed. College doesn’t prepare them for all of this!

Well, in fun, I have compiled some differences between veteran teachers and newbies. Both veteran and newbie teachers are AMAZING! But, there are some hilarious differences between them. Read on and have a laugh or two. You might laugh out loud at #7.

Journey Day One: Veteran Teachers vs. Newbies

1-Veterans have spent many years returning from summer break back into their classrooms. Veteran teachers realize the teacher tired that is about to hit them. Newbies buy the new outfit to make a good impression. They purchase the most fabulous teacher bag. They are up all night overly excited for their first day. Veteran teachers are mixing that last drink, milking the last few seconds of life before school takes their life over!

2-So, I always say to the newbies, ask me questions anytime. I really mean, go figure some stuff out on your own because I have my class to prepare things for this year! Veterans know where to find items, run every machine, and complete each piece of paperwork. But, we don’t want to tell it all on the first day!

3-Newbies love new fancy things like new planners, new gadgets, new bulletin boards, and they spend their money to get these things. They shop at IKEA and the Target dollar aisle. Veteran teachers like The Dollar Tree and finding bargains on Amazon!

4-Meetings, professional learning, more meetings, more PLC. Newbies have no idea what these Inservice/Institute Days meetings will do to their time in their room. Veterans sit in the back and hope no one notices that they are getting their schedules worked out, finishing some lesson plans, looking for fresh curriculum ideas on TPT, and getting a little shut-eye in!

More Differences on our Journey

5-Newbies come in ready to share all of the new ideas they have learned in college. Veteran teachers sit back and let them learn why some things in teaching have to stay the same. We are not laughing!

6-Veteran teachers were newbies once. They had that exuberance. They had that desire to change the world. They’ve worked for many years and realized they aren’t setting the world on fire, but they are making a difference one child at a time!

7-Veteran and newbie teachers love their students, but veteran teachers realize that these little people may be adorable on the outside and not so sweet on the inside. Veteran teachers are rarely surprised by the things that kids can say and do. Newbies get bit!

 

Some Final Differences: Veteran Teachers vs. Newbies

8-We all make mistakes. Mistakes are learning experiences. When a newbie makes a mistake, it is to be expected. Sometimes, veteran teachers make mistakes, too, lots of them! We no longer can blame it on being new.

9-The Clothing! Veteran teachers like to dress cute, but they learned a long time ago to be comfortable first. T-shirts go with yoga pants and leggings. Just switch to a nice top for a meeting or drinks after work. Newbies have work clothes vs. home clothes vs. out on the town clothes. They’ll learn.

10-Although we have our differences when COVID comes, we work together, newbies and veterans on the same team!

I hope you laughed a little or a lot at our tongue-in-cheek look at the differences: veteran teachers vs. newbies. While reading, did you see any of yourself in either category? I’m glad that the veterans in this profession can welcome new ideas, new people, and change. I am also pleased for all of the newbies that have entered our school doors and have gone on to shine. Teachers are rock stars!

WRITTEN BY – SUZANNE KELLEY

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Welcome! I’m Emily, Founder of Education to the Core. We are all about helping K-2 teachers by providing unlimited access to affordable printables for every subject area.