Important Qualities of Novice Teachers

As I sat in my classroom thinking about the characteristics of a successful novice teacher, I found myself referencing my classroom list of the virtues of a successful student. The following list of characteristics is the main focal point of my classroom (i.e. in big bold print on bright yellow paper above the blackboard):
PASSION
CHARISMA
DETERMINATION
CHARACTER
HONESTY
INTEGRITY
Many of these are the same characteristics I would attribute to a successful novice teacher. The most important of these are passion and charisma. These qualities are innate within all master teachers. Important teaching skills such as organization, time management, even collegiality can be learned. However, passion and charisma are qualities that need to be present in a teacher on the first day of school. The opportunity to impact the lives of students should inspire teachers even on their first day. This excitement is hard to describe, never mind trying to instill it into a new teacher!

The two other qualities that impact the success of novice teachers are willingness to learn and motivation to reach their potential. Many novice teachers come fresh out of teacher education programs in which they received excellent grades. It is a rude awakening when a mentor or supervisor suggests some areas of improvement. I remember my first observation conference. Prior to teaching, I had a nearly perfect academic career and had a very successful consulting career. It had seemed for most of my life that success came naturally. Not so in teaching! My supervisor had a list of rather basic suggestions (for example, “Don’t pre-prepare your overheads and just slid the paper down. Students aren’t engaged.”). Internally, I fought the suggestions. Still, I implemented the suggestions ‘to make him happy’ without any confidence that they would impact my students. Well, lo and behold, things started changing. It was clear that students were starting to ENJOY the class (I didn’t realize how excited students could get over Geometry). It was then that I realized that I had a lot to learn. I began to soak up advice from anyone who would give it. In doing so, I created developed some relationships with colleagues that continue to have a tremendous impact on my career today.

The most successful novice teachers view teaching as a vocation, not a job. Master teachers update their techniques and strategies each year based on their experiences inside and outside the classroom. The best new teachers understand that teaching is a journey. Growth is an important part of our career and novice teachers need to realize that they are not expected to have mastered their craft on the first day. Instead, the most successful novice teachers realize their potential and are motivated to do their best to reach it.