Carve Your Path: A Principal’s Letter To A First Year Teacher

Maggie,

As a professional, there are few things more challenging than being a first year teacher. The kids expect you to know everything, the staff ​expects you to know everything, and you expect yourself to be great at everything. It’s an incredibly heavy weight to bear and one that can ​quite often crush even the best of us.

You have made first year teaching look easy.

Before you can think of the words I know you’ll say, let me stop you -- Yes, you’ve had support. No, you’re not doing it alone. Yes, Crossroads is ​an “easier” place than where some other folks have been. Still, the reality is that none of that matters. When a teacher closes the door to their ​classroom, he or she controls or struggles to control everything. You have done a masterful job in your space.

You have built relationships with children and adults. You have been open to feedback on instruction. You have set a standard for children in ​regards to what they will learn with you and how they will comport themselves in your space. You have done all of these things while creating ​an absolutely joyful space to learn. This, I can tell you from firsthand knowledge, is no small feat. It is something you should be proud of and ​take as your own personal victory.

As we continue through this year together, I have one ask of you, continue to carve your own path. You will receive a lot of feedback from ​Susan, from TFA, and from Me -- I will always tell you that I’m right. You will be the one to determine the signal from the noise and use what ​you need. Remember, you know yourself and your children better than anyone else. I want you to be confident in your decision making even if ​it goes against what everyone is telling you. Do this job on your own terms.

Thank you for joining our team this year. I can’t wait to see what you do next.

Sincerely,

Matthew Ebert

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