‘Give First-Time Teachers the Tools to Succeed’

By Mushky Feller

I will always remember the first time I walked into a classroom. I had graduated from the Beis Rivka teacher training course, which was thorough and comprehensive. I grew up the daughter of Oholei Torah Kindergarten’s longtime principal, and chinuch permeated my home.

But when I prepared to walk into the classroom that first day, when I prepared to see 14 pairs of eyes belonging to 14 four-year-olds looking at me and waiting to see what came next, I felt intimidated. How would I translate the book learning into practical teaching?

Every September, dozens, if not hundreds of newly-minted teachers walk into classrooms for the first time. Many of them feel just like I did on that first day all those years ago. For the most part, the soldier through, figuring it out as they go, and eventually getting the hang of classroom instruction.

But is that really how we want teachers to learn how to teach? By trial and error, by figuring out what works on their own?

After four years of medical school, doctors aren’t even eligible to apply for a license to practice medicine until they’ve completed a year — or more commonly two or three years of residency under the tutelage of more experienced doctors in their fields.

Our teachers can’t be expected to serve as assistants or interns for years, but what we can do is to provide them with mentorship; with a listening ear and the wisdom that comes with experience, with curriculums and supply lists.

As I prepared to begin the school year as a first-year teacher, I realized I needed to find someone who’d be willing to mentor me. I reached out to a teacher with decades of experience and asked if she would coach me. She told me what to say on the first day; how to introduce myself and how to explain the classroom rules and routines. She showed me her binder with years of carefully-planned lessons, crafts and worksheets. She answered my questions and empowered me to be a confident teacher.

I’m thankful that I’m now in a position to pay that mentorship forward, as I’ve now begun serving as a mentor and coach to new teachers, providing coaching and a prepared curriculum to brand-new morahs who are in the same position I was when I first started out. And I’ve heard over and over how helpful, reassuring and encouraging it was to be able to lean on someone else’s experience.

So as we prepare to begin the coming school year, please think of all those new morahs. If you’re in a position to provide guidance, please make the time and put in the effort to help new teachers get acclimated. And if you’re new to the classroom — or to the grade or type of school you’re teaching this year — don’t hesitate to reach out to someone for guidance.

Together, we can ensure that every teacher feels supported and empowered in our shared mission to educate the next generation of precious Yiddishe neshamos.

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Mushky Feller taught preschool for more than a decade, and provides curriculums and mentorship to teachers. For more information, message (347) 907-3595.