Teaching Tips

 Welcome to my teaching tips collection - containing helpful (and humorous) tips for teachers in home, private, and public schools!

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TT#1- Dress Code For Teachers

Public School- Examine what the other teachers are wearing, and obtain the same brands and styles. Casual and comfortable are usually OK, but not grungy or ripped. Coordinated outfits with sweaters or vests are good choices. Collars/bodices, sleeve openings and hemlines must be examined critically to be sure they are modest when you are moving, climbing stairs, bending over, or reaching. Wear jewelry and perfume or cologne. Be extremely fussy about hand care - keep those nails short, clean and smooth! Hands are constantly near the children, so make them attractive. Use scented hand lotion. Keep an oversized smock top or lab coat to wear over your clothes if the class may be messy. Be careful NOT to dress like the secretaries.

Private School - Same as public school, but about ten years out of date unless it is a very upscale school, in which case you need to wear this year's models but very conservative lines. Dress the way the parents do when they are going to church. Many private schools have dress codes, so ask for the guidelines.

Home School - Dress the way you wish the children to learn to dress for everyday. Pajamas are perfectly OK, if that's the way you go to the store. Mothers and daughters do not need to wear matching denim jumpers, and boys do not need to wear a tie. Comfortable and casual are most common. Emphasis needs to be placed on personal grooming and modesty, on presenting yourself neat and clean at all times, on being as considerate of your family as you would of others. For example, brush your teeth before curling up for read-alouds!

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TT#2 - Interviews

Public School and Private Schools - During all interviews, including with parents during the year, wear a conservative and modest tailored suit. Hair needs to be conservatively styled, beards should be trimmed and combed. Women should wear perfume, men should always wear a tie.

Home School - This is also known as "Mom and Dad time", and is best conducted away from the home and children. For example, a weekly dinner out.

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TT#3 - Schedule

Public School - Dictated by the Administration, and may not be changed for any reason.

Private School - Dictated by the School Board, but the teachers often may make small changes.

Home School - Dictated by convenience and preference.

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TT#4 - Classroom Decor

Public School - Big rooms, often with many posters provided by curriculum salesmen, and commercially-produced seasonal decorations. Something needs to be on every bare space, to teach the child whose attention has wandered from the teacher and the lesson.

Private School - Usually double-duty rooms which are also used for storage and/or Sunday School classes; intensively decorated by nervous teachers with an eye to pleasing the parents, not educating the children. Cartoon characters and a text-rich environment are considered signs of a good teacher who is aware of the children's need for entertainment. Prints of fine art are not considered suitable.

Home School - There is rarely a separate room for school. Instead, areas do double duty, and school supplies will be put away after lessons. Comfort and suitability are the desire. The best art the family can manage, even inexpensive prints of fine work. Posters may decorate children's rooms, but not the family living areas. Seasonal decorations are usually produced by the family, and enjoyed by all.

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I have collected titles of many good teaching helps books. Here are a few of my favorites:

Below are more teacher pages - these aren't materials, nor are they courses. You will find lesson plans, on-line quizzes, and some helpful teaching tips on these pages.
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