CHRIS ARDIS: 10 tips for teachers to make this year great

Set those alarm clocks and get the school supplies ready. Students start back to school next Monday. Teachers returned to work yesterday and have already embarked on the annual back-to-school in-services. Last week I offered some insight to administrators. This week, I’d like to offer 10 tips for teachers:

1. Set high and realistic expectations for all students. Remember that when we lower our standards and expectations, we essentially tell them they are incapable of reaching the higher bar.

2. Don’t forget the 3 R’s: Respect, Relevance and Responsibility. We must give respect in order to earn it. Allow students to see why the knowledge we are imparting is relevant to them and to the world. Guide them to take responsibility for their learning and their success.

3. Speaking of responsibility, we must be responsible enough to meet deadlines. When deadlines for submitting paperwork are set, meet them. It is senseless when valuable time is wasted because administrators must remind professionals to turn in documents.

4. We are the first line of defense when it comes to behavior management. Establish clear classroom rules and enforce them consistently to avoid the need for a mountain of disciplinary referrals. Call parents. Also remember that district and school policies are not optional. Administrators cannot enforce them alone. It takes an entire campus working together.

5. Every minute wasted in a classroom is knowledge lost. Time on task is more than a phrase. It is a guiding principle.

6. We must know our students, recognizing when they might need help from a counselor or the school nurse. Put their birthdays on a calendar. Something so simple matters to them. Special education and 504 students have accommodations for a reason. Know them and follow them. If we think a student doesn’t need certain accommodations, we must call a meeting to have them changed.

7. Document. Document. Document. When we talk to a parent, we must keep a log. Emails, written notes and other documents should be kept in a folder in case we need them at a later time.

8. A clear boundary between teacher and student must be established. Facebook, texting and other technological advances can dim the boundary line. We must be careful in our interactions with students so they and others don’t question our intentions or relationships.

9. Tutoring is part of our job. We must ensure that our students know our tutoring schedule and encourage them to attend.

10. If we want our school to be a place where students get the best education available and where they feel welcome, we must all work together to create that place.

Make it a great year.

One item of special note: This weekend, Aug. 21-23, is tax-free weekend in Texas. You can see a list of items included in this program at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html. I’d also like to remind parents of McAllen ISD high school students that school begins at 8:15 a.m. this year instead of 8 a.m. The final bell still rings at 4 p.m.

Chris Ardis is a teacher with the McAllen school district. To reach her, send e-mail to cardis1022@aol.com.