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Preparing for a new school year can be exciting and overwhelming, even for teachers. There are many factors to take into consideration to make sure each new year will be successful. Teachers put time and effort into being organized, setting routines from day one, and keeping the lines of communication open with both students and families.
ISD 166 Fourth Grade teacher, Scott Steinbach, who will be starting his 30th year of teaching this upcoming school year, is one of those teachers. Mr. Steinbach will working alongside other teachers in both 4th and 5th grade this fall and shared, “I never tire of seeing the kids’ energy and excitement being in class…along with seeing the students’ lightbulbs go on when they learn something.”
September is always a busy time to look forward to; as teachers get to plan fun, memorable lessons, activities, and experiences for their students. Mr. Steinbach shared some of his thoughts for this upcoming school year.
What are your goals in setting up for a productive school year? “I believe in having things organized. I think through the first week and have everything needed to set the tone for the year. After that, things seem to flow much more smoothly.”
What are some tips for new teachers? “Organize your room or workspace the way you see the students working best in it. Think through the procedural things. Be ready to practice them with the students. Plan for more than you think you can accomplish. Things sometimes go faster than anticipated.”
What changes or obstacles may come into play due to covid, mandates, restrictions, etc. How will you meet these challenges? “Masks, distancing, and other factors will be items of interest again this school year. Whatever the final decision is, be ready to establish the norm with regards to them.”
What is your favorite back to school ritual or tradition for yourself or your students? “Discussing with the class the importance of 4th grade. Showing the class how much we will learn and the enjoyment we get from our learning. Learning can be hard work, but the feeling of accomplishment when we learn something new is a great feeling.”
What are you most excited for your students to know about you or the upcoming school year? “Learning is exciting and with a little effort, we can all obtain any new knowledge we want. Along the learning path, we will have some fun figuring things out in our own way.”
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