Kamila - Everything a New Elementary School Teacher REALLY needs to know

Everything a New Elementary School Teacher REALLY needs to know

Otis Kriegal

Kriegal introduces his piece on Everything a New Elementary School Teacher REALLY needs to know ( but didn't learn in college) with a simple, but powerful opening statement " welcome to the front lines' which idyllically paints the picture of the warzone of activity and responsibility future teachers are gearing up for. Through Kriegal's adversity to fluff and educational jargon, he brings the reader on a refreshing and straight forward ride through the motions of teaching in his self-proclaimed travel guide.  Bluntly put, Kriegal addresses all the things a teacher truly needs to know in order to teach successfully. Kriegal divides the book into four separate foundational sections, starting with Before the School Year, During the school year, Your Students' Families, and Your Life as a Teacher to which he breaks down each with headings and topics relevant to each section. 

 In Before the School Year, Kriegal prepares teachers for the flurry of activity before students arrive by providing tips and tricks from his wealth of experienced knowledge tool belt. He establishes systems for managing the preparation, supplies, organization and logistics of an accessible classroom. He covers the basics of how to plan out the classroom; tables, cubbies and the relevance of the elusive teacher desk. Further, he gets down to the nitty-gritty of school culture by illuminating the important folks to establish relationships with. Kriegal outlines the importance of people such as the custodian and secretaries to establish genuine and reciprocated relationships with that will simplify your life as a teacher.
During the School Year, Kriegal summarizes his survival guidelines from how to deal with seat assignments all the way to surviving and enjoying field trips, and the multifaceted relationship with the principal. He casually alludes to the fact that although "your principal may seem intimidating and omnipotent, he needs your assistance and help too" (pg.137).
Kriegal identifies "Your Students Families" as a section of its own, as he believes it to be one of the cornerstones to successful teaching. Kriegal notes that "keeping parents involved in classroom life can be a struggle" (pg.156).  Along with a multitude of complexities that walk hand in hand with the parent-teacher relationship. He sets out his strategies for getting in touch and formulating professional relationships with parents, encouraging involvement along with a plethora of ways families can enhance or hinder, the learning environment.
His fourth section can be one of the most crucial to a teacher’s triumphs. Your life as a Teacher deals with managing the workload outside the classroom, balancing responsibilities and delegating time management. It is well known the countless hours teachers spend prepping for the next day, while taking on various responsibilities at school after hours. Kriegal mentions that "many teachers end up taking on job related responsibilities that extend far beyond the classroom, which though admirable, can burn you out" (pg.218). Further in the chapter, Kriegal states that on " any given day, you may feel like - or be called on to perform the job of a: social worker, therapist, nurse, friend, or parent" (pg 220) which clearly epitomizes the role of the teacher in the school community.

As a future educator, I personally found this book to be a hidden treasure. Kriegal outlines 226 pages of realistic strategies that new and experienced teachers alike can find useful. Throughout the chapters, Kriegal put in personal recollections of scenarios that occurred over his years of teaching to underline things he has adapted and changed for future situations. Kriegal covers aspects of the classroom that almost seem distant, such as “The new kid” which he outlines the common mistakes and preparation tools of integrating a new student into the classroom environment. He casually mentions as a side note to immediately get into contact with the new students family, an aspect that is commonly put aside. I absolutely appreciate every detail Kriegal covers in his text, as “the new kid” because there are so many aspects of the classroom and relationships that even I failed to consider.

 However, as a first year student focusing on Physical Education and the dynamics of the gymnasium, Kriegal’s guidance through actual classroom subtleties had little relevance to my focal point. I would have loved more input on his views on Physical Education from his vast years of experience teaching rather than his short paragraph casually mentioning it.  He does cover a tremendous amount regarding relationships with students, staff and parents which is the foundation to the teaching profession.  On pages 29 he covers the big four people it’s important to get to know and appreciate, which I believe to be a great introduction to the school culture. Of course, Kriegal discusses what he knows best, and like any future physical education teacher, adapting and grasping aspects of the book to make relevant to my own experience can be the key to success.

Most important of all, I found that Kriegal advice on how teachers can truly maintain a balanced lifestyle outside the classroom in order to stay healthy and functional throughout the school year to be one of the most precious aspects in the book. Oftentimes, a teacher’s personal life during the school year seems to be nonexistent and almost ignored to an extent. Thus, I can truly appreciate his strategies.

Overall, this book is a great resource that can be utilized as both a checklist and manual throughout the teaching year, especially for new and future teachers.