Educators contribute to the profession. Educators honour the profession by supporting, mentoring or encouraging other educators and those preparing to enter the profession. It is commonly said that a lot of new teachers will experience burnout with their first five years. I believe that some of this could be negated by fostering a positive, safe, and encouraging work environment with our colleagues. I think that experienced teachers have an obligation to ensure that new teachers are setup for success and have the capacity to succeed. Having someone to vent to or just talk about their experience as a new teacher could go a long way in creating a healthy work environment. The unfortunate reality that I have experienced so far in schools is that there seems to be a lot of negativity shared in staff spaces. These spaces can become toxic for new teachers and I would advise them to find other places and staff to engage with if that is the case. Getting involved in clubs and after school events is also important, especially as a new teacher because it allows others to see you in a different light which can help build relationships with other staff. Students who might only see you in the classroom and who are struggling to connect with you might be able to better engage with you outside of the normal classroom setting. Clubs also allow our students to do the same thing and we might see them in situations that they are more comfortable in. My time at CHSS was enhanced because of the opportunity I had to volunteer my time with the debate society. In the future I plan on getting as involved in the school community as I possibly can. Sharing resources with new teachers can also benefit them and make their first few years easier. Reciprocal relationships like that are important to teachers because it can be a very isolating and lonely job at times.
