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Veterans vs. Rookies...The Yin Yang of Teaching

Robin N. Llewellyn
Aug 23, 2016
2 min read

The day has finally arrived - first day of the 2016-2017 school year! The excitement of it all...and the anxiety of it all...whether you're a veteran teacher or a rookie, you have much to offer your colleagues. We often think of the veteran teachers as the ones who are able to provide insight and advice on what to teach, how to organize, ways to manage our classrooms, etc. And for good reason! Our seasoned veterans at PCMMS have much offer, given their experiences, so it's only understandable that we say, "Look to them!" However, this certainly doesn't mean rookie teachers (i.e. first year in the district, in our school, or in a career) have nothing to offer. On the contrary, both veteran and rookie teachers have much to contribute - both for co-workers, as well as from co-workers. As in Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces (the veteran and the rookie) may actually be complimentary, interconnected, and interdependent, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. If that's not the underlying foundation of relationship between veteran and rookie teachers, I don't know what is!

The following are ways in which you - whether a veteran or a rookie - can take advantage of the amazing staff we have at PCMMS:

Veterans

Your experience in the field of education provides great insight into what our rookie teachers can expect. Strategies, behavior plans, methodologies, organizational tactics, graphic organizers, bathroom passes, bell work...you've seen it all and in numerous different ways! What a great resource and testament...to know that no matter what this year brings, your confident steadfastness will be a strong pillar upon which those new teachers - who may feel a little anxious about any of the aforementioned aspects - can lean on. Lend an ear, give a hand, and know that your experience is helping to mold the awesome staff of PCMMS, which in turn will mold our student population.

Rookies

So you may be new, but don't count yourself out. Whether you're new to the district or just the middle school, you bring a bright, new perspective on teaching. You have an unbiased outlook on our students, can provide new strategies that our staff hasn't quite looked into yet, and can exude a new, fresh perspective and passion for teaching that we seasoned teachers can sometimes overlook. Be brave - offer your input, be confident in your suggestions, and know that your addition to PCMMS will benefit not only our students, but the well-roundedness of our staff, too.

Whatever your role at the middle school - a seasoned or a fresh addition - know that you are important to our everyday cohesiveness as one team. You are, as mentioned previously, the YIN YANG of PCMMS! And remember, our students will see you looking to and working with one another - what an awesome, easy way to show them how to work together, learn from and respect others, and represent in true Mustang fashion!