I am entering year 31 in education, so I have certainly been around the block (a lot of blocks). But I believe that some teaching advice can and should apply to all educators—including new teachers like you and veterans like me. For guidance, I often turn to the wise words of Ted Lasso.
‘Be a goldfish’
Ted Lasso reminds his soccer (or “football,” as the Brits call it) team that goldfish are the happiest animals on Earth because they have a 10-second memory. Each day, you will make mistakes or find yourself thinking of ways you could have done something better. That can be overwhelming. You must move on to the next moment, next student, next class, next lesson. Greet them at the door with a smile even though your mind wants to analyze something you want to do differently next time. Monitor and adjust, yes, even on the fly—but don’t dwell on mistakes and paralyze yourself. Mistakes will happen.
Think this is smug advice from a veteran teacher? No way! My 30th year was one of the toughest of my career precisely because I fell into this way of thinking and felt that someone of my experience should never allow this to happen. Very toxic. Be a goldfish.
‘Be curious, not judgmental’
Ted Lasso invokes this Walt Whitman quote that’s all about balance. New teachers do not have to choose either the, “keep your mouth shut and listen,” or the, “monopolize the meeting so you are heard” extremes. Read the room; pick and choose the right times. Absolutely, keep your ears open when those with more experience are talking. But that does not mean every word applies 100 percent to you. And you have a lot to offer, or you would not have gotten the job. Be patient and contribute as occasions arise (and keep doing great work in your own classroom).
To this day, I remember my first team meeting as a brand-new teacher. A topic came up, and I saw my chance to speak with authority. It did not go over well, and that was on me for the poor timing and the arrogant delivery. My learned teammate provided me with an “adjustment.” She was older than me and spoke with a slow, Southern drawl: “We do not need you coming in here telling us how things are with your zero years of experience.”
Later, my mentor told me, “Yeah, don’t do that.” I needed to consider balance. But I also needed those veterans around me to be patient and coach me, not to silence me. They did, and soon I was able to contribute meaningfully and at the right times. For that, I am grateful. “Be curious, not judgmental” applies to all of us.
‘Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.’
Teaching is a challenge, and your first year can be especially so. Some will advise you just to focus on your teaching and not take on any extras … at all. I will suggest the opposite (within reason), even if it’s a bit uncomfortable. Join committees, volunteer for small tasks, get in “the room where it happens” as often as you can. You will meet people, form a positive impression, and often see doors open to you that you would never even have known existed.
‘I feel like we fell out of the lucky tree and hit every branch on the way down, ended up in a pool of cash and Sour Patch Kids.’
You are going to have bad days. I was given the finger by a student on my very first day of teaching, in 1993. You will recover. But you would not be here if you were not qualified, and you would not be here if you didn’t want to be. Like all teachers, you have the talent and ability to do many things as a career. You chose this. You are joining, as a colleague, a huge group of amazing humans. And we get to help a whole bunch of amazing, younger humans to learn, grow, and develop. You may not see the pool of cash, but I do hope you see the lucky tree.
‘We don’t not care. We care very much. We care about who you are and what you must have been going through. And from now on, you don’t have to go through it by yourself.’
This line is from a very powerful episode centering on acceptance and how we should be sure to show that. In teaching, not interfering with someone is oddly sometimes a way we convey that what they are doing is okay — as in, “we don’t care” if that’s what they choose to do and how they choose to do it. But as Ted points out, that’s not enough, because it may be perceived as unsupportive. There may be times when you feel isolated, so seek out those colleagues who make you feel seen and heard. Look for those marigolds. And consider your potential to be one of them, too.
‘I hope that either all of us or none of us are judged by the actions of our weakest moments, but rather by the strength we show when and if we’re given a second chance.’
This one. This one is for everyone: students, teachers, parents, custodians, office staff, and administrators. It goes nicely with remembering that everyone has battles they are fighting, some of which we know nothing about. Be kind and be available. You may not always be the person who can help, but you can always be the person who cares.
Finally, I hope you find a colleague who lifts you up like Ted Lasso does for his team. In his words, “You beating yourself up is like Woody Allen playing the clarinet. I don’t want to hear it.”
Good luck, remember to have fun, and thanks for being a teacher.
This story was first published by McGraw Hill, and has been slightly edited for clarity.
Dr. Steve Kucinski is a National Board Certified Teacher and has taught middle and high school English for more than 30 years. He has a bachelor’s in English education, a master’s in educational administration, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology and adolescent development from The Ohio State University. He is an adjunct lecturer there as well as at Ohio’s Otterbein University and Ashland University. Kucinski has taught at Dublin Coffman High School for 25 years, currently working with grades 9 and 11. Kucinski’s publications include a young adult novel, Between Friends, and a Barron’s Guide to the Ohio Graduation Test. Additionally, he delivered a 2016 TEDx Talk in Worthington, Ohio, entitled, “Resolve to Enjoy the Goodness and Beauty in Each Other and in Life.” Kucinski was selected as the District 7 Ohio Teacher of the Year for 2024.
