Calling All Bloggers: Submit Your New Teacher Blog Idea!

What if I told you there's a new teacher out there struggling who needs you -- would you share your story?

I remember my first year like it was yesterday. I accepted an interview for a permanent position on September 30th. I thought this was strange timing, given the new school year had just begun; however, to me, it was also serendipitous.

There was no question in my mind that I would take the chance to sit for an interview and teach a lesson to what would become my first class of students.

I was so excited to learn I would have a real job, I hardly took the time to wonder why several teachers left this position in the short month since the school opened its doors, or what it meant when a series of administrators and faculty characterized the group of sweet, cooperative adolescents I met as "challenging." In fact, it didn't even phase me that, after announcing what my new salary would be, my then-superintendent asked, "So, do you still want the job?"

I was the youngest teacher in my new department, the only woman, and I didn't know a single person in the school or the community. I would teach courses that didn't fall within my "area of expertise" and I had exactly two days to transform the chaos into some semblance of a supportive, nurturing classroom.

I imagine most teachers are introduced to the profession in a way that's less extreme; nevertheless, the tremendous pressure and responsibilities of teaching can make the first few years especially difficult.

We know that new teachers need support, and the Teaching Channel community is all about getting better together. We know that whether you're a new teacher, a mentor, or a master teacher, you have the strategies, resources, and experiences to share that will make a difference for teachers new to the profession. That's why we want you to join our Tchers' Voice blogger community, so you can share your voice and make an impact on teachers who need your advice and practical solutions.

Tch is seeking a variety of blog ideas, including practical tips, lessons learned, problems solved, resource lists, and strategies that work — all with a teacher new to the profession in mind.

We hope to touch on the issues new teachers face today, like time and classroom management, planning and organization, maintaining balance, hunting for resources, finding support and identifying mentors, building professional networks, building relationships with students, communicating with parents, differentiation, controversial topics, and many more.

So, send us your blog post ideas — there's nothing to lose! If we love it, the Tch Editorial Team will reach out to get you started as a Tchers' Voice Blogger.

We hope you're as excited as we are about the opportunity to continue getting better together!

Lisa Hollenbach is Editorial Content Manager for Teaching Channel. She’s a former high school Social Studies teacher and Department Chair, who has experience planning and implementing professional development with educational technology integration and innovation, and teaching and learning with the Literacy Design Collaborative framework. Lisa is also an adjunct professor, working with pre-service social studies teachers and behavioral science students at Lebanon Valley College and Pennsylvania State University, and serves as a mentor for the Teacher Leadership program at Mt. Holyoke College. She is passionate about storytelling, teacher voice and leadership, collaboration, innovative instruction, social learning, and redefining professional development. Lisa is a member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Teacher Advisory Council, several ECET2 Steering Committees, and is a Co-Founder, Director, and Writing Coach for the National Blogging Collaborative, a non-profit organization that cultivates and supports the capacity of all educators to use their unique voice to elevate the craft of teaching and learning. Connect with Lisa on Teaching Channel , on her blog, or on Twitter: @lisa_hollenbach.