Being a new kid can be tough, but being a new teacher can be even more challenging. We asked all the new teachers to reflect on this year. Here are their answers.
Have you taught in a school besides BB&N?
Loud: I taught at Northfield Mount Hermon during the summer before BBN, but that's the only one!
Moyo: Yes, Laurence Academy in Groton, for 7 years.
Magner: Yes! For eleven years, I taught at a school in Maryland 20 minutes outside of Washington, DC.
Selover: I have! BB&N is my 5th school. I've taught in both public and independent schools in NJ, MA, CA, and CO.
Have you liked your year so far?
Loud: I've had a lot of fun this year and met a lot of great people. I've been very appreciative of the supportive and open environment here.
Moyo: It's been great and there has been a lot of learning going from high school to middle school curriculum. But I enjoy the learning process like learning how to deliver things one way or the other with the same standard.
Magner: I have had a great year so far. I am so grateful to have joined such a wonderful community.
Selover: I have had the best first year at BB&N! My students are smart and thoughtful and I'm lucky to teach with colleagues who inspire me.
What is one thing you wish you had known when the year started?
Loud: Something I wish I knew before the year started would be how to work the projectors in the science classroom. It had to be a quick learning curve to figure them out.
Moyo: I wish I knew it was all going to be okay. We live in a world with a lot of pressures to perform and just taking those pressures off and saying everything is going to be okay is important. And also, learning to live within the moment.
Magner: I wish I would have known how kind and supportive this community was. I had a lot of questions when I first started and I wish I knew not to hesitate to ask them as everyone here is willing to help!
Selover: Just how quickly it would go! How is it May already?
What is the most important thing you learned?
Loud: The most important thing I've learned has probably been how to flow with the flow of BBN… from our schedule changes to making it to the bus on time for sports!
Moyo: The most important thing I learned is about human connections and how important it is to connect with people on a human level, not just as the identifiers placed on humans. I look at people not as students but as people. And patience, I have learned patience and how one student performs is different from another and while the expectation is that everyone is excelling it isn't that way.
Magner: To ask for help when you need it!
Selover: There are so many ways of teaching and learning well. BB&N is different from any other school where I've taught and I value the perspective that comes with adapting to a new environment. Change is a good thing!
If you could change anything would you?
Loud: I don't know if I would change anything... you have to make mistakes to learn!
Moyo: No, I loved every single bit of it. It mirrors what life is all about, coming into a space making relationships with people you don't know, creating them and establishing them, and trying not to step on others’ feet. Learning how to work with people on a personal level. There is nothing I would change about this year
Magner: About BB&N? Maybe just the air conditioning on the second floor ;) Jokes aside, I love it here and wouldn’t change a thing!
Selover: Maybe a personal espresso machine for my office? Or air conditioning for my classroom? Aside from that, nothing!