NYSUT's 575,000 members report to a variety of jobs carrying an array of titles, but all have one thing in common - they remember well the nervousness of their first days on the job.

"There was a little bit of a honeymoon period, but it didn't last long," joked Mike Moffre, an experienced middle-level math teacher and member of the Maplewood Teachers Association in Albany County, led by Bonny Einstein.

This fall, thousands of new teachers, school-related professionals and health care workers across the state are settling in at new jobs, striving diligently to be successful. For those union members who will be classroom-based, such as teachers and teaching assistants, Moffre offers the following advice, based on his experiences:

• Make good use of your mentor: Many new teachers and SRPs are embarrassed to admit they don't know something and do not make enough use of assigned mentors. Big mistake. "My mentor really helped me adjust and get used to all of the extra duties that come with teaching," said Moffre.
  
• Get advice from colleagues on planning: It can be difficult to find enough hours in the day to create and execute all the lessons you want. Moffre said the key to avoiding frustration is to seek advice from union colleagues. After all, they have been in your shoes before.
  
• Remember that you are an educator, not Superman: "You can never be prepared for everything that can happen in a classroom," Moffre said. New teaching assistants and teachers often have unreasonable expectations of themselves and are too hard on themselves when the unexpected hits.
  
• Routine and culture are everything: Set the tone for your classroom early, and establish routines and ground rules, Moffre advises. "Laying out expectations is important," Moffre said. "Kids need that."

NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue, who taught in Hilton schools in Monroe County for 30 years, advises new members to keep in mind the excellent support structure they have through their local unions and through NYSUT.

Many locals offer year-round training and support for new members and professional development opportunities throughout the year. NYSUT offers videoconference workshops on certification issues and even has a Social Services Department members can call if they feel they need help coping with the emotional strain that can come with a new job.

"New members should always remember that their union colleagues are deeply committed to their success," Donahue said. "NYSUT and its local unions have spent decades building up a thorough support network for new members and we really encourage everyone to make full use of these services."

- Kevin Hart