Replacing a well-liked teacher is never easy. Have you thought about how you would react to the hypothetical scenarios in the past few future teacher articles? Here’s some feedback from What Would You Do? Part 3 

Scenario

Your first job is one in which you replaced a popular elementary school teacher, who moved to the middle school. This teacher was loved and respected by everyone. There's occasional resentment about ways you handle the program. Students make statements like “That’s not the way Mr. James did it.”

• What can you do to establish yourself as the new teacher in town without causing further tension or negative comparison?

Ben Hanson shares the following insights:

1. Respect the way Mr. James ran the program when he was in charge. Let them know that Mr. James did a good job when he was here, but he has a new job, and you will be making different decisions than he did.
2. Allow students to express what they think, but kindly emphasize that you are in charge and will be making new decisions.
    

Derek Pulsifer says, “You can’t change everything your first year, or even your first 2 or 3. Move slowly by changing a few things here and there, but let the students have some comfort of familiarity … be respectful of Mr. James’s memory and never bad mouth him, even if he was a horrible teacher. Be matter-of-fact about different procedures that work for you.”

Maria Mangino says, “When you are a new teacher, it’s your class and you have the right to make changes and decisions. Students know who is older and has more experience; they will try to get you to back down, but be consistent, and students will understand.”

Read what other MENC members have posted about the scenarios on the future teacher forum. Post or e-mail any additional thoughts to Shauna Leavitt.

Read the other articles in this series.

What Would You Do? Part 1
What Would You Do? Part 2
What Would You Do? Part 3
What Would You Do? Part 4
What Would You Do? Tips for Field Trips

MENC Collegiate members quoted:

Ben Hanson is studying vocal music education at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. He hopes to pursue a job as a high school choral director.

Maria Mangino teaches General Music to students in grades K-8 at Hill Central School in New Haven, CT.

Derek Pulsifer teaches grades 5-12 band, choir, guitar, and general music in the Grand Coulee, Washington area.

--Shauna Leavitt, January 7, 2009, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education