9.      You’re cheap – As I was standing in the hallway, watching my students enter my classroom on my first day of school, I looked at a veteran teacher standing at her door across the hall.  My hands were clammy, my breathing was shallow and fast, and the anti-perspirant I had applied earlier in the morning was getting a workout.  The veteran teacher, of course, was calm and pleasant as she greeted each student.  I needed a veteran’s opinion, so I asked her a question before I entered my room.  “Do I look like this is my first day?”, I asked.  “Yes”, was her reply as she turned to enter her room, “But don’t worry, young fella…we are going to do everything we can to make sure you are successful.  You are, after all, at the bottom of the pay scale.”  She winked and chuckled as she shut her door. 

    As I look back years later, I realize that what she said was funny, a bit cruel, but absolutely true.  No teacher in the building is making less money than you.  You will receive the least amount of pay, but probably put forth the most effort.  Everyone in the building (including the administrators) was a first-year teacher, and they remember what a bargain they were to their district.  They see you as a bargain as well.  Use that to your advantage by putting forth your best effort each day, and don’t complain about the pay!  If you got into the educational profession to become rich, you must have misread the brochure.  You got into teaching to make a difference in kids’ lives…so do it with a happy heart!