By Amelia Weber

Amelia Weber is vocal director at Platteville High School. She began her teaching career in September of 2004.

Once upon a time, someone wrote a book claiming that all useful human knowledge could be acquired from attending kindergarten. I completely agree with this statement, provided it be amended to also state, "Everything else I need to know I learned from my co-workers."

These amazing poets, scientists, and war historians have miraculously landed in the building where I work, and they are there every day, with loads of advice, warnings, and quips to spare. I can honestly say that tips from my colleagues led me to my apartment, my favorite restaurant, my doctor and the brand of milk I buy.

The knowledge and know-how of this "motley crew" increases my intelligence daily. In one 30-minute lunch, I have discussed planning for retirement, a flex account for my health insurance, and an awkward parent situation, all of which were resolved before I finished my apple cobbler. Not only do they have mountains of knowledge, but they have interesting lives outside of school, and families about which they often share. In learning about the lives of your co-workers outside of school, you truly know them as human beings, and are able to feel connected to them in a meaningful way.

When young teachers are thrown into new jobs in new locations, feeling comfortable can take time. I distinctly recall spending a day driving around Platteville with a map so that I would have some idea what "next to Mound City Park," "at the bottom of Main," and "up the hill from Dick's" really meant. Fortunately, I'm never shy for long, and soon I just started asking my colleagues questions. "Who do you bank with in town?" "How do I get to Lancaster High School ?" "Which hotel should I book when my parents come to town?" All of these questions and more were answered almost before I could get them out, and were answered with pleasure. After all, I reminded myself, these people are teachers.they make a living sharing what they know!

In addition to learning from our colleagues in a philosophical way, we must also recognize their support through physical proximity. Isolation from those with a common experience can paralyze young teachers. In college I was warned that music teachers are especially susceptible since we are often banished to the far corner of a building, where brass choirs, young singers, and beginning violin players are less intrusive. However, I have learned that in education, though our common goal of teaching children is the same, our subject areas, interests, and methods are drastically different!

Learn where your co-workers rooms are located, and visit them regularly. Poke your head in to say hello, and find out as much as you can about each class and teacher. In the "know-my-territory" process, students are a great place to begin, because not only will they tell me what they are doing in other classes, but they are usually happy to share what they think about the moments of the day they don't spend with me. (Disclaimer: More than one grain of salt may be needed for these student opinions!)

Once I get the initial impression from the students, I have a starting point with the teacher, making it easier to strike up a conversation about their area and what makes them motivated to teach it. A real life example: a student in my homeroom asks to go to the chemistry lab to work on the "chemis-tree." "What is that?" I ask. The student proceeds to describe how ornaments are made describing all of the elements and their properties, and are then hung on the chemistree. Now when I see our chemistry teacher, I can ask him how the tree is coming, and which element forms the star on top.

I will be the first to admit that as a teacher, I am curious about other areas of the school. I am an avid "hall-floater" whenever time grants me a precious free moment. I have been known to pop into the art room and watch the art teacher help students make pottery, or finish a painting. I am happy to visit an English class on the designated day that my choir students have groaned "We have to recite Hamlet!" I have even been spotted enjoying lunch at the restaurants hosted by the family and consumer education department. Not only do the students notice that I can exist outside of the choir room, but my colleagues appreciate the interest, and will often return the favor by attending a concert, evaluating a performance, or praising a soloist they have in algebra class.

I am fortunate to have friendships with several of my colleagues in the short time I have been in my current position. The students are always shocked to see a young female English teacher and I having coffee downtown, or to know that the ladies who co-direct the musical and I regularly attend the theater together. It is good for them to see their teachers working together as well as enjoying free time together.

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Posted February 13, 2006