Hello, I'm a senior here in Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi and I was wondering what some of your experiences were as a first year teacher. Is there anything in particular, advice that you wish you were given in your first year of teaching that would have really helped you? Patricia

Hi, This is my 1st year teaching and I moved from New York City to Los Angeles, so it's a big change even if they are still cities. But I do understand, the first year is so stressful, you don't even really know if what you're doing is right, it takes a lot of practice. And it's okay to cry too...I know. I'll be an ePAL with you. -Diane 7/8 science teacher

Hi, how are things doing now? It sounds as if you teach a lot of classes. I am a student teacher and will soon be on my own. I'd love to be an ePAL if you are still looking for someone to chat with. I student teach several different classes for high school students with developmental disabilities and every day is creative! Hope things are well. Laura

Hola Eliane! soy Marta, de Madrid, España. Yo soy profesora de inglés, si quieres que nos comuniquemos en español escribeme a martitafs@epals.com Un saludo

Hi! I know how you are feeling. Sorry about my English not being that good, but hopefully you will understand some of it. I just started teaching 1st and 2nd grade two weeks ago. Never heard the expression shooting the moon, but YES that´s what it feels like. There are only 13 children in my class and I teach all subjects except music and PA. If you feel like writing me sometime, do so. It would be fun to hear from someone else in the same situation. From Kim in Sweden

Robin, you've got guts kid! NYC? from a small town in Mn? I earned my undergrad from one of the Suny Colleges in Buffalo and although I loved it there, reality set in when I went home after graduation. I left NY a year later and never looked back. I'm a veteran teacher of 26 years and let me tell you, the amount that I don't know would fill a very large book. If you're in this job, there's no turning back because you're in a job that tends to consume you. Don't be afraid to ask someone for help. I do and I've been in the business a long time. For the remainder of you younger teachers, try checking out the NY Times Learning Network. It can be reached through the NYTimes web site. It has lesson plans and ideas. Especially if you are teaching in a small town I imagine your supplies might be limited, certainly, you might not have a teacher supply store. Email me anytime. bcaplan721@epals.com Bev Caplan

Hi there Moneik, My name is Micki, I am a fairly new teacher as well. I am located in Manitoba, Canada, 10 minutes north of North Dakota. It's in the prairies, and although there are people here, it can be isolated too. It sounds like you have your work cut out for you. How many students do you have? How big is your school? How big is this town you are in? If you made it through your first year, you can make it through your 2nd! Write back if you want!

Soy profesora de español en Brasil. Soy brasileña y me gustaría mucho hablar con personas de otros países. Vivo en ciudad muy pequeña en el inteeior del país y doy clases para la secundaira. También entiendo u poquito de inglés.

Hi there. Well, like anybody else, I`d too say that it wasn't an easy experience as a first year of teaching. You sweat in front of the kids, your mouth will not cooperate of saying things you have prepared for thousands of times in front of the mirror, your legs won't move an inch because it`s shaking badly, your mind completely goes blank while looking at your students. Lots of people say that it`ll go away after a while but you feel always the same every single time you see those faces looking at you, wondering every words coming out of your mouth. Hmm...this is going to be my third year as an elementary teacher. I haven`t had a training nor education as a teacher before. I was a government employee taking care of statistics! I have no idea of teaching and its method whatsoever. It just went like that. Yes, I was shaking, sweating, nervous, you called it but after a word, the second sentences, it just went away. You drown into your world and theirs. Anyway, please feel free to cantact me if you have any questions or just want to share your feelings about teaching. Like Liverpool Football Club says... You`ll never walk alone... Jaka rachmadz@epals.com achmad.zakaria@gmail.com Indonesia

Hi Moneik, I am Mustafa from Turkey. I work as an English Teacher. I have been teaching for 2 years in Turkey. So, I haven't got enough exprience on teaching English. If you like, I can be ePALS with you. See you. Take Care Mustafa Gucer

Hi, my name is Paula. I'm not a first time teacher, but I don't mind being your ePAL. I teach at the other end of the spectrum (pre-kindergarten). But they are all the same. I too am in the USA, St. Louis to be exact. This is my first time using ePALS so I hope I don't forget how to use it. Paula

Oh my gosh, congratulations on your new job. I can totally understand that you feel alone. But look you're not. There are all of us out here with ePALS. I have taught 3-4 Gifted, 4th, 5th, 3-8th computers, and 2nd. I have only taught 14 years and I still feel like you. So Congratulations. Just going every day is a huge accomplishment! Kathleen in California.

Hi Rosanna. I am Spanish and also teaching English. Contact me and we will talk about our teaching experiences. And also any other teachers who want to know about teaching in Spain or just getting a new friend. Regards! martitafs@epals.com

Hi there! I'm an English teacher. I'm French. I would be delighted to chat with you and maybe we could forecast an exchange...in some time! That would be great! If interested, just contact me. I'll reply soon. Greetings, Anne Lise

Hi, my name is Rosanna and I'm teaching for the first year as well. I have 5 classes with students of 6 to 10 years old. Some days I think that teaching is not for me. I'm teaching them english as second language. We are in Italy and this is the first year that english is an obligatory subject in primary school. I would like to be your ePAL because I need your support as well. Write me soon and tell me more about your experience. Thanks for your time Rosanna