Winter 2019 Destination: Retirement '77 Fund, JRS, PARF, EG&C

INDIANA PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEM
RETIREMENT
WINTER 2019
DESTINATION:
EARLY STARTER – THE LIFE OF A NEW AND EAGER TEACHER
Starting your first adult job can
be exciting, yet frightening! Meet Robin Glicksburg, a
TRF member and a first-year educator who knew at the age of 11 that she wanted
to teach. Robin teaches language and literature at Westlane Middle School. As a first-year teacher, managing four class periods, teacher meetings and a planning period can be a lot to take in. But Robin keeps motivated by
remembering her purpose: her students.
Starting your first adult
job can be exciting, yet frightening! Meet Robin Glicksburg, a TRF member and a first-year educator
who knew at the age of 11 that she wanted to teach. Robin teaches language
and literature at Westlane Middle School. As a first-year teacher, managing four class periods, teacher meetings and a planning period can be a lot to take in. But Robin keeps motivated by remembering her purpose: her students.
If Robin had to share advice to a fellow first-year teacher or to a soon-to-be first-year teacher, it would be this: “Don’t underestimate the challenge of this career path. When you are a first-year teacher, it’s a fresh start. The lesson plans are new and
you have to spend a lot of time outside the classroom to prepare for what’s ahead.” Not only is Robin tackling time management as a first-year teacher, she’s also managing how she spends her money. She is always thinking of creative ways
to save money since many teachers have to spend their own money to supply their classrooms.
“For my classroom, I follow
a pencil checkout list. When my students need to borrow a pencil, they have to give
me something of theirs as collateral. That way, they remember to give me back the pencil and I don’t have to worry about supplying pencils every day. I also seek out associations or organizations that support teachers with supplies. Teachers Treasures is a great nonprofit that allows teachers in the
Washington Township area receive a certain amount
of items for free. Once a month I go in and pick up folders, pencils, crayons, dry erase markers and more. What’s even better is that people donate these items, which shows how much
the community values their teachers.”
Middle school teachers have a special opportunity to impact their students. During this “awkward phase” of
a student’s life, they are trying learn who they are in this world and where they exactly fit in. Robin uses this opportunity to give
her students’ the skills and confidence they need to survive middle school. Every school day, Robin’s motive is to be a solid figure to her students as they prosper and grow.
For all working '77 Fund, Judges' Retirement System, PARF and Excise, Gaming and Conservation Fund members.