When I got the call for my first teaching job, I was so excited that I cried in the middle of my summer job at the pool. I knew I was ready to become a teacher, after years of working with kids, two student teaching internships, and a Pinterest board full of ideas. But when I first stepped into training, my head began to swarm with all these new responsibilities. I wished I had some support or advice for that first year of teaching. It was so hard trying to remember everything I had to do- check AR, take attendance, tie this kidβs shoe, submit lesson plans on time, write the objective before each lesson, grade papers, keep up with data binders, parent emails, staff meetings, the list went on!
The first month was a blur and then I was up to my head in all the teaching responsibilities. I became very frustrated at school because I was having to stay late at school, grade on weekends, and thought about my students 24/7. It felt like I never got a break. But, the year got better, I started to get in the swing of things, and soon teaching became like second nature. Here are my tips first year teaching tips to help you get to that point faster.
I could go on and on about the difference positivity makes in your teaching career. Remember how I felt the first few months of my first year? Keeping a positive outlook and mindset was the main thing that got me through that year (and wine helped tooβ¦).
Surround yourself with like-minded positive teachers, who lift each other up instead of bringing each other down. They donβt even have to be in your grade level or subject area. If you are around positive people, you will be more positive. There are always going to be negative teachers, administration, and parents. If you radiate positivity and a good attitude, you just may βrubβ off on them. Positivity makes a difference!
This one may sound clichΓ©, but building relationships with your students, their parents, administration, and other teachers is SO important!
Donβt be afraid to seek out help from other teachers or administration. I know it was hard for me to ask others for help because I always felt like I had something to prove my first year of teaching. Once I became close with the other teachers on my team, I always had someone to vent to, share ideas, and just talk with.
You might not get along with everyone, and thatβs okay! But just remember the first tip- be positive and try to find ways to connect with them, even if you just share a favorite food or music style!
Building relationships with the studentβs parents makes a difference as well. I know my first year (and every year after, letβs be honest- I look like Iβm 22 still), the parents seemed a little worried because I was so young. One Grandma who came in for Meet the Teacher asked me, βWhereβs the teacher?β because she thought I was an assistant or someoneβs older sibling. They couldnβt believe I was only 22 years old!
I made sure to build positive relationships with the parents by sending home newsletters, happy notes, positive phone calls, and friendly chatting when I saw them in the hallway. The parents werenβt so worried about me being young as the year went on.
The relationship with your students can kind of be tricky. The main key is to base your relationship on respect. If you show them that you respect them, they will respect you back. In my first year, I was too lenient with my students because I wanted them to like me. As the year went on, their behavior got worse, as did my classroom management. Trust me, they will like you even if they get in trouble sometimes. I set strict standards and am not wishy-washy when it comes to my classroom expectations. However, I still have fun, make them laugh, do the Go Noodles with them, and even play with them on the playground sometimes (well, maybe not when itβs 100 degrees).
One of my students told me that her favorite day was the day I swung on the swings next to her and we sang a Taylor Swift song. Every Monday morning, we take turns sharing something fun we did over the weekend. Getting to know your students and learning more about them helps you build trust and respect with them.
During my first year of teaching, I had a college friend do some observation hours in my classroom. One particular day, she happened to see my worst day of my entire year (or even my career) teaching. Seriously, I was captain of the Hot Mess Express that day. It was one crisis after another- canceled specials, failed lessons, technology issues, constant disruptions, tears, and throw up (twice!) I was about to cry myself!
I remember thinking how awful of a teacher she must think I am, that I have no clue what I am doing, and thereβs no way she learned anything today. At the end of the day, I apologized for my no good, very bad, horrible day, but she was thankful. She knew her first year would be anything but perfect. Watching a first-year teacher made her realize that her first year teaching was not going to be like her other observations, where everything ran smoothly. It gave her a more realistic picture than the other teachers she had observed. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is realize your first year of teaching won’t be perfect.
Donβt compare yourselves to other teachers, especially veterans. I remember doing observations/student teaching, thinking “this is easy”. It is a whole other world when itβs just you in front of the classroom.
Going into my first year, I was constantly comparing myself to other teachers, thinking βWhy canβt my class look like that in line?β, βWhy arenβt my students reading at grade level like that teacher?β βWhy canβt I think of lessons like that teacher?β, βHow does that teacher leave at 3:00 every day?β
Rather than comparing, try to observe other teachers- watch their classroom management techniques and try it in your room. Ask an experienced teacher to come in your classroom and walk you through it, decide on procedures, help you organize, and give you tips for your first year of teaching. I did this my second year and it really helped. The teacher asked what everything in the classroom was used for, talked me through procedures, and helped organize my paper flow (things to be graded, copied, sent home, filed, etc).
I know you did a lot of observations as a college student/student teaching, but having your own class is different. If youβre still in college, make sure one of your observations is a first-year teacher. It gives you a realistic picture of what your first year will be like, rather than observing a veteran teacher whoβs got it down. This is also a great source for advice from a real first-year teacher who is going through the same struggles you may have.
My first year I spent way too much time on little things that donβt matter. I wasted so much valuable classroom time. While you are getting your first classroom-ready, donβt spend all your time making crate seats, copying that perfect bulletin board on Pinterest, or trying to create a TPT-worthy worksheet.
Just focus on making a happy classroom, where students love to come in and learn something new every day. I hardly remember what my classrooms looked like growing up, but I do remember what I learned and how my teachers treated me.
One of the best tips I got my first year teaching was to use a timer. Use it when students are in your room and when they are not. Timers are especially helpful during centers so that you don’t lose track of time and run out.
Also, when you are working on a bulletin board or lesson planning, use a timer so that you don’t spend too much time on one thing. Make a to-do list, budget your time per task, and get to work. If I am trying to get something done, I make sure I have no distractions (lock your door, no cell phone, no eating) and just do it. I have an entire blog post on how you can be a more organized teacher and use your time wisely.
Sometimes, it is better to just let things go. If a lesson does not turn out the way you envisioned it in your head, it’s okay. If an observation goes awry, that’s okay too! Don’t spend all your time worrying about every little detail. Try to focus, instead, on the bigger picture: Are my students learning what they need to? The main tips anyone will give you about your first year teaching is to focus on the positives but learn from the negatives.
Nothing will ever go exactly as you had planned. Don’t stress out too much over messed up lessons, chaotic centers, upset kids, bad test scores. Just let it go! You cannot control everything in your classroom, but the difference is how you handle it. There will be good days. There will be bad days. There will be days where you go home, change into your pajamas, and eat ice cream for dinner. There will be days where you almost start crying because you are just so proud of your students. Let go of the bad days and remember the good ones.
I hope you have a great first year teaching with my tips! You are ready to teach, you’ve prepared as much as you can, so enjoy this year; it’s one you will never forget!
