I still get nervous butterflies thinking back to last summer when I was preparing for my dream job as an elementary teacher! I felt extremely excited to create my own classroom, but I was terrified because I didn’t know where to start.
So if you’re in the same boat and looking for some advice, I’ve got you covered! Here are the best pieces of advice I received when I began my journey as a first year teacher.
I hope you find some things that resonate with you! You are going to have a great year, my friend!
Beginning of the Year
- “Pretend you are an under-paid actress.”
- “One thing, one moment, one breath, one step at a time.”
- “You can always loosen up, but it’s hard to get tough after being laid back.”
- “You were hired because you are READY!”
- “Don’t be afraid to ask for help!”
- “Know you might try a procedure, you might not like it, and have to revamp it. That’s OKAY! Know you might cry, that’s OKAY!”
- “Be very consistent, down to where you stand.”
- “Don’t let your first year define you as a teacher. Expect to make mistakes. Own mistakes. Apologize if needed. Don’t let mistakes define you.”
- “Start firm on day one or you will never have control. It is very hard to get that back.”
- “Have a list of consequences ready before the first day so you know how to respond to undesirable behavior.”
- “Your first year is about learning your teaching style, procedure, and organizational preferences. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
- “No one expects you to be an expert on day one.”
- “What’s ahead will not be perfect, but the journey will be worth it.”
Students
- “Teach them how to think, not what to think.”
- “Remember you have a career because of who is sitting in front of you. It’s all about them.”
- “Focus on forming meaningful relationships with your students.”
- “Model respect, even when they don’t deserve it.”
- “Give kids the benefit of the doubt.”
- ” Be prepared for some heartache when it comes to students. Keep your sense of humor. Know your limits.”
- “Be a real person, but not their BFF.”
- “Relationships are most important.”
- “Go with your gut. Don’t be afraid to make real decisions about your classroom and what happens there.”
- “Be you! You’re human, kids love that!”
- “Classroom management is not what you say, it’s what you allow.”
- “Teachers don’t ‘give,’ students earn.”
- “Follow through with what you say you are going to do.”
- “Don’t play favorites.”
- “Give busy kids extra love! Create a bond with them so they trust you. Know what sets them off so you both have a great year.”
After School Hours
- “You don’t have to grade everything you assign. Know when to read it all, when to skim, and what File 13 is for.”
- “Limit your time at work and taking work home. You will never get everything done. Choose what’s most important and go from there.”
- “Think smarter, not harder! It’s okay to smiley face some things and participation points are okay every now and then!”
- “It will be there tomorrow.”
- “Take time to take pictures and notes on what you do. The years will go by fast and you will want to remember!”
- “Enjoy your time off. Don’t work on breaks unless it’s something you are passionate about.”
- “Address emails and messages quickly!”
- “Spend time taking care of you, you can’t pour from an empty cup!”
On Hard Days
- “Be kind and forgiving to yourself. It’s okay if you’re not perfect. Just remind yourself you are doing your very best.”
- “Stay home when sick and send sick kids home.”
- “Try not to take things personally.”
- “You teach people/students how to treat you. Give yourself time and grace to mess up and try again. Teaching is an art and you will never truly ‘arrive.'”
- “Remember they are just kids. Some of them need you there everyday because you are the only constant in their lives.”
- “It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to struggle. You are a great teacher. You are qualified. You have a gift and you are talented.”
- “Don’t ever let anyone make you feel less than awesome.”
- “Enjoy your students! Remember to take care of yourself.”
- “Learn to let things go!”
- “Every mistake is an opportunity to learn and get better.”
- “It is okay to cry when you need to cry.”
- “Don’t let what one class did ruin your whole day.”
- “You are doing great. You will get better. You are enough.”
- “There will be tough times, remember why you started.”
- ” Try to stay focused on the big picture. Don’t let tiny details overwhelm you.”
- “It gets easier each year.”
Coworkers
- “It is up to you to make connections in your school and school district. Start with the secretaries and custodians. Know their names and say hello!”
- “Be good to the office and cleaning staff. Have a supply of GOOD chocolate ready.”
- “Remember you are the newbie, don’t overstep.”
- “Make a big list of questions and ask until you find the staff member with the right answers.”
- “Get out of your classroom on break/lunch.”
- “Do NOT let people walk all over you because you are young and inexperienced.”
- “Don’t let the discouragement of others bring you down.”
- “Learn to say no. Don’t feel like you have to do it all.”
- “Become friendly with the secretaries and janitor. Treat them with immense respect. They can make or break your career.”
- “Don’t engage in gossip or hang out with those who do.”
Good to Remember
- “There is not a prize or trophy for being the first car or the last car in the parking lot. It is totally okay to leave when your contract time is up.”
- “Don’t take meanness personally, but do take kindness personally.”
- “Don’t be hard on yourself. Don’t listen to those who expect you to have the same skills as a multi-year teacher.”
- “Document everything.”
- ” Encourage a mentor teacher to give you all the gentle advice they need and take note.”
- “Be prepared to get sick.”
- “Kids learn best from an authentic person that loves them. Just have fun!”
- “Be ready for constant change.”
- “Know what your students are good at and what they are not.”
- “Be aware that kids have a huge focus on what is fair.”
- “Find joy in the normal.”
- “Confidence is key. Get out of your comfort zone!”
- “It is okay to be wrong and mess up. I have always learned more from being wrong than being right.”
- “Things will come up that you are not prepared for and that’s okay.”
- “Use your personal days!”
- “Don’t worry about having a Pinterest perfect classroom! Focus on the standards!”
- “Make sure to record memorable moments!”
I hope you found some things that resonate with you! You are going to have a great year, my friend!
