All of the Advice You Will Need as a First-Year Teacher

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!