The inaugural year of teaching is an exhilarating period, brimming with numerous firsts and cherished memories that will accompany you throughout your professional journey. However, it can also be quite daunting, regardless of how ready you believe you are. Even those with years of teaching experience can’t escape the pre-school butterflies.
To bolster your confidence as you venture into the initial weeks and beyond, we gathered insights from our network of educators. Dive in to discover their wisdom.
9 Pearls of Wisdom for Rookie Teachers Presenting nine priceless pointers for those embarking on their teaching journey, sourced from seasoned educators who’ve been in your position.
- Prioritize Connections. Sara Weaver emphasizes, “Forge bonds with your students upfront.” She often quotes, “Connect before you correct.”
Investing in fostering a warm and welcoming ambiance from the outset can set the stage for students’ success. Begin with these start-of-the-year activities.
- Structure Your Classroom Flow. While many newbies focus on classroom aesthetics, it’s crucial to establish systematic routines. Stephanie Yi of Math With Ms Yi has designed a guide detailing the classroom protocols she wants her students to adopt, such as entering the class or submitting assignments.
Stephanie mentions, “This guide assists me in streamlining my daily operations. It also encourages me to inquire about the school’s general practices and norms.” Access Stephanie’s resource here.
- Be Ready with Classroom Discipline Strategies. Having delineated your routines, now ponder over the management tactics. Carina B. advises having a structured plan from day one.
Carina reassures, “If you’re uncertain about structuring this, fret not.” There are myriad resources on TPT that can guide you. Nancy Chung of FancyNancyin5th provides a unique angle with a classroom economy system, stating, “It was a game-changer for me both as a tool for imparting financial literacy and as a positive reinforcement method.”
Students earn rewards for good behavior which they can exchange for benefits like homework exemptions or special prizes. Access Nancy’s template for this system here.
- Avoid Over-complicating Things. During the initial teaching phase, the pressure to generate numerous resources might get intense. However, many have trodden this path before, leaving a trail of tried-and-tested tools.
Fletcher Nelson of Third Grade Swag notes, “Avoid over-engineering. Numerous stellar teacher-made resources await you, promising massive time savings.”
Rory Yakubov of iteachalgebra also encourages using pre-made resources. She deploys math anchor charts for the academic year, gradually completing them with students.
- Always Possess a Plan B. Lessons might not always proceed as envisioned. Being equipped with an alternate plan is vital. Gabby Roma recalls countless instances when she had to swiftly adapt. “Having spare activities was indeed a blessing,” she mentions.
- Master Time-Efficient Practices. Time is of the essence for educators. As a novice, tasks might seem time-consuming, underscoring efficient time management. Brittany Washburn advises, “Avoid marking everything. Resort to digital platforms like Easel by TPT.”
Kathleen of Miss Crafty Math Teacher has a tip too: delegate the calendar update task to students. This ensures the date remains current and gives you extra minutes to concentrate elsewhere. Obtain your calendar tool here.
- Establish and Adhere to Boundaries. The elusive work-life equilibrium might seem hard in year one, but setting boundaries early on can prevent exhaustion down the line. The boundary dynamics vary for each teacher. Discover what resonates with you. Delve into these teacher-centric balance strategies.
- Draw from the Experience of Peers. Engage with fellow educators. They’re reservoirs of expertise. Initiate conversations, observe their classrooms, or connect online. Tanya G Marshall of The Butterfly Teacher suggests, “Secure a seasoned teacher as a guide and a close colleague to share your experiences.”
- Relish the Experience. If the quest for perfection overwhelms you, Kasi Martin reminds, “This year isn’t the sole yardstick of your capability.” Instead of striving for flawlessness, concentrate on evolving and cherishing the ride.
Claudia Londono beautifully encapsulates, “Document memories. Your inaugural batch of students will always be close to your heart.”
