Advice for New Teachers, from a First-Year Teacher
I wish someone would have told me these things when I started teaching.
Starting a career in teaching can be both exciting and daunting. With so much to learn and many challenges to face, it’s easy to feel you’re over your head. But don’t be afraid!
As a rookie educator, eight months into my third grade teaching career, I know what it’s like to be a new teacher. I can relate to your situation and understand what it’s like to start fresh.
Here are eight pieces of advice I wish someone had given me when I started in August to help me establish a foundation for success, not just survival, during my first year as a teacher.
1. BE PREPARED, BUT ALSO BE FLEXIBLE
Being prepared is key, but don’t be afraid to switch it up at a moment’s notice. I learned this the hard way with lesson plans. Having a roadmap keeps things organized, but you gotta be ready to ditch the highway for a scenic detour if your students need it.
2. USE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Positive reinforcement has been one of the biggest game-changers for my third graders. To create a positive learning environment, I’ve shifted my focus from correcting negative behavior to praising students who follow directions.
3. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR STUDENTS
The thing is, relationships with kids blossom organically over time, especially when you’re practically their other parent for part of the day. Instead of pushing for instant best-friend status, I’ve learned to focus on creating a positive and engaging environment. So throw in a fun activity, have silly conversations, and make some memories together! Those bonds will naturally flourish.
4. SET BOUNDARIES AND EXPECTATIONS
Let’s be real: you can’t always be the fun teacher. Disruptive behavior needs consequences, but sticking to them can be challenging, particularly in your first year.
The last thing I want is to be the “bad guy” by taking away recess, but I also know — if I say it, I gotta do it. Consistency is key!
Adding to the juggling act, I did not anticipate needing to learn your school’s established norms alongside implementing my own ideas for routines and expectations. It’s a lot to take in during that first year! But hey, that’s how you grow as a teacher, right?
5. MANAGE CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS WITH EMPATHY FOR STUDENTS AND YOURSELF
The biggest challenge for me this year has definitely been classroom management. Every teacher faces it, and I hear it changes every year with a new group of kids. It hasn’t been easy to navigate — especially with eight- and nine-year-olds with big emotions. But the most important thing I’ve learned is just to be kind–to my students and myself.
6. COLLABORATE WITH COLLEAGUES
Being a first-year teacher can be intense, but luckily I found another newbie also named Jenna (yes, really!) on my team. We constantly check in with each other, freaking out about tests and admitting our anxieties. It’s a relief to ditch the perfect facade and know we’re in this together!
7. PRIORITIZE YOUR WORKLOAD
Repeat after me: not every worksheet needs grading. If you’re required to have at least ten grades in your grade book by the end of the term, you don’t need to put in twenty. It’s okay to let students complete activities for practice, not just points. You also don’t need to turn around grades overnight.
8. TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
When I stood before the calendar at the beginning of the school year, panic surged: ten months felt like too little time to cram everything in! But six months later, a deep breath and a day-by-day approach have proven surprisingly effective. Sure, I haven’t tackled everything, but I’ve covered enough.
That’s why the biggest thing I wish I had known as a brand new teacher was to have a stronger dose of self-belief at the start. It sounds cliché, but I doubted myself even with a degree and license. Instead, I should’ve focused on the present: “Okay, it’s Monday. I can get through Monday. Tuesday will be Tuesday’s problem.”
So, my advice to new teachers is simple: believe in yourself. You’re a professional, and you’ve got this.
This originally appeared on Carnegie Learning’s blog.
