Dear New Teachers,
If you are in your first three years teaching, this letter is to you. Or if you just want some support and encouragement. One, welcome to the profession! We desperately need passionate, dedicated teachers in our classrooms.
I was in your shoes not too long ago. While I still don’t have everything figured out, I want to share what I’ve learned with you. I also asked my team (who I could seriously write an entire post about just to brag on them) what they would tell their first-year teacher selves. Combined, my team has about 80+ years of experience in the classroom. They are some of the finest educators I’ve ever met and I’m excited to share some of their wisdom with you.
When I got my first teaching job, I was THRILLED. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was six years old, so when the day came that I was given my own classroom, I was ready. Or, I thought I was ready. I really didn’t know what I didn’t know. There are so many things to figure out on top of just getting a classroom ready. I didn’t even know where to start.
- My first year teaching, 2016 Look at that starry-eyed baby face.
Now, as I enter my 6th year in the classroom, I have a list of procedures and organizational systems I like to reconsider and plan out at the beginning of each year. I finally typed it all up and have it in my TPT store for free. It can be found here Procedures Checklist by AKA Miss Wells | Teachers Pay Teachers
The thing that will set your school year up for success is to plan your procedures out thoroughly before the first day. You may have to change some of your ideas based on your class, and that’s ok. But you want to come in prepared for everything. I’ve learned that if you aren’t completely explicit with how you want things done, kids are going to do them in their own way and chaos can ensue over the smallest thing. If you don’t flat out explain that you cannot write on classroom furniture or supplies, kids will write on them. If you don’t explain NOT to put a pack of paper towels in the sink, someone will do it. Be overly specific. Trust me.
With each year, I’ve worked to find the procedures that work well for me. There’s 20 ways you can handle supplies and none of them are wrong. You just have to find what works best for you. Read some blogs, search Pinterest, check Instagram and see what process catches your eye for a needed routine. Find a good procedures checklist. You are welcome to use mine (which includes a list of 73 procedures to find a method for) or check out others on TPT or Pinterest. Take notes on each of those procedures and how you want it to work. Be detailed so you can look at those notes on the first day when you get a little nervous. (I still get a little nervous on the first day.)
When it comes to classroom setup, don’t stress about making it “Instagram perfect”. Don’t spend thousands of dollars on your room. Because the truth is, you’re probably going to redo things multiple times within your first few years and you don’t want to constantly spend a ton of money on your room. Just make it functional and add things along the way.
Find organizational methods that work best for you. Organization helps things run so much more smoothly! I consider myself like a type A-. I am particular about organization but sometimes it just falls apart. The Covid year forced me to get it together and I finally found systems that work and my life was much easier.
I graded papers every day before leaving and entered those grades. I only stayed an extra 20 minutes after students left to get this done. Oh my word. I’m mad at myself for not always doing this. Before I would avoid it until I would have to spend an entire Saturday grading. Now, if I had something big to grade, I would do that during planning over a couple days. What really made this simple is using a turn in folder and having a student collect that at the end of the day and sort the papers for me. Then I just had to grade them and enter grades quickly. I love having kids automate my processes for me. I will talk more about the turn in folder in another post about what this Covid year taught me.
Now for some words of wisdom…
Stay excited.
This job is HARD and it’s pretty obvious that we are underpaid and under-appreciated. Districts everywhere continue to pile on responsibilities to the loads of classroom teachers. You have to navigate student behavior, student data, lesson planning, parent communication, IEPs, ILPs, ESL, and a thousand other acronyms. It’s no easy feat.
So, stay excited. Try to find the part of the job that sparks the passion. For me, it’s finding new ways to engage and interest students to become lifelong learners. For some, it’s teaching small groups. Others love math and mental math strategies. Whatever part of the job excites you, hang onto that. Don’t let the bureaucracy squash that joy.
- 2017, year 2. Last year in Florida.
These are the responses I received from my team when I asked “What would you say to your first year teacher self if you could go back in time?”
Stop spending money on your classroom!
Your friends, family, church, are LIFE GIVING. Don’t lose them. They are essential to living a full balanced life. Also, your team is what will make or break your year. They are your friends, cheerleaders, your accountability, your gut check if needed, your rocks. Learn from them. Ask questions and listen. Truly listen. And stop spending money!
A child’s behavior is not a direct reflection of your ability to teach or a representation of how they feel about you.
Set a time to leave and LEAVE.
Be yourself and don’t feel like you have to do things exactly like someone else. Give yourself grace and don’t feel like you need to be perfect. Just surviving is OK!
Focus first on making meaningful relationships with students and learn the standards and focus on truly teaching those well. Ask for help when you need it. Don’t feel like you need to get everything done every day. It’s ok to go home before 6 in the evening!
Start investing in a 403b retirement account now.
Find a school community you fit with. It can be a great school but not a good fit for you. Look into the “vibe”. Ask questions in interviews. Don’t be afraid to find a school you fit with if you find yourself somewhere you don’t feel comfortable or confident.
Not everything will go according to plan. Create an Amazon wish list. Talk to veteran teachers about systems that work effectively in their classroom for organization and management. Don’t ditch the college ramen noodle stash because it takes a while for that first paycheck to hit.
Track on a working document what worked well and what didn’t because you won’t remember from year to year.
In the end, do what you can. You will make mistakes. It will be ok. Love your students, remind them of their importance and capabilities. You will make a difference and your students will grow.
-2018 first year in 2nd grade Best of luck, educators! With love, Erin, aka Miss Wells
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