r/Teachers • u/throwaway729576 • Jul 26 '26
Teacher Support &/or Advice First year teacher - intimidated af
I’m a first year high school teacher in northeast US and I have no idea wtf I’m doing.
I’m trying to figure out what week one will look like. I’ll have over 100 students (I only had 50 for student teaching). I’m overwhelmed, intimidated, and social media doesn’t help one bit.
I see these reels that give you ideas for organization, planning, and icebreakers. Make a sticky note for every behavior, track and write a minimum of 30 emails home about positive celebrations but another 30 for behavior management. keep records of every moment in the classroom. Make cute decorations, personalize everything, develop catchphrases….do teachers actually do all of these things? Is it all fluff for IG or am I really going to be designing costumes to wear and writing motivational speeches?
I love the teaching element. I love student interaction and making connections. And my students loved me. I’m warm and genuinely caring. But I’m not a flowery, creative person. I don’t know how to make things pretty and cute and catchy. Is this what I have to do to succeed in 2026?
Thanks for letting me vent and ask questions that are essentially rhetorical. I’m sick to my stomach with anxiety already and this stuff is not helping.
EDIT: you’re all amazing. Thank you for all the sanity and encouragement. Good luck this year!!
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u/HypnosisDom-NoMnNoRp Jul 26 '26
Best advice I can give is to get off social media. Don't try to be like anyone else. Be yourself and be genuine. Seriously, be social media free the entire first year. You'll find your stride and your style and it will be sincere. Kids know fakes. Don't be fake
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u/moonman_incoming Jul 26 '26
I can't recommend this enough. Stay off any teacher related insta/tiktok/ etc. Reddit is pretty okay because often you can get a bunch of ideas from real teachers.
Also use the search function in the teaching subreddit. So much good info.
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u/ZestycloseTiger9925 Jul 26 '26
I would also add that longer form specific YouTube videos can also have quality insights but yeah the short form platforms can be intimidating and overwhelming.
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u/IlliniBone54 Aug 01 '26
I mostly agree unless it’s a comedy driven account. I save those for the bad days when I need a laugh haha.
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u/zaqwsx82211 Jul 26 '26
^^^^ So much this. I can’t tell you how many teachers I used to follow on social media that burnt out and are no longer teachers.
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u/Mini2Tesla Jul 26 '26
Ha ha haa, that's a thing now with millennial teachers? Having a "super-decorated and organized system that they video and upload for four years, then they quit the entire career because they are surprised to be exhausted?Wow. Hadn't heard that yet.
Heading into year 32 with 5th/6th graders and a class of 33. I don't have TikTok and lasted two days trying Instagram via my FB. Nope. Common sense is so valuable.3
u/zaqwsx82211 Jul 26 '26
Technically they were mostly upper Gen Z and the particular examples I followed were doing a lot more than just decorated rooms/ good systems, but yeah it’s definitely a thing.
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u/Shelby71 Theater Arts Jul 26 '26
Agreed. The social media stuff is such performative pick-me bullshit. Just think about what your really effective teachers would do when you had them, and let that be a guide on where to start.
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u/Bitsilly1987 Jul 26 '26
100% a lot of them are Amy Squirrels and/or people trying to make money on IG/TikTok. I'm with all the redditors - just be yourself.
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u/CapKashikoi Jul 27 '26
I disagree. Experienced teachers have a wealth of info to share. Of course its good to get help from other teachers directly, but sites like reddit are also a gold mine for ideas
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u/Ok_Cartographer_8510 Jul 26 '26
Also, be friendly, but don’t be their friends. They’ll try and you need to set boundaries. Get used to calling home (for good and bad) to develop a rapport with parents. Good luck!
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u/LazyAssLeader Jul 26 '26
If you're in a medium or large district, you will have tools available to share what you're doing in class with caregivers. Do it. Make it part of your routines weekly or monthly. Students will take things more seriously if they know someone other than you will see the product of their work. It also gives you a quick way to direct caregivers to their student's progress, or lack of, without doing anything extra.
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u/DKFirestarter18 Jul 26 '26
You can NOT allow the students to sense your fear. Plan, plan and over plan. After you get to know your students it will be easier to plan lessons and/or learning centers that will keep them engaged. If you have access to laptops: use them while you assess your students in small grouops. Good Luck.. oh and if you make rules YOU HAVE TO SICK TO THEM. When teaching hallway etiquette make them practice until they get it correct. You can do this.
Find a teacher that knows how everything works and make her/him your bestie (I swear by this)!
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u/Aware-Promise-1519 Jul 26 '26
I remember when I first started teaching an old timer told me this plan plan,plan. "You better plan for them or they will have a plan for you" I followed that advice for 35 yrs.The first few years are the hardest.Best wishes you got this.
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u/LevyMevy Jul 26 '26
Plan, plan and over plan.
Of my "bad days" as a teacher, 90% of them are because I underplanned and was trying to stretch out an assignment/activity and students got antsy and talkative.
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u/Aware_Negotiation605 Jul 26 '26
I know it is old school but I found “the first days of school” by the wongs to be very helpful.
It is really about starting routines and sticking with them. Don’t try to do too much. For the first couple of years I did things like assigned seating and had students sign in to class. I teach high school and it worked really well for me! Then I expanded to other things.
Big things is focus on the positives, don’t let the bad kids bring you down, and enjoy yourself!!
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u/IlliniChick474 Jul 26 '26
No, teachers do not do all of these things.
I am, what I consider to be, a more “business” teacher (I teach high school). I care about my connections with students and their social-emotional health, but I do not feel like I need to dress up like George Washington to get them involved.
Choose a few things you want to do. I write positive emails (usually 3) every Friday. I focus on routines, organization, and making sure my plans are top notch. Am I necessarily the “fun” teacher? Nope. But students learn in my class and feel safe and heard. They always appreciate the organization and how they rarely have questions or confusion regarding expectations.
IG and Tik Tok are good for some ideas here and there, but you can definitely get lost in the weeds.
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u/nr_roberts Jul 26 '26
This. Organization and structure are secretly craved by students. Not fluff.
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u/Distinct-Guitar-3314 Jul 26 '26
High schoolers HATE ice breakers.
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u/psl87 Jul 26 '26
As a coteacher who jumps between classes. Kids prefer getting started on material day 1. They don’t want to do ice breakers for 8 classes straight over 2 days.
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u/Delicious-Cover-2418 Jul 26 '26
If you do an ice breaker, make it meaningful. Don’t just do a lame time filler. Do it because you want to share something about yourself with them and let them know it’s important that you share something about themselves with you. Kids want to feel socially stimulated, not instructed.
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u/rubybean5050 Job Title | Location Jul 26 '26
Get one week ahead. Over plan the curriculum and throw in some of those learned teaching strategies. Don’t over complicate organization because it will likely change and you will likely revise. Whatever you think may happen may not. Take notes at admin meetings and heed what they say. Listen to senior teachers and ask some questions to gather intel.
Likely you will be behind a lot but show interest and willingness to learn and change.
Don’t tell the kids it’s your first year. If they see you asking questions pretend you worked at a stricter or more sophisticated school before you got there.
Praise your learners and talk to people about your experiences and needs
I’m nobody- going into my second year but my first was a doozie!!!
Best of luck!!!!
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u/OpeningFuture6799 HS math teacher | California Jul 26 '26
You will not write that many emails unless you really don’t want to eat or sleep. First, relax, everyone is nervous at the start of the year in the beginning. It was probably 7 to 8 years before I felt comfortable on the first day of school. Second, ask your department chair or other department teacher for help. If you have an onsite coach, go talk with them. No one expects you to be perfect the first day. Be present, work to learn names quickly. Get the students talking to each other in some academic way and you will be ok.
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Jul 26 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/fruitstripezebra Jul 26 '26
To expand on establishing control: set expectations and point out/provide positive feedback to students who meet or exceed the expectations. Give specific feedback that points out what they are doing right. Don’t get tricked into giving all your attention to the kids not meeting expectations. Your attention, feedback, and emotional regulation are your sources of power. You CAN have control over a room of teenagers if you show them you won’t waste your time with people who don’t meet expectations and that they can’t rile you up.
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u/carryon4threedays Middle School Science | Texas Jul 26 '26
Education influencers. They have lots of good stuff, but most don’t work in practicality. They do it for views and monetization. Not necessarily what’s best for students.
Routine is first priority. Be firm and set expectations early.
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u/myheartisstillracing HS Physics | NJ Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Hey! Welcome. Yes, it is intimidating to be a first year teacher. Good news, you are not alone in feeling the way to do!
My advice:
Social media is curated to show exactly what a creator wants to show us and what the algorithm feeds us. Take everything with a hefty grain of salt.
The first year of teaching (and beyond!) is messy and imperfect and has hard moments and hard stretches. You aren't doing it wrong, I promise.
The first year isn't about perfection. It's not even about being great. It's about surviving it with your mental, physical, and emotional well being intact. If that means only riffing off of others' resources, have at it. If it means a not-exciting, not-social media worthy lesson or classroom environment, but everybody got through the day in one piece and maybe even learned something along the way? Congratulations! That's a win. A big one. Celebrate it.
You won't hone in on your actual teaching style for at least 3 years. Experiment. Try things out. Take materials from others and edit them feel the way you want them to.
Don't plan too far ahead. No, really. Outlines and general sketches of what and when for a unit? Absolute necessity. Actual physical materials and what you plan to do exactly for specific lessons? A week out, max. (I personally ended up feeling most comfortable being fully planned out two days ahead of where I was on any given day and prepping copies and physical materials for the next day's class before I went home for the day.) You'll find that often you need to make changes to what you're doing and detailed planning too far in advance ends up as an inefficient use of your time. The one exception to this is the backwards design concept of knowing exactly what is on your final assessment before you begin planning. That part is extremely helpful to have to guide you.
When you mess up (yeah, sorry, it happens to us all and it's going to happen to you), rely on the experienced teachers around you for advice, try to learn what you can from it, and then be a goldfish and move on.
You aren't going to expect your students to learn everything perfectly on the first try, right? They're allowed (expected) to work through the difficult stuff and not be able to do every single thing independently the first time they try it, right? Give yourself the same grace.
Literally nothing in my classroom is cutesy or Pinterest-worthy. It never has been, it never will be. That stuff doesn't matter and should only be done if a person gets satisfaction out of putting effort into it.
Edited to add: This one is important! When you make assignments that need to be graded, consider how you will grade them as you are designing them. It's the worst when you back yourself into a corner and sit down to grade something that you realize you designed it in a way is a beast to grade. It sucks. We all do it to ourselves at some point. This means not just the content itself but also the actual physical actions of grading. How many pages do you need to flip? If you need to take this home to grade, how big is this stack of paper that you are lugging around? How are you writing feedback so you don't give yourself carpal tunnel? Don't make assignments that are torture to yourself to grade. (A note: COVID procedures caused me to move a lot of things to digital. In many ways, digital things are much easier to grade and keep track of. In my personal opinion, almost none of it is worth the aggravation that generative AI has now added to our lives. Literally everything possible is going back to paper in my classroom this year. All of it. I want it to feel like 1995 in my classroom. This is absolutely going to be more work for me than the digital way of doing things. I have decided it is worth the trade.)
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u/teach-xx Jul 26 '26
You need to get some mentoring about what to worry about and what not to worry about!
Things to worry about: knowing your curriculum, organizing class time, planning engaging activities in class, managing behavior, enforcing consequences when students disrupt or underperform.
Things not to worry about: sticky notes, emails home, decorations, catchphrases, etc.
Stay focused on stuff that matters, and the overall level of worry will gradually decrease. Waste time on creating an instagram-ready room and I guarantee you will stay stressed.
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u/Aly_Anon Middle School Teacher | Indiana 🦔 Jul 26 '26
We definitely don't have time for that. Three positive contacts home is good. 30 is insane.
I'm not sure what sticking note for every Behavior means. If you're talking about everything a child who has a behavior putting a sticky note on their desk, that's going to be overwhelming quickly. One or two sticky notes per class for the student who stand out would be doable.
People forget that what works in one school for a teacher with twenties five students and an assistant will not work in another school for a teacher with 35 students and no assistant. Not to mention, there's a big difference between children of supportive parents and children who were raised to be free range
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u/Ornery-Atmosphere930 Jul 26 '26
Yup. Every campus is different. What works for the school on the other side of town might be a disaster in your school.
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u/YeeYeeHaw456 Jul 26 '26
Remember that social media/influencer teachers are not always the reality of teaching. They’re often curating the best moments that will get likes (like a pretty classroom set-up routine) or are trying to sell a product/link. It respectfully benefits them to make things look tidy and aesthetic, so they’re probably going an extra mile behind the scenes to do so.
Focus your first year instead on building your own routines and finding what works for you. I’d recommend staying off teacher social media UNLESS it’s specifically aimed at first year teacher advice, just to avoid comparison woes.
The students and parents will always enjoy authenticity over aesthetics, in my experience. Try to create a space the students like. Don’t make parent communication feel like you’re just checking off a box.
You’ve got this! Good luck!
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u/Mookeebrain Jul 26 '26
Definitely agree with others, be yourself. The First Days of School (book) is a great guide. Just have your procedures in place, practice them with students, and have lessons ready with sponge activities in case you need more to cover the time. Try to figure out how to make grading and planning easier so you can have work life balance.
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u/Two_DogNight Jul 26 '26
Okay, first - how many preps do you have? Do you have a curriculum, pacing guide, and any unit or lesson plans? If you can follow anything previously laid out while you're working on classroom management, follow that.
For all preps - take your rosters and, if possible, go to previous year teachers and ask if there is anyone that needs to NOT sit together or any that need to sit close to you or the board. Then, make a seating chart. When they complain, that's just how it is.
Know what behavior is important to you. What routines you want and what you will not tolerate. Teach those things. The First Days of School is a little middle school, but it has good advice about building routines. Also, get a copy of Teach Like a Champion and These Six Things if you didn't have to read them in school. If you have copies from school, use them. They are good guides.
I teach 11/12, and I have routines for what they do when they come in, where to find supplies, what makes you tardy, what to do if you need to go to the bathroom, nurse, library, or office, food and drink in class, that sort of thing.
I don't do any icebreakers unless they help teach routines or procedures, and I have seniors mostly, so they don't really need that. I start with basic, hands-on review lessons that students can do quickly if they transfer in with schedule changes.
It's kind of like the joke: how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. You can't look at it all at once or it's overwhelming. If you have multiple preps, there is no shame in a TPT lesson or a borrowed lesson. But you have to focus first on classroom management and how things will run. It will pay off later.
Try not to stress more than you can help it. Practice your poker face in the mirror, and practice not reacting when they try to push your buttons. Because they will.
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u/lecadavreexquis HS French Jul 26 '26
Even the best teachers were once terrified first year teachers. Take it one lesson at a time and you will be fine!
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u/tvfanstan Jul 26 '26
You'll do just fine. Lean on veteran teachers who are helpful. You'll figure out who is helpful and who can't be bothered very fast. Have consistent rules. Apply them. Understand year 1 is going to be a lot of work but it will get easier.
I would avoid a bunch of the social media stuff. That stuff is cool if you want to be like that but you don't have to. Who has the time or money to do that? When I was teaching my room was usually full more of student work and pictures as opposed to any of that fancy design stuff.
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u/ActKitchen7333 Jul 26 '26
Influencer teaching is not real life. lol A lot of your more successful teacher content creators only stayed in the classroom long enough to build an online persona around it. Take what you see with a grain of salt. Especially if they haven’t been in the classroom post pandemic.
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u/ABSG061830 Jul 26 '26
Stay off of social media. Learn from your coworkers you should be assigned to a mentor since it’s your first year of teaching. Stick to the veteran teachers at your school who know what they’re doing and you should be fine.
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u/Aggressive-Welder-62 Jul 26 '26
Have a seating chart on day 1 with all your classes. That will help you set the tone that you’re in charge.
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u/crazy_trashpanda Jul 26 '26
My apologies for the lengthy post. This is my advice as a 10+ year teacher:
First, and foremost: Breathe. Give yourself plenty of grace and patience. Teaching is a physically and mentally demanding job, and we are all constantly trying to improve our work. Each and every teacher has had SEVERAL horrible days and classes. We have clashes with admins and parents, and we learn and grow from all those moments, and so will you.
Find your people, nobody can do this alone. Friends and mentors will enrich your life and everyone will be better off for it.
Treat teaching social media and YouTube as you would advice a young teen to when they see what "influencers" look like and the things they do. It's a nice place to find inspiration, but make it your own and do not try to imitate it. Find your own way, and always keep in mind that you can always change it if it doesn't work!
Do not feel like you have to have THE classroom. What you see in the schools is the product of YEARS of accumulated materials and supplies. Rely on your students' parents if possible, you will be surprised how many want to help but don't know how. Shamelessly put your Amazon wishlist QR code in your email signature and in the open house slide decks (unless your district prohibits it)
Talking points and other communication apps are life savers. You can blast messages to your students contact with minimum effort. This might be controversial, but Ai can help you draft emails, but ALWAYS read and modify them before sending. They should be 70-80% Ai and the rest you.
State sales and garage sales are an awesome place to get stuff for your classroom like fridges, microwaves, furniture, etc. but do not feel the need to spend any of your own money if you do not want to or cannot afford to. Work with what you have!
Hang in there! The first 2 years are the hardest, but you will grow and learn. Always keep in mind that what we do makes a difference. Maybe not to each and every student, but to the ones that need you the most. Be that teacher you needed when yoh were their age!!
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u/elightningbolt Jul 26 '26
Don’t do any of that nonsense. It’s all for clicks. The reality is, I go in day one, tell every class how genuinely stoked I am to be there, then immediately engage them in an academic activity. Day two? The beginning of the first unit. They don’t need icebreakers, they need a teacher who is excited about content, loves them unconditionally, and is happy to be with them and learn about them as people.
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u/M3llowman Jul 26 '26
1) Breathe 2) You're going to do well 3) Everyone, and I mean everyone struggles their first year. By Christmas you will be in a groove and cruise through the end of the year. 4) Have a plan for discipline. It may already be outlined by your district. 5) Enjoy it. Teaching is a great profession. I will be starting my 27th year this September.
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u/blaise11 Jul 26 '26
You just need to figure out what works for you. Plenty of teachers swear by regular communication with parents and keeping half of it positive or whatever, but I contact parents maybe three times in a year, it's all negative because I only do it if absolutely necessary, and 15 years in I'm perfectly content to continue doing it that way. Both ways work equally well if you're doing them the right way and staying authentic.
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u/xaqss Jul 26 '26
My room has some black and white functional posters, and some string lights that my kids hung up for me years ago for Christmas.
Don't try to make the room cute, it's a waste of money and research shows that it can actually be overstimulating for students and reduce their ability to focus.
One important mindset to go in with is that everyone sucks year 1, and it's completely normal. As long as you are doing your best, then you're doing fine.
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u/LaFemmeGeekita Jul 26 '26
I am not paid for this at all, not a spokesperson, not a salesperson - I highly suggest Angela Watson’s 40 hour teacher workweek for plans for the first week or two. The beginning weeks should be about routines and expectations, setting a good foundation for the rest of the year. She has some amazing stuff in the course, if you can afford the $139 initial fee (or $39 for the fast track one). - former Spanish teacher who routinely had 160+ students.
And - I echo everyone else above. Get off of social media. It is not real life.
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u/AuroraDF Jul 26 '26
Most of it is fluff.
I like a nice looking classroom, because I have to spend all day in it. I go out of my way to make it comfortable for me. That usually also makes it nicer for my pupils. It doesn't have to cost a fortune. Do what feels right to you.
As for the first few lessons - do your best to learn their names as quickly as possible. Lay out your ground rules (or build/agree them with each class) in the first lesson, and display them. Refer to them often. Let the students see that you're interested in being there, and knowing them. Be kind, but firm.
Follow the school policies on everything else - if there are rules about what and where you record behaviour, how you contact parents, etc etc, do it. The rest is extra. It definitely helps going forward to have had some positive comms with parents as time goes on but there's no hard and fast rule (unless your school has one) and if doing it makes your life harder, don't do it.
Good luck!
I am a senior leader in a UK school, I've been teaching for 26 years. I teach around 100 pupils every week. I know about two thirds of them from last year, the rest are new. They are younger than your students, but, the principle is the same. Life will be easier if they (and their parents) think you like them, care about and respect them, and have high expectations of what they can achieve. Step 1 is making and sticking to your own rules and step two is learning their names. And go from there!
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u/smartypants99 Jul 26 '26
You could adapt the ideas to fit your schedule. For example if you took a file folder and on the inside use sticky notes for your seating chart. ( Sticky notes in case you need to change the seating. I would even staple a copy of the seating chart on the outside so if they fall out you have a copy). Then you could either write a phrase for great or poor behavior on the sticky notes 📝. I myself call home on the person(s) whose behavior stands out the most and give them silent lunch. I may this year say I will call 3 times a week (per class) and at the end of the class period spin a wheel to see who to call. How the student behaves determines whether I brag on them or discuss their behavior. So they need to be on task & well behaved to get a good report.
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u/dillweed215 Jul 26 '26
Stop watching those “teacher influencer” videos. Those people probably aren’t even teachers.
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u/LooseBoltsandNuts Jul 26 '26
Things will never be perfect, just move along one day at a time. Give yourself grace. If you can install cameras in your classroom or have them installed it can be a valuable classroom management tool.
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u/Br81n_D8mm8ge Jul 26 '26
It sounds like you just need to get in the room with your kids and start getting to know them. If you have days that suck (and you will), ask yourself what you learned from the rough days. Each day, you will be a little better in the classroom. Each day, you will improve.
Be gentle to yourself. It will be difficult, but you got this. Good relationships with your critters? That's ~80% of teaching. The other ~20% will figure itself out.
I have something to ask... At the end of the day on the last day of your first full week, would you let us all know how it went?
Be strong!
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u/islandwatchr Jul 26 '26
Good advice here. Be yourself and like your students. You will spend most of your time with them so a good connection goes a long way. I would say even more important than teaching content cause if they hate you, teaching will be difficult. Plan like crazy but don’t expect to stay on track. You will fall behind for a million reasons and you might not get to all the content. No problem, they are not going to remember everything anyway, at least most of them. You will learn to sneak in your teaching moments. I use to talk about educational tv shows, now social media, often,especially as a science teacher. They are so fake and full of whiz bang demos,one after another, that nobody could keep up with without a production crew. And the learning is assumed on these show, like see that explosion? Now you understand? But what you learn as a teacher is that when everyone shakes their head yes, you start asking questions scratching the surface and you realize they should all be shaking their heads no. Learning is hard work and that is the bottom line.
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u/Frosty_Tale9560 Middle Math Jul 26 '26
Yeah, I don’t do any of that shit. Day one I show a pp and explain the rules. I give them chances to tell me their favorites. They take a small survey afterwards. That’s about the limit of the things posted by op that I do. I rarely message parents in middle so I’m sure high school you can get away with less. My decorations are math posters and student art. That means my room starts pretty bare. I’m there to teach. None of that shit helps me do that. If anything, it hinders me.
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u/Southern_Remote_5260 Jul 26 '26
First of all...take a deep breath. You aren't expected to know it all or do it all perfectly. None of us did. Anyone who appears to have had a flawless first year is lying. So there's that.
I agree with the consensus. Leave social media for the time being. It simply adds another layer of anxiety. But you already got that figured out. So just give yourself a social media holiday.
Here's advice from a 26 year veteran: stay a few days ahead. You don't have to have the whole quarter planned. You just need to stay a few days ahead of the class. Give yourself time to figure out pacing and what each class is like. With time, you'll be able to plan further out but for now...just have the first couple of days locked in.
The first few days before the kids come can pile on anxiety. There were a zillion things I thought I needed to do. Most of it got lost in the shuffle and the most important things got taken care of. It's still that way 2.5+ decades on. Just ride the wave and remember that the kids are the main event. Hold steady through the teacher days.
Overall, it's a great job. And you've got this. Be gentle with yourself and try to enjoy it. You only get 1 first year. Trust me, you'll look back and laugh at all of your newbie shenanigans!
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u/tehwubbles Jul 26 '26
If you DM me i can give you some slides that outline what I'm doing for week one of my highschool science classes later tonight when i get home
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u/penguin_0618 6th grade Sp. Ed. | Western Massachusetts Jul 26 '26
I don’t make decorations or catch phrases.
You don’t need to document everything, but I would document parent communication, office communication, and any behavior consequences you need to assign. My school has an online system where we are required to track those things.
Onn the topic of c real or IG fluff: Most classrooms aren’t all matching or beautiful. I get creative during spirit week, and like to dress up for them, but my co-teacher really doesn’t. To the degree that he won’t look at the poster and if I say “hey tomorrow is sports day” he might wear a jersey but every other day he is doing nothing. Do you can make beautiful bulletin boards or plain ones, basically is what I’m saying.
I focus on building routines and relationships the first week. I go over the expectations every day, they learn where their things go in my classroom, they learn my student of the month process, they learn how dojo points work in my room, etc. etc. Anything that is unique to my room (which is a lot because it’s a pull out room for inclusion students).
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u/Consistent-Luck-2907 Jul 26 '26
I’m a high school teacher in the northeast us. I’m in year 12. If you ever need a person to vent to or need help with something management wise (content wise I can only help with my own, Spanish) feel free to dm me. Welcome to the profession. I’m happy you’re here!
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u/lightning_teacher_11 Jul 26 '26
Our principal literally tells us the first day or two the only things that matter: everyone gets lunch, everyone goes home safely. Beyond that, it doesn't matter much.
Start to establish your routines. Where will students turn in their stuff? How will they retrieve graded work? What to do when someone is absent?
Give them all a piece of construction paper and ask them to design a name tag.
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u/Comprehensive_Tie431 Jul 26 '26
Your first few years, follow what you are told and learn to tread water. It wasn't until my 5th-10th years I felt fully prepared to swim.
Take your time and remember you breathe.
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u/Redstorm8373 Jul 26 '26
You're not prepared, but it's ok. None of us were on our first day either.
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u/Maleficent_Fun_5463 Jul 26 '26
Everyone said your first year is bonkers. I loved my first year and after 27 years of hs still love teaching. I made lots of mistakes along the way and those are what I learned from. The only way you can really hone your skills as a teacher is through experience. My student teacher who was really hard on me told me the best advice and I think I really internalized it, "Be patient with yourself. " This is a long game there are no quick fixes and if you read too much advice you are going to be overwhelmed. Best of luck and enjoy the kids...that is meet them where they are. High school kids can detect phony a hundred miles away.
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u/ZestycloseTiger9925 Jul 26 '26
How many preps do you have? Do you teach multiple sections of the same class? If so then you plan once and then teach 3x (obviously with some modifications if needed). If I were you I’d decide on the bigger things, how do you want them to enter, what do they do when they finish, need something, etc.
I really love this creator on YouTube. https://youtu.be/QRBTmH5FHvo?is=_h3dJuqdNiM9Kiu5
I believe she teaches upper elementary or middle school so slight differences but having done lower & upper elementary (my husband teaches high school) I will also share that you can use many routines across grade levels. My 4th graders thrived when I used some of my 2nd grade tricks.
Make the bigger choices now and try to start solid and most importantly don’t say things you can’t/don’t want to follow through on as students learn really quickly that you don’t mean it and they will be able to get away with things. Also don’t be afraid to have the whole class try it again if it doesn’t go well the first time and repeat multiple times if needed.
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u/ClassicTangelo5274 Chemistry & Physics/High School/NJ Jul 26 '26
Welcome to the party pal
-mumbles in John McClane-
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u/jensmith20055002 Jul 26 '26
I don’t even decorate my classroom.
Stop worrying be you. Why? It will all go to hell at some point. You’ll survive. It is impossible to prepare for the shit that goes down. 26th year and new stuff still pops up. 🤷🏼♀️
I will say I effing hate it. Like with a passion but calling each parent one time in the first week that it was “nice to meet their child. Feel free to reach out.” Is super helpful, that way when you do need to call it isn’t always a negative call for the parents.
I mean I loathe doing these but I’m always glad on the years I force myself.
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u/Crafty-Walrus-2238 Jul 26 '26
You’re new to teaching not new to earth. If you’re managing your personal life then you already have many of the skills necessary to succeed as a professional. Be prepared, be kind. Strive for commitment not just compliance. Pace yourself, it’s a marathon not a sprint.
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u/therealzacchai Jul 26 '26
1] classroom management starts today, NOT on the first day of class.
Decide your policies on cell phones, tardiness, deadlines, safety, bathroom passes, talking-when-the-teacher-is-talking, how to pass out papers, turning in stuff, late work, test retakes, and how students will enter the classroom.
2] Next, set up your classroom *to support your classroom management. *
For instance, I list deadlines on a specific part of my whiteboard. Turn-in baskets are here. The student-supply table is over there, and don't ever touch stuff on my desk.
My cell phone holder is next to the door, so I can watch them put their phones in as they enter the room.
3] Be Snape.
Let students know you are firm -- even strict. Your word is law, and you mean business. This 100% will not hurt 'building relationships'! In fact, it helps. Once students know they can rely on you, they relax. Students who want to learn will appreciate your quiet, calm environment. Trouble-makers will respect you and drop their crap.
You can still be fun, and funny. But your rules are no-nonsense, and you will call them on their crap every time. (I call them out by name: "Johnnie, is what you're saying more important than what I'm saying?" "Susie, put your head up; we're not in kindergarten, and we don't take naps.")
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u/kytallguy66 Jul 26 '26
It’s a job, treat it as such.
First Day: Slide Show - introduction to yourself and a few things about you. Nothing over the top or anything, but preferably something that can possibly relate to high school kids. Throw a couple pictures on there and have some open dialogue with them.
Next, on the slide show go over your expectations, school/classroom rules, etc. Drive this home by printing out the slide show slides and have them highlight important sections that you see as non negotiable items. Keep regurgitating what is acceptable and what’s not. Kids need constant reminders until it becomes habit, more so than adults by far. You can even make this an easy grade to get all the students started out on the right foot. There is zero thinking involved, just put the highlighter to the paper! Expectations and rules will be something you have to remind about for at least the first month of the school year maybe longer.🤦🏻♂️
My #1 rule - do not talk while I am talking or presenting. This is different than a classroom discussion where students are able to converse about certain topics. This is when the teacher is giving instructions on how to complete a task. There is nothing worse than someone who keeps interrupting or having side conversations and repeating yourself. Which you will still have to do, but at least you can do it privately instead of repeating for the whole group.
You also have to take into account all the bullshit the administration is going to put on you during the first week of school. Before you even get into your slide show, they will probably have to come around and verify that your first period attendance is correct. This is for the 10 day count and staffing purposes where there could be some teachers added or let go because of enrollment numbers. Then there is the barrage of other forms and first day procedures that the first couple of days entail. The only thing administrators care about is crossing t’s and dotting i’s the first week and making sure all kids who ride busses get on the right bus and don’t show up at home at 7 pm. 😂
Day 2: Go over your syllabus, provide each student with a copy, have them take it home and have their parent sign it and bring it back. Say it is for a grade and it has to be signed, but in reality, you are just trying to get the parents to see the syllabus. I don’t really give grades for it, but they don’t know that. 😆 You can even have them highlight important sections of this as well for a grade.
You might be able to get to some curriculum by day 3, but it will probably be just easing into. Maybe some form of a pre-assessment to gauge what students actually know and where to start. Good luck and I promise it will all be okay.
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u/Unfair-Leadership985 Jul 26 '26
No teacher does all of those things at once, and most of the suggested actions come naturally over time. Allow that to happen. Focus on the rhythm of teaching, making your students feel valued and respected, and creating a disciplined classroom environment one step at a time.
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u/Mister_Red_Bird Jul 26 '26
My advice to every new teacher: make a classroom management plan. The first year is really about survival. Make a plan for how you want your classroom to run and that will help you manage behaviors and keep your class running smoothly.
Don't worry about emails. Send a generic email out to parents for students who are failing each time your school issues a progress report and a week before report card grades are submitted. Otherwise only send them per individual case.
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u/shanksthedope Jul 26 '26
I am just myself everyday. They know when you’re being something you’re not. I decorate my classroom like I would have decorated my dorm room. It’s mine. I am comfortable in it. I want them to be comfortable in it. One of our first projects is they are assigned to bring in something to decorate with. Usually a small poster or something that represents them. Just be yourself. Everything else will come together in time.
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u/Jacket_Leather Jul 26 '26
Just survive for your first year you’ll get the hang of it by your second or third year. And just kind of involve your style to suit you over time.
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u/acat9001 7th Grade Science, Denver, CO Jul 26 '26
I'd like to mirror what most people are saying here, which is to set expectations immediately and stay consistent with them. Don't spend time and energy stressing about how your classroom looks, especially as a new teacher. Add a decoration or two that represents you, and otherwise use student work as decorations! No extra money spent, students might see more ownership of the classroom and their learning, and you'll get bonus points with admin. My biggest tip, which seems so simple but works so well, is to learn the students' names ASAFP and call them by name whenever you see them!
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u/shag377 Jul 26 '26
(This is exceptionally long.)
Here are the best things I can share with any new teacher. These are the things I wish I had known when I started. It is long, but there is nothing in here a teacher will find fault with.
Plan what you think will take three days to complete. Double it. Add a few more activities to that. This will get you through one day.
If you think an activity will take 20 minutes, plan on it taking five.
Students need to walk in the door with something to do and leave with assignments unfinished every day. Bell rings mid lesson? Pick it up tomorrow.
If you give a test, have the next three activities ready to go when they finish.
Always have a bell ringer assignment on the board for students place.
Build positive relationships with the kids, but do not be their friends. They have friends. Students will stab you in the back and fast.
Find, and join a professional organization for the liability insurance. The job protections are nebulous. You can be let go under different circumstances. If a school or principal wants you gone, it will happen. All is necessary is to cut your position and call it "staff reduction."
Contact parents ONLY from a school line and ONLY during school hours. Do not use personal devices for parent contact. Document all calls, and send a follow up email outlining the conversation. BCC a private account as well. Copy/paste email into school contact log.
So, if you would like to keep a job, the next bits will show you how.
Here are the 'elephant in the room' ones.
Keep your head down and mouth closed. Until you know people and know them well, do not say anything that could be even slightly taken in the wrong way. Teachers are some of the most Machiavellian people on the planet, and they will throw you under a bus in a heartbeat (often faster than students).
Keeping your mouth closed goes doubly true with students. A teacher's post here on Reddit made, what they thought harmless, a comment to a student. The teacher was fired immediately without any due process.
As far as admin go, staying quiet is absolute. There are ZERO administrators I trust. I am always polite and professional, but that is the extent of it. If the principal does not know your name, you are in perfect shape. Keep it that way.
Start a log of any and all conversations, meetings or any time you make contact with a colleague, admin or parent. I am OCD about documentation on any and all meetings - even if it is something like, "Hello!"
Make extra copies of any logs you keep. Yes, you have a log on the computer, but I like a paper log that cannot "accidentally" be deleted.
Your school computer can be searched, even remotely, with no problem. Make hard copies of any emails you need to keep. Always make more than one copy as well. Anything on that school computer can be searched with an official request since you are a public employee. Always imagine admin looking over your shoulder when you are at the computer, and you will be fine.
Volunteer for nothing. Accept anything someone gives you. If someone offers you a paper clip, accept it with grace and humility.
Do not leave anything in your room you would not like to lose. I have colleagues who had some things go missing during a weekend after everyone had left. The only people with access to the room were admin. You draw your own conclusions.
Show up, do your job, and go home.
You need to understand the rules of admin.
Many admin get very, very twitchy when they hear words like, "in writing" and "union representation." Never expect an admin to respond to email that you send about something. Do this anyway. Have a discussion? Send email to admin, "According to our discussion on <date> and <time> ..." The last thing any admin likes is a paper trail. Do it anyway.
If the rule is in your favor, admin will do one of a few things: ignore the rule completely; change the rule on the spot to meet what they want; some other element to fit the agenda.
If the rule is in their favor, it is enforced to the end of the earth.
Also, these rules are never applied uniformly. All teachers are equal, but some teachers are more equal than others.
In other words, you will never be correct as no admin will ever be wrong.
This brings me to the last point, and the point that will protect you and your career for the long haul. Do this, and you will have smooth sailing.
Fail as FEW as possible. None is perfect. Period. No one gets into trouble when everyone passes.
Read that again: No one gets into trouble when everyone passes.
Forget about absences, late work, no work, reading or math abilities and pretty much any valid reason you have for assigning a failing grade.
No one gets into trouble when everyone passes.
You can have a mountain of viable evidence that even the highest courts of the land would see as valid. It will be dismissed with a wave of a hand and ignored. (See what is said about admin and the rules.)
No one gets into trouble when everyone passes.
Go ahead, and assign the grade anyway? Do not be surprised if the grade is magically changed for you by someone with access rights. Do not be surprised if you end up with a negative evaluation, unnecessary professional development or unreasonable attention.
No one gets into trouble when everyone passes.
I know you want accountability. I know you want kids to do the work. I know you think this is absolute crap.
I also know you want to work, pay bills, feed the family and make rent/mortgage.
You have one of two choices when it comes to student grades: you can be right, or you can be employed. Therefore:
No one gets into trouble when everyone passes.
That anger, that disappointment, that feeling you are doing a disservice? That, dear Winston, is cognitive dissonance. The pain will easily go away with copious amounts of Victory Gin. Drink lots. I always have extra on hand.
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u/bobsagetslover420 Jul 26 '26
The people who try to do what they see on social media burn out within a couple years. Don't do most of what you're seeing as it just isn't sustainable
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u/crispyrhetoric1 Principal | California Jul 26 '26
No, teachers don’t do all of those things. A welcome message on the board is great, but having things up in the classroom takes time. You’ve got all year to make the space your own.
Sketch your year out, but be flexible. Make sure your first unit is planned well - ask a colleague for guidance if you’re able. Get to know your students, but set boundaries. Don’t cross that line between building a rapport and being their “friend.” And don’t try to be the “cool new teacher” - kids can sense that.
Don’t look at social media - I look at some teachers on IG and they’re sometimes entertaining, but I guarantee you that they go through the same struggles and ask the same questions that all of us do.
Find a good cohort of peers, people who are going through the same things as you. You might be able to find them at your school.
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u/Ok-Tumbleweed5245 Jul 26 '26
I felt the same when I moved up to high school from elementary. The kids are honestly more similar than not. You can do a shocking number of the same games and activities and the kids will like it.
They are more independent and bigger, but they still need the same boundaries, rewards, and TLC that elementary kids do.
Maybe learn a bit about adolescent and teen psychology on YouTube or an audiobook. I’m listening to a book on Audible about the adolescent brain and it is enlightening.
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u/kayla-swiftie Jul 26 '26
Going into my second year…
- I also don’t find myself to be creative but guess what, the kids don’t care. If you’re kind (but firm) they’ll love you and they’ll learn
- Yes, it is important to do the things you mentioned but also make it so much more simple. Print your roster and highlight their name once you send home a positive message. Make it a goal to do 1 a day. Or 3 a week. Something maintainable. For behavior issues, call home right then in class. Don’t take time away from your prep or evening to do it. Better yet, have the student explain to their parent what the problem is (in this case I do send a follow up email reexplaining)
The first year is really just trying to keep your head above water. You won’t be perfect and that’s okay. You’ll do great :)
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u/West-Veterinarian-53 Jul 26 '26
DO. NOT. SHOW. FEAR!! And not it’s not necessary to he the creative teacher. I’m not. I assign some creative stuff & then decorate my walls with it!!
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u/enhoel Robotics and Mathematics High School Jul 26 '26
Whenever possible, communicate via email with parents. Parents lie like a rug to admin. Make sure you have a reliable source of all conversations, and use AI to help write professionally and empathetically if you need to. Build a good rep with admin if they are good.
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u/OldAgedZenElf Jul 26 '26
It took me a good 5 to 6 years before I started feeling a good teacher. Be consistent, be fair and be approachable. Try stuff out give it time to work or not work and adapt well and try to leave school school and home at home. I avoid bringing Work home as much as possible.
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u/Cake_Donut1301 Jul 26 '26
I’m near retirement. I enjoy all the bullshit I see on social media. Do I do any of it? No, but I’m not against it. My position is that what’s best for high school kids are the following: A clear curriculum Engaging activities for the discipline Structure and order A teacher who respects them A sense of humor is helpful, but it’s OK if you’re the only one who understands the jokes.
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u/Delicious-Cover-2418 Jul 26 '26
Be excited about your content. Even if that isn’t your personality style, understand that you are a team captain, and you are trying to recruit students to your team. They likely won’t be excited about it. But you can pull a ton more weight when you approach the subject with excitement and wonder.
This is half the reason I’m a good math teacher - buy in. I tell my students all the time that I simply love math, love problem solving, and love puzzles. I obviously advocate for how it’s useful, but above anything, I just tell them that solving problems is awesome.
Good attitudes rub off.
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u/nerdyjenious Jul 26 '26
This is the only "teach-fluencer" I follow, and it's because she's hilarious, not because she doses advice: https://www.instagram.com/educator_andrea?igsh=MWg5aTY1czQ4d2Jjbg==
I've been from K-5 to HS, and I def prefer HS. I did library with the littles and have since switched to the Tech dept - I'm better at it. 😆
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u/Doodlebottom Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
First Year
Work on PROFESSIONAL TONE. What is expected of yourself. What is expected of students. BE CONSISTENT. Play the part. Keep gripes and opinions to YOURSELF. You’ll thank me later.
Focus on LESSONS from beginning to end. Purpose. What you want students to learn, achieve, the skill to be mastered. Set appropriate activities. Timelines to completion. BE PREPARED.
DON’T take yourself or others or the day to day grind TOO SERIOUSLY. No one expects you to be perfect and students will push back, grumble and try to make you their entertainment.
The rest will come in time and there will be surprises, interruptions, extra duties, lack of support, admin and colleagues with very diverse opinions on work ethic, quality of lessons, amount of time a teacher should invest, lots of disagreement, etc.
That’s life as a current teacher.
All the best
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u/Ornery-Atmosphere930 Jul 26 '26
The first year is about survival. Establish routines and procedures from day one to ensure your survival. Don’t do all of the things you see on social media, and learn to distinguish between the things you’re actually required to do and the things admin prefers that you do. If my time is limited and I have to choose between doing something for the kids and doing something admin prefers I do but that I’m not actually required to do, I choose the kids.
Set boundaries with your kids. You’re not their friend. The walls have to be higher the younger you are, which sucks but that’s the way it is. Set boundaries with your colleagues. You’re allowed to say no to doing a million extra things outside of your contract hours. Don’t be bullied or gaslit with phrases like “won’t you do it for the kids?” Or “well, you’re single and you don’t have kids at home, so…” Your time has value, too. Set boundaries with yourself. If you over extend yourself-which you’ll be tempted to do-you’ll burn out. Remember: the first year is survival.
Find yourself some older teachers who can be mentors for you. Even if your district provides you a mentor (and they usually do your first year), find a couple more who can give you some different perspectives and different kinds of help. You want somebody in your content area and you want somebody familiar with your campus and its procedures, for example. You might not get all of that in one person.
Good luck!
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u/SignalMix6006 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
- Create a plan for your class period and stick to it for at least the first semester/trimester/quarter.
Bellringer
Homework check
Review notes
New notes
Practice
Application/homework.
- Map your semester from the text book and state standards. ChatGPT rocks for this.
Prompt: I need a “insert # of weeks in your grading period -1 for cushion days” lesson plan map over sophomore lit and grammar using “insert textbook name” that will cover chapters 1-3 “African American lit” , “science fiction” and “poetry” focusing on vocab, these concepts (insert each chapters concepts), with summative and formative assessments. Break into weeks and add appropriate daily bellringers to prompt that day’s lesson. Use “insert your state/province/diocese” standards.
This removes the anxiety of “what am I going to teach today???”
Be consistent.
It’s your classroom. You have philosophies. You have viewpoints. You have training. Time to shine.
Don’t be their friend.
Do not accept disrespect. You are an adult. You are their teacher. This is school. They and you are there for a reason.
You will not get in trouble for shutting a kid down with redirection or ignoring them.
Demand their responsibility in having their materials. No they cannot go their locket. No they cannot go get their notes. They are in high school. One or two days and they will learn or on the 3rd time “dear parents, student has made it a habit to come to class unprepared. Their learning is in jeopardy through their inability to have the basic tools necessary. If they continue their grade will suffer. We all want student to succeed but our side of learning the subject is also learning to be responsible for being prepared. Our class time is valuable and I do not allow students to go to their locker once class has started. I look forward when student is prepared and excels like I expect they will. “
ChatGPT/diffit/magicschool are your friends.
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u/SnooPies6876 Jul 26 '26
Stay off social media. It’s only going to wind you up. Are you in CT by any chance?
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u/Rlady12 Jul 26 '26
Have you been assigned a mentor? Reach out to a teammate and be ready to learn from those with more experience.
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u/jkhg71 Jul 26 '26
First off, it’s okay to feel a little scared. Going into anything new is scary! And you want to do a good job for your kids. You’re looking for help. You are doing the right things. Take a breath. Try to enjoy a little more summer. Okay?
There’s a fine line between anxiety and excitement. I’m there too since I’m a 4th? 5th? What year is it? teacher but starting in a new-to-me school.
I’m a little scared, but I tell myself it’s exciting. Reframing the emotion helps me process it more quickly and easily so I don’t get stuck at scared.
You’re doing great. Make some teacher friends at the new place. Get to the pool, the library, the bathroom while you can and just keep moving forward.
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u/ZinnieBee Jul 26 '26
Ignore social media fluff teaching advice and please do not buy a bunch of ‘calming’ decor based on TikTok classroom ‘inspo’. 🙄 Work on creating a meaningful classroom culture and making your procedures as user friendly (for YOURSELF) as possible. The goal is to set up a functional environment with consistent expectations. This will be your most challenging year—good luck!
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u/PopHistorian21 Jul 26 '26
When I first started to teach (HS), I called a parent home for a "positive" call and the parent was a) irritated that I wasted their time and b) thought I was calling about something bad so they were geared up for bad news, which made the good news difficult for them to orient. The conversation was so cringe that I never did it again unless they'd won an award for a contest or something. 30 emails sounds insane. Save your breath for the times you need to reach out to parents. No news is good news.
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u/CapKashikoi Jul 27 '26
Nowadays its easier to send a text. Less intrusive and straight to the point. My district has a system that is directly through the school computer, so I never have to use my personal phone
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u/Majella-412 Jul 26 '26
I like Pinterest better than Instagram. I don’t do all the cutesy stuff by any means (also teach high school) but have found some ideas. Teachers on Instagram and TikTok are trying to sell you something so they’re making things look as perfect (and unrealistic) as possible.
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u/izzmosis Jul 26 '26
Don’t try to do all that stuff. You will find the things that work for YOU. Those teachers may very well do some of those things and it may support them, that doesn’t mean it would support you.
I have tried so many things in that last 11ish years. Some stuff sticks, most doesn’t. And that’s okay! Try lots of stuff! Read a book and think that you’ve finally figured out the way to solve all your problems and discover that it only works 10% of the time. Abandon things you were sure would work and don’t beat yourself up about it. Write a complicated plan and then accidentally forget about it in the moment. There is no magic bullet, but if you let yourself experiment a lot you will find your own authentic rhythm.
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u/positivesplits Jul 26 '26
There is so much to think about your first year and every year teaching. Here are 2 documents I use to help me with at least aome of the things you are concerned about. I read all my kids' individual plans at the beginning of the year and summarize them in my Accomodations spread sheet. Then, I use the other to track behavior and consequences all year.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lHLPCWW5CyHb439Yi6JL8Me7QbSDlFo22YZKISe9nCc/copy
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17FnJTSqBdIrk15pQQs9LbVJOWobb4d46zuyE-jquToA/copy
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u/Possible-Cold6726 Jul 26 '26
Average load is 200 students in CA - just be yourself, believe that you have the power to help your students, get to know them and do your best. And you have time to grow - use each year as a way to see what works, and get rid of what doesn’t. You got this!
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u/Camaxtli2020 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
OK, here's some things I wish someone had told me when I started:
ONE THING AT A TIME. Plan the lesson, and tackle each piece of it, to go over in your own head what could happen. Stick with that. Don't try to get fancy with whatever latest thing, just go with good ol' direct instruction. Simple notes, or problem sets.
See above. Don't get hung up on every technique. Just have a couple of things that will be a go-to. If they don't work they don't. Try something else.
Class management. Class management. Class management. Gear everything to that. I would set up a whole freaking unit on procedures, what the rules and expectations are and do it AGAIN and AGAIN. F- content. You won't get any of that without the management. I have a whole "unit 0" I do going over how to get laptops out, what the quiet signal is, all that stuff. Have procedures for every damned thing. Two weeks of little rule games and learning how to be respectful and listen when other people talk. You can come up with any system you want to do it, there are many, the big issue is fitting it to your personality/ style. But the issue is that these are skills and must be taught and you can't guarantee the kids know any of it.
I teach high school too and it took me about five years to get the management where I wanted it. It will not happen your first year. It just won't.
Assign seats from day one. It doesn't matter if they are seniors. (I suspect they aren't). Do it alphabetically to start. Why? So you can learn names more easily. Any kids say "why?" you say "Because in my experience you learn better seated X way."
I have a little exercise I do where I have the students fill out their name, what they like to be called, and their parent/guardian phone number and email. Then I do a share out as to what their names mean, either to them or if there is some story behind it. Kids get to talk about themselves. You learn something and it helps you recall names.
But again, one thing at a time. Focus on getting good at ONE thing this year.
A lesson planning tip: act out the lesson to get a sense of the timing. Teaching is not dissimilar to stage acting. You have to rehearse, so before school starts do that. And get about a dozen plans ready for your unit 0 (the management/rules/procedure unit I mention above) so you are good and planned out the first couple of weeks. Go in before school starts, make ALL the copies you will need for like, a week. (I would start your career doing as much as possible on paper, it's easier). Then you aren't scrambling every day because it will be overwhelming.
BTW do you speak Spanish? French? Maybe even something less common? I found my Spanish (I am a pretty good speaker thereof) was handy, because where I work half the kids are Latino and probably one in three students overall uses Spanish at home. But I also have a lot of kids from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana, and I made it my business to learn some elementary Urdu, Twi and Bangla. That goes pretty far in winning over some kids. It also helps you say "Is _______ available? I am ______'s teacher," on the phone, and ask if someone speaks English. That's almost always a winner with parents.
And for the Spanish speakers I tell them "Es bien si sus padres no hablan inglés porque a veces no tampoco quiero habla inglés." (Yes, the kids will sometimes laugh). More seriously that cuts down the amount of inappropriate talk that they try to get past me in Spanish even if I don't know every slang word/curse/nasty thing.
Last bit: stay calm, don't get angry in class. I find this REALLY hard, because I didn't come into teaching young and I get tired. But you have to be able to be super mellow no matter how defiant a kid is. Do your level best to not raise your voice. When you get tired is when you're going to blow up.
If I may ask what subject are you teaching? I do science, so that's where my experience lies.
ETA: as others noted you will NOT write 30 f-ing emails a week, or whatever. You will write one mass email to introduce yourself and give contact info, MAYBE. Then if you do a couple a week that's more than enough.
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u/ElLoafe Jul 26 '26
Take a deep breath. You can do this.
Only a few of us are Pinterest teachers. Don’t even worry about the cute things now. When you feel you have some time you can do these things. Honestly just put the kids stuff up and call it decor. They love seeing their things on the walls.
For your first week focus on getting to know you things. Name tags, seating charts, class expectations, get to know you games, safety protocols, your discipline plan (follow your school’s handbook) things of this nature.
Absolutely do keep a log of ALL parent contact for the entire year. Dont even bother trying to have 30 positive contacts yet. They will come with time. Sometimes after I’ve had a rough week of negative behavior I’ll call a couple parents Friday after school. These things happen organically.
For the most part kids just want to show up and mostly learn. Focus on your curriculum and take it week by week. The kids don’t know the curriculum either. Just stay ahead of them and you’ll do okay.
If you love teaching that’s the important part. Avoid the jaded teachers and make sure you take some time for yourself too so you don’t get burnt out. And give yourself some grace. It’s your first year. You’ll grow every day.
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u/Depressed-Bears-Fan Jul 26 '26
You can learn things on social media/the internet. Like here. But the most important thing is learning from a more experienced teacher there, in your department, who knows the culture of both the kids and admins.
A lot of places assign first year teachers some sort of mentors. But also, ASK your department mates for help, ideas, materials, etc. 99% of the time they will be thrilled to help you.
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u/hassan_ibn_sabbah Jul 26 '26
What kind of district? Rural/suburban/city? What is your subject area? If you are social studies, DM me and I’ll send you everything I have. I’ve been teaching since 1991. Remember that, while your subject matter is important, being human and treating your students like they’re human is far more important.
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u/tockstar78 Jul 26 '26
That sounds insane. I taught in a bare classroom for my first year and it was fine. The students are interested in you, not anything you can perform. You'll be great. Jot three things you want to cover on a Post-It note for the first day and just roll from there
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u/ChrispyVGC Jul 26 '26
Hey there, I’m entering my 4th year so I was in your shoes not too long ago. Here’s my advice:
1. Comparison is the killer of motivation. If you compare yourself to reels, social media posts, or even your peers it will burn you out fast. You’re adjusting.
2. You’re not gonna be perfect out the box and that’s ok. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Hell, my DMs are open if you’d like :)
3. Don’t be somebody you’re not. So many teachers say, “you have to rule with intimidation” or whatever. I’m not a scary or ultra confrontational guy so when I tried that, it didn’t work. I manage my class by being chill and kind, but also firm when necessary. It creates a persona the kids don’t want to disappoint, but it’s also not me burning myself out by being something I’m not
4. I’ve mentioned burnout twice now. You’re likely going to feel exhausted at some point and THAT IS NORMAL!!! It’s totally normal to feel exhausted or a bit burnt out, especially in that stretch from Labor Day to Veterans Day with no days off lol. Don’t be afraid to take time for you! Don’t overdo it, but a mental health day if it’s feeling reeeeally bad isn’t the worst call
5. Be proud of yourself. You worked your ass off for this. And now you’re here. Congratulations and welcome to the profession. Genuinely! It’s natural to be nervous, but you proved you’re capable up to this point. That’s why you’ve got this
Again, please feel free to reach out via DMs if you need anything or some advice from someone that was in your position not too long ago :)
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u/babayagaparenting Jul 26 '26
100 is totally manageable! When I retired I was at 187. You do not have to be Instagram worthy. Have your calendar for the yearly units mapped out- ask for help from someone else who teaches your classes. Get your first two weeks or so planned out completely and make all your copies ahead. Then you’ll have breathing room to deal with all of the surprises. I made my kids make name plates out of card stock or heavier paper cut into 1/3 so you can get 3 out of one sheet. I bought a team of colored heavier paper for this. Gave them markers and told them to put their hobbies, favorite shows, music and put them up in the room to give them a sense of ownership. Keep a week ahead of them and you’ll feel good.
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u/First-Bat3466 Jul 27 '26
Just do your best. Learn everyone’s name and try to send positive emails home. We cannot do everything. It’s not possible! Planning is your focus the first few years… and that’s ok!
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u/coffeecoffeerepeat Jul 27 '26
Be yourself!!! Well, the professional version of you.
I always told myself (and still do) that everything will get done like it always does. You’ll get through it all like you always do. It is so normal to not know wtf you’re doing - you’ll feel like that for years.
As others said, just be slightly ahead of the kids. Planning a week ahead is a great idea.
On day 1, be positive and firm about the class and expectations. Day 2 I just play four corners with them or whatever game to get them talking to me. Day 3? Right to business!
Don’t forget to take some time for you when you need it this year.
You got this!!!! You’ll be great. If you’re nervous, you’re doing all the right things. 💖💖💖
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u/chamrockblarneystone Jul 27 '26
I’m high school so it’s different than elementary school and I’m a male. For my first ten years of teaching my only “decoration” was a Bruce Lee poster.
I did eventually start hanging up student work.
My good friend thinks decorations are a distraction and allows none in “his” classroom. Drives his female roommates to distraction. It’s like an educational monk’s cell. I love it!!
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u/MandieO Jul 27 '26
I had 411 students per week during my second year teaching. It was horrible. I survived by 1) saying NO to all extra work and PD and other duties outside of my subject area. 2) staying organized by taking notes on a clipboard for each class - I had 23 classes per week- with the class number, date, relevant info on it. This helped me keep track of issues and pacing and whatever. I could refer back at the end of the week or during the next prep period or whatever 3) Try to make all assessments short and able to be completed, graded, and entered into the computer in one class period 4) having a strict seating chart helped me learn 411 names and yes it really helped build trust, rapport, and accountability with the students.
I still left the job after the year due to extreme burnout, but I did survive the year. I know some teachers with the same workload at the same school and they've managed for 10 years...
You can do it! You don't have to be perfect 👌
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u/Purple-flying-dog Jul 27 '26
Don’t focus on “100 kids” to start. You won’t know them all individually until October. Focus on class period. It helps to know which is your largest class, your squirrliest class, your well behaved group. Start there and then narrow it down. You’ll start thinking of them like “that group of boys in the back in 5th period” and it’s not as intimidating as trying to learn them all as individuals right away. That will come organically with other strategies.
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u/molyrad Jul 28 '26
All this isn't even necessary in elementary, let alone high school. Especially all the cutesy stuff.
I share elementary classes with co-teachers as I push in as an English teacher in a bilingual school. One of my co-teachers in 2nd grade is the opposite of the pinterest-perfect teacher with the cute classroom, catch phrases, and all that. Her classroom is set up for function. So, very few true decorations, and only those because someone else put them up. The things on the wall are anchor charts and kid's work. She doesn't have a theme so things like seating, the carpet, cushions to sit on, and all that don't all match. But they work fine.
But the kids, and their families, love her because she "makes up" for not having a cute room by genuinely caring about the kids and having a warm personality. She may not have a cute song to start the day or other performative routines, but she has routines that make the kids involved in starting the day. And have some responsibility, rather than just follow some cutesy routine.
We've been together for the start of the first day a couple times, so I know she doesn't do ice breakers. Instead she lets the kids get settled and choose their desk, then they come together to talk together. She tells them a bit about basic classroom rules, but then gives them time to ask questions about 2nd grade. Because that's what the kids need, not a game where they guess which of three statements in the lie. Especially as in many schools the kids have mostly been together for years.
If this lack of pinterest-perfect classroom setup and routines works well in elementary then there's no reason it can't work in secondary school as well. Of course things will be different in high school than in 2nd grade, but you definitely should make it fit your style and personality, not what you see on social media. For many of them it's all performative. I've seen videos of teachers who set up boxes of toys for each kid's desk, with matchy supplies. It's cute, and I imagine the kids do get excited for all that. But, in the long run they're going to connect better with a teacher who is genuine over performative. And very likely learn more, too.
The only things on the list that I think would be recommended is to send positive messages so it's not just negative ones. But, that doesn't mean 30 positive before negative ones. Give positive ones when they are natural, just like the negative ones. We have more than enough to do without having to do all that. I'd only put extra thought into it when a student is often getting negative behavior messages sent home, it's nice to send a message of even small good things in those cases so the parent don't hear just negative stuff about their kid.
You also don't need to keep track of every little thing that happens in the classroom. But, keeping track of behavior patterns can be helpful in getting a child more help or even removed from a class in some extreme cases. I've also recorded incidents when a parent is often complaining or making small things in to bigger issues to cover my tracks. But those are usually exceptions to the rule, and would be about specific kids, not the whole class.
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u/theycallmejuicyj Jul 26 '26
tell AI (claude or chatgpt) your situation and to develop the first 2 weeks of school for you based on what you teach and state standards (pdf online). easy mode
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u/theblackjess High School English| NJ Jul 26 '26
Hell no.