Tips for New Teachers: How to Start a New School Year
Starting a new school year is an opportunity for everyone to begin again: teachers, students, staff, parents, bus drivers . . . it’s an opportunity to start fresh! However, the challenge for a new teacher is the lack of experience starting a new year. Therefore, I’ve pulled together my top tips for a new teacher, and even veteran teachers, to start a new school year with success.
Although there is much excitement each August, there may also be some challenges that come along. These tips for a new teacher will put him/her ahead of the learning curve. This allows the teacher and students to experience success.
Therefore, in this post, I share valuable resources and expert suggestions, based on my thirty-plus years of teaching experience across all grades, for PK-6 educators.
As a teacher leader, I have found a common thread for unsuccessful teachers. Early career educators, those in their first five years of the profession, don’t have the background experiences to draw upon. As a result, there is a consistent problem . . . failing to plan. This results in a year full of chaos, frustrations, and energy-draining days. When you are prepared for any challenges ahead of time, you will positively impact the work you do in your classroom this year and the learning students experience.
So grab your flair pen and teacher notebook to jot down some ideas to plan for a successful year! Remember to share your successes, questions, and other ideas in the comments below this post.
Contact and Connect with Stakeholders
One of the most impactful tips for new teachers is to know you are not alone. Most veteran teachers are happy to assist new teachers with resource sharing and advice.
Many teachers work alone with a full class and four walls. At times, it can be an overwhelming and isolating feeling. A support network will provide some comfort knowing you are not alone when challenges arise. Additionally, having another colleague available to bounce ideas around, ask questions, and be a sounding board will be effective.
New teachers should reach out to others who can provide support. Whether this is your grade level team, other teachers, community resources, or parents . . . it is helpful to have a “team approach” to teaching.
Also, don’t forget the student’s parents . . . reach out and connect with them before school starts.
Therefore, one simple act to do is to introduce yourself and share something you are looking forward to this upcoming school year. I love sending a “Welcome Back to School” postcard to my new students.
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Parents always appreciate the opportunity to connect with their child’s teacher and feel part of the learning sequences. These postcards are a great way to open the communication door.
Engaging with your school colleagues, parents, and community members will be a positive force for the work you do in the classroom. When others see you as an inclusive advocate for education, you will have more opportunities to expand the work you do and bring these learning opportunities into your classroom.
These are WIN-WIN conversations, as the student is the common denominator!
Create a To-do List
Go ahead . . . write a list. There always seems to be a mile-long “to-do list”, while the clock seems to speed along. Creating a list and working off the list helps me to remember “things” I need to do, items to purchase, and lessons and materials to prepare. When I utilize a plan, I have found that my first day and week of school are very successful and stress-free.
You should also know MANY items can be placed on this list, AND the list seems to never end!!! You’ll find that prioritizing becomes a necessity, and some “list items” don’t get done for a few weeks or months. That’s quite alright!! Don’t hesitate to keep a running “to-do” list all year to ensure you don’t forget anything important.
Map the Curriculum to Navigate the Year
When teachers create a year-long plan to map out the curriculum content they will teach, the year has better flow. When you map your curriculum, include mandatory assessments, holiday breaks, and other special events. This will ensure that the intended curriculum is taught while allowing ample time for learners to learn.
Curriculum mapping can look different for each teaching context; however, creating a map is the key to a successful year.
You don’t go on a road trip without a map, so take time to develop a Curriculum Map for a successful journey!
So grab your TEs, monthly calendars, and standards. There are several options for creating a map that fits your needs; therefore, I’ve created this Curriculum Design resource to assist you on your journey.
Start creating your Curriculum Map with my Curriculum Design Challenge Course, perfect for taking action and preparing for a stress-free and successful year!
Organize for Success
Organizing a classroom can be thought about in a similar way as organizing your house or a room in the house. Like other spaces, when organizing a classroom there are several items to consider.
These include furniture placement to allow movement throughout the room, a classroom meeting area, small group and individual workspace, a pathway for the teacher to easily move about during whole group instruction, places for students to turn in work and collect work to take home, a welcome area or foyer to the classroom, a place for lunches, snacks, coats, and shoes, student supply storage, instructional material storage, a classroom library, and anything else that you need to engage students in learning that are specific to your teaching environment.
You’ll know you have the perfect classroom organization when people can move easily throughout the room and learning takes place without transition chaos.
Create a Professional Growth Portfolio
Have you considered areas you’d like to continue growing in your profession? This aspect is the difference between a novice teacher and an expert teacher. Therefore, what is your professional development goal for this year? You can consider specific curriculum, classroom management, or instructional strategies you’d like to focus on to strengthen your instructional background or content knowledge. So start seeking out resources to begin your professional growth and design your plan for this year.
A wise Indian proverb states:
“One who learns from one who is learning . . . drinks from a running stream.”
If you’re looking for a great PD to deepen your own craft, consider the book, HEART!. One book study that I’ve led for new and veteran teachers is the book, HEART!. This is a perfect resource to use for daily reflection and an opportunity for discussions with a colleague and/or mentor.
Check out the first video in my PD HEART! series.
Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3zXqnkS
Did you know being a true educator means educators should engage in lifelong learning for themselves and facilitate the love of learning in those we educate? If you’re looking for some ideas to develop your skills and strategies, reach out to me. I’m happy to chat with you to find out your goals and assist with identifying specific professional goals, book recommendations, online courses, and other learning to meet your professional goals. I am happy to support you along your professional journey!
Plan for Emotional Transitions
Starting a new year can bring a mix of emotions such as anxiety, fear, joy, excitement, loneliness, hope, and wonder. It is important to understand these emotions may be exhibited in different ways by teachers, parents, and students.
Keep these emotions in mind as lessons are planned for the first few weeks of school. Therefore, planning should include fun getting-to-know-you activities, games, and clear expectations building a cohesive learning environment, as everyone settles into new routines, procedures, and schedules.
One of my favorite picture books to use to assist students in the transition back to school is “All Are Welcome“! This book helps each student see how all children are going through this “new challenge”, leaving their secure home space, and coming together to form a community.
I created this resource featuring how to use this book not only for welcoming students to school, but also for literacy instruction.
You can see more ways to use this book for instruction on my YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new instructional videos featuring picture books to use in the classroom.
Begin the Day by Including Literacy
One tip I highly recommend is to keep a stash of books on hand. Therefore, I always use picture books to build a positive classroom culture at the beginning of the school year AND use it for reading and writing lessons. The nice thing about books, they can be used several times over the year for a variety of lessons.
Whether you are using the book for reading or writing instruction, building background knowledge, or teaching a concept, these books can have a huge impact throughout the year. I’m excited to share some of my favorites with resources and Amazon links!
Do you see a book you’d like to use with your students? I’ve included the Amazon links for easy ordering to all books. Just click on the picture to purchase your book. Additionally, I have included a lesson resource link to use the book in your classroom. This link can be found under each picture when available.
Tips for a New Teacher . . . Yes, There’s More
Alright, my friend, I know this post is packed with lots of information. Although I’ve shared several tips for a new teacher to be successful in his/her first year, there is more for you. Are you ready for more tips? Great!
In this free resource linked below, I’ve outlined additional tips for a first-year teacher and veteran teachers. As a result, you will continue to fill your teacher toolbox with more strategies and resources to start your year off successfully!
My goal in this resource is to share my top 10 essentials for planning a successful new school year that saves you time and leads to a stress-free and successful year.
When a year is properly planned, a teacher will feel energized, enthusiastic, and ecstatic! Don’t you want this teacher to be YOU?
Enjoy prepping and beginning this new year with this free resource!! Download this free resource for even more tips to start a year with success.
Additional Tips for a New Teacher: Related Resources
As you can see, starting a new school year can be challenging and there is a lot of aspects to consider. I have found when I connect with the various resources in my school community, my students benefit from each connection. Being an educator in today’s classroom means networking and connecting with others. Here are additional resources that can support your work.
Top 5 Tips for a Successful Year
Start a New School Year: Final Thoughts
My friends, we know teaching can be a challenging and lonely profession. As a matter of fact, the first five years in a teacher’s career are the most challenging. Therefore, using the tips for a new teacher and veteran teachers that I’ve shared today will aid every teacher.
Remember, taking time to plan, using your resources, and reaching out to veteran educators helps you be the best educator you can be for the students in your classroom. Soon you’ll notice other educators, parents, and staff members will be reaching out to you for additional support in the educational work they do everyday.
Education is a two-way road . . . it’s a give and take. It’s simply teamwork:
Together Everyone Achieves More!
KEYWORDS: tips for a first-year teacher, tips for a new teacher
