Did you just land your first teaching job? CONGRATULATIONS! That is a huge accomplishment! The first year of teaching is definitely the hardest. I put together 5 first year teacher tips to help you prepare for the school year and ease some of your anxiety!
1. You don’t need a “Pinterest perfect” classroom.
When I got my first teaching job, one of the first things I did was head to Pinterest. There are thousands of classroom decorating ideas on Pinterest and 99.99% of them are completely overwhelming (cute…but overwhelming). Your classroom doesn’t have to be totally decorated when students come in. I leave most of my walls blank because I end up covering them with anchor charts or student work.
I would focus on one or two spots in your classroom to completely decorate, and then do the rest as the year continues. I focus on my book nook (classroom library) and small group area (because this is the spot I use the most).
Some of my “must haves” for my classroom that I use all the time:
- Better than Paper Bulletin Board paper
- Rainbow Rolly Cart
- a rug (there are so many options – mine was donated from a carpet company)
- Calendar Pocket Chart (especially for primary grades)
- Pencil Sharpener and Pencil “Cups” to hold Sharpened and Unsharpened Pencils
- Personal laminator (trust me.. you need this)
2. Come up with a classroom management system.
This is one of the most daunting and challenging tasks for first year teachers – understandable so! There are various ways to handle classroom management.
Here are a few options:
- Clip charts (Personally, I don’t like these.)
- ClassDojo (This is what I use and I love it!)
- Classroom Economy (I know a lot of teachers who use this.)
- Brag Tags (I tried this and it went really well, it is just a lot to keep up with)
Remember, what works for one teacher, might not work for you. THAT IS OKAY! Find what works best for YOU to keep a controlled classroom environment.
3. Come up with a system for basic procedures.
This is my biggest tip for first year teachers!!! You need a system for everything in your classroom. Before the first day of school, download my free procedure guide and come up with a system for each one. That way when a student asks a question, you know exactly what to tell them!
4. Make a detailed plan for the first week (or 2).
Once you have your schedule, come up with a detailed plan for the first 2 weeks. During the first 2 weeks you should focus on teaching procedures, building a classroom community, and reviewing skills from the previous grade. Don’t make it too complicated! Leave time for practicing walking in the hallways, putting materials away, organizing supplies, practicing “carpet time,” and having some fun!
5. Give yourself grace.
You will never have another first day of teaching, so give yourself some grace. You do not need to have everything put together. Remember to breathe and smile! Your students will love you no matter what your classroom looks like – I promise!
Being a teacher is hard work, but it is so rewarding. If you follow these tips, you will be more prepared than I ever was as a first year teacher! You are well on your way to be “rookie of the year.” Congratulations on landing your first teaching job! I hope you took some time to celebrate this next stage of your career. You got this!!!!
