I remember it like it was yesterday, the “Welcome To Our School District” email, the nerves and the excitement of finally beginning my career as an educator. I was ready and a little too confident.
Looking back as I begin year seven, I realize there are many things I wish I had known before stepping foot into my classroom. Things that definitely come more with age and experience. I hope that I can instill some wisdom into each of you as I pass down some tips and tricks that I wish I had known as a first year teacher.
I do not know everything, but after many years in education and at different schools who are all unique in demographics and make up, I believe there are four tips and tricks that can help you to succeed in your first year and into the years to come:
- Build Rapport with Students
- Cultivate Relationships with Administration and Fellow Teachers
- Master Time Management
- Develop Your Skills as an Educator
Below, we'll explore each of these tips in more detail so you can use them to succeed in the classroom!
1. Build Rapport with Students
I fully believe in the saying that “students do not care how much you know until they know how much you care,” and that has rang true throughout my years of teaching.
As a first year teacher, I wasn’t as steady and sure-footed as I know I acted to be, especially when it came to building rapport with my students. I did the icebreakers and the “About Me” slide and it seemed students just weren’t engaged.
The older I have gotten, the more I have switched my gears and thinking when it comes to relationships built in my classroom. I try to focus on the student.
On the first day of school, I have each student make a name card and then I have them go around the room and introduce themselves, and tell me one fact about them. This is to ensure that I get their names down within the first few days of school. If I can do that, I usually gain a little bit of trust from them. Someone taking the time to learn your name is one of the fastest ways to build trust and form a relationship. If students feel “seen” they will want to branch out of their shell for you.
Another way to build rapport is to engage with them on a one-on-one level, whether that is sitting down at the table with them and just talking while they do their work, or before the bell asking students questions pertinent to their lives. This shows students that you listen when they speak and that you respect them as people.
This may seem simple, but it speaks volumes to your willingness to get to know your learners as individuals. Students value a teacher who will seek them out to build rapport with versus the other way around. If you wait on the students to take that step, you will be waiting longer than you may expect.
2. Cultivate Relationships with Administration and Fellow Teachers
There isn’t anything more important than having relationships with your administrators and your fellow teachers, because at the end of the day, they are the ones that will have your back. Your administrators are the ones you should be going to if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Finding a moment to sit down with your administration and tell them your goals, opportunities for students, and plans for the year, allows them to better understand your program, especially if you are a CTE teacher.
It’s also important to take accountability for what happens in your classroom before information gets back to your administrators. This allows administrators to trust your judgment along with letting them see that you will take responsibility when it is due.
For your fellow teachers, it is important to just speak with them! As a first-year teacher, it’s easy to get into the habit of speaking only with teaching partners, your subject team, or teachers with classrooms nearby. But it's important to try and have conversations with everyone! It doesn’t necessarily have to be every day, but weekly or even monthly conversations can help build rapport.
I would especially sway away from letting kids talk down about a teacher to you in a way that is disrespectful to that teacher. You have every right to let kids vent to you, especially if you have established that rapport and relationship, but set hard boundaries. Those boundaries are necessary to keep that student-teacher relationship professional and it allows the student to see that you still respect that teacher as an educator.
3. Master Time Management
Even in my seventh year as a teacher, effective time management is something I still struggle with. At the end of the day, no matter how much we care about our students, your job shouldn’t take every ounce of your time.
To protect your personal time, focus on utilizing planning periods and in-service days. Those are built in time for you to work and get things done. Make sure to always have a plan for those days, whether that is making a to-do list or just sitting and mentally preparing for the next class or day, make it your time.
Time well spent and utilized in the school building makes you feel way more productive. However, if you like to lesson plan or prep on your comfy couch at home, set a hard boundary. That could look like you only work Saturday morning from 8-11 am or only after your personal kids go to sleep or during your spouse’s sports game. Whatever boundaries you set, be sure to keep them throughout the year.
Finally, don’t add extra stress on yourself when you don’t have to. Search for resources that can help you save time in the classroom. Chances are, another teacher out there has created the lesson or a version of the lesson you are considering, those resources are out there and available for you to use.
When you look at time management outside of the school building, that should also be the time when your mental health cup is filled. Make sure to indulge in hobbies, friendships, your significant other, trips, or anything that makes your heart and your mind happy. Remember, in order to give from your cup to fill up others, you must start out with a full cup.
4. Develop Your Skills as an Educator
You will hear over and over again in education phrases like “Remember your why” or “What is your why?” While many of us more seasoned educators may roll our eyes at the statement, it should be something each of us consider and listen to but especially you as a first year.
The most important part of education is the students' lives we touch everyday. They are the reason we have a job and career to begin with.
Now, I am not saying our job is even remotely close to being easy, but it is important. Seeking out why you teach will help you to continue to adapt, learn, and develop as an educator. You should never seek mediocrity in any part of your life, but especially your career and being an educator is one of the greatest and most important career paths someone can take.
Every student who walks into your classroom is dealing with something at home and if you can honestly and truly remember your why, your classroom and your teaching abilities will be what draws students in. You will be their safe haven in times of crisis; you are their constant in a world full of uncertainty.
As you embark on this next endeavor of your life, I hope that you can think back to each of the tips and tricks that I shared with you to help you to establish rapport with students and staff, time management, and healthy boundaries for you. I'll hope they'll hope you face your classroom challenges and figure out the entire purpose of your "why." Know that there are many veteran teachers out there who are more than willing to help you out, reach out and learn and grow. I know I am cheering for each of you!
Learn More Tips for Your New CTE Classroom
Now that you've learned four of the best tips for navigating your first year as a CTE teacher, you're hopefully feeling better prepared for life in the classroom.
But you might still be wondering: are there other tricks I can use to make teaching and classroom management easier?
Thankfully, there's more tips you can use to make your first months as an educator even easier.
Learn how when you download your free infographic that outlines 7 Tips for CTE Teachers. You'll learn about how engaging in professional development, mentorship, and more can make a difference as you navigate your first year and beyond!
