Congratulations on your new teaching job! Being a first year teacher is exciting, but can also be overwhelming at times. Here are 10 tips and tricks to help your first year teaching be successful and help you have a great year.
1. Before the first day of school, create a well thought out classroom management plan.
As a first year teacher, this is probably the most important thing you can do before your students arrive on the first day. Think through your classroom management plan and what routines and procedures you want students to practice those first few weeks of school. Stay consistent with your expectation and review the rules often. Think through:
- What classroom rules will your class use?
- What consequences will students have for not following the rules?
- Will you set up a reward system?
- How will students get your attention?
- When can students use the bathroom, get a drink, sharpen pencils, etc?
- How will you hold students accountable for incomplete work?
- What will students do once they are finished with their assignment?
- How will you communicate with families?
2. Build relationships with your students
Greet them at the door each morning and learn about them and their interests. This helps so much with setting up a positive classroom community.
