What to Expect as a New Teacher

Becoming a new teacher is exciting, but also overwhelming. There is so much to learn in a short amount of time. Each school or district has its own nuances one must learn in order to be successful. However, there are commonalities a new teacher faces no matter where or what they teach.

This post will cover 5 of those commonalities in efforts to make a smoother transition for a new teacher.

Be Comfortable Learning as you Go

You will not be able to know every thing about everything. Set the expectation for yourself that there will be things you know, things you don’t know and things you’ll forget that you know. All of that is part of the learning process. You don’t expect your students to be perfect, so don’t expect that of yourself.

Thrive in Chaos

Until you figure out your style of teaching and routines or structure for students to operate in the classroom, chaos will be the norm. Control what you can control, make adjustments in the moment and get better every day. Thriving in chaos is possible as long as you continue to solidify your expectations and hold students accountable to meeting them every day. Slow progress wins the race.

Being New is Helpful Too

Never apologize for being a new teacher. New teachers bring energy and excitement that has diminished for veteran colleagues over the years. Just because you are new doesn’t mean you don’t have great ideas or contributions. Speak up, own your newness, and allow your true self to be seen. It’s a two-way street- your colleagues will grow because of your influence too.

Advocate for Yourself

You might think someone should know what you need or want, but many times there are so many factors at play during the school day that your confusion or lack of knowledge may go unnoticed. Let others know what you need or want, even if you feel like it is a silly request or something you’ve been told before and can’t remember the answer. Many times what is obvious to someone in the profession for a long time is not even on the radar for a new teacher. Colleagues and other staff members want to help you and want you to be successful, so don’t wait for clarity- advocate for it!

It will all Come Together

In the beginning, you might feel like you’ll never get the hang of the curriculum, friendship circles, timing of the copier machine availability, engagement strategies, or even classroom management techniques. Your path may be up and down with a upside down curly q mixed in, but overall you will grow and strengthen every month. By the end of the year, you’ll look back and remember how overwhelmed you were and how hard everything felt at once. But you’ll have found your flow and ways to manage your workload. It will all come together in the end, as long as you keep moving forward.

Additional Reading Recommendations

The following blogs and books will further set you up for success by sharing more tips in greater detail.

Blogs:

• Cultivating Capacity: Nurturing New Teachers into Impactful Educators 
• New Teacher Words of Wisdom
• New Teachers Change Lives Too – Part 1
• New Teachers Change Lives Too- Part 2
• Advice from a New Teacher for a New Teacher
• Advice for New Teachers
• 3rd Grade Only: What to Expect When Teaching Third Graders

Books:

• Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach you in College
• Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success

And if you love a good swag option, grab the #newteacherlife cozy t-shirt– great for dress down Fridays at school!

Want more support? Browse our full collection of printable and digital tools. You can also read more helpful posts on the blog.

GO BE GREAT!