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Top 5 Tips for Beginning Teachers

August 10, 2016

Hi guys! I wanted to stop by today and give some tips for brand new teachers! I know so many of you are back in school, and some of you are in your very first staff development! Your first year of teaching is truly such a special time, and I wish I could come along side you and hug you and buy you flair pens! For those of you that aren’t new teachers, I truly hope this post is helpful to you too! Every year I learn so many new things, and these tips are things I have learned along the way!

5 Tips for Beginning Teacher. Blog Post for Brand New Teachers.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give a new teacher is keep it simple! It can be SO overwhelming knowing the best way to teach things, and wanting to be the very best every single day. Sometimes the most simple lessons have the most powerful return! Things don’t always have to look picture perfect to be a learning opportunity! Like this simple anchor chart! It took me just a few seconds to make, but we referenced it all year long!

5 Tips for Beginning and Brand New Teachers for a Successful School Year.

Interactive and Shared Writing is one of easiest ways to make whole group lessons engaging, and the kiddos LOVE seeing their writing all over the walls! When I realized my kiddos weren’t doing their best on their work, this was an easy no-prep lesson for the very beginning of the year! Once we did this lesson, my students knew exactly what was expected during writing time and anytime they were expected to illustrate! When my kiddos struggled with decomposing numbers, our Math curriculum had the most perfect lesson and it didn’t require any preparation! All of these anchor charts were simple, but did the trick and provided a great mini-lesson!

   illustratos                  Peas and Carrots

For this activity, kiddos showed 3 different ways to make 10 using blocks and then drew it in their math journals! 🙂

Decomposing Numbers activity. Students use blocks to show different ways of making 10.

All of these lessons were simple, low-prep and didn’t involve reinventing the wheel! 🙂

Beginning of the Year Tips for New Teachers. Back to School tips for Beginning Teachers.

My 2nd tip is a lesson I learned from experience. My first year, I didn’t rely on my team as much as I should have. I thought that I knew more than I did, and I just didn’t foster those relationships the way that I should have. I KNOW some teams are easier to work with than others, and my heart hurts when I hear teachers who don’t get along with their team. But I totally believe that we can only control the way WE respond to others, and making sure I am always kind, professional, and helpful to my team has never steered me wrong! I love getting little gifts too…it’s an easy way to say “I appreciate you” and a small gift can go a LONG way! 🙂

Team Gifts for Flair Pens. Great for Teacher Appreciation Week.        Halloween School Sunshine Idea. Great way to boost Teacher Morale.

Beginning of the Year tips for new teachers. Back to School for Beginning Teachers. Great ways to stay organized for new teachers.

Staying organized is the one of the most important things for ANY teacher, but especially new teachers. I am truly one of the messiest people I know. The ONLY way I survived is teacher binders, to-do lists, and a semi-organized classroom (thanks to friends who are much neater than I, haha!)

Class Newsletters for Easy Organization. Great tips for new teachers.

Keeping a class newsletter was an easy way to stay organized and keep parents informed! It kept me looking ahead, made sure I didn’t miss important dates, and parents loved it!

calendar

Even if you don’t keep a teacher binder, making sure you have a planner you love is essential! You can find adorable planners at Target too! Some teachers love desk calendars, and some love something on their wall! This year, I started using my Google Calendar and it helped a TON!! When I start to feel overwhelmed, I always sit down for a few minutes and make a list. Things feel much more manageable when they’re written down! 🙂

to do list

Focus on Management

During your first year, classroom management is often the hardest part. Always, always, always focus on the positive! I used Class Dojo, a clip chart, and several other things in my room. At the end of the day, I truly believe that positive always worked better!

Mystery Motivators are super easy to use! Simply choose a reward (I choose Decorate Cupcakes) and when the WHOLE class is on task, they earn a letter! Depending on how quickly you want them to earn the reward determines how freely you give out letters! 🙂

Cupcakes

Here are some other posts on Behavior Management that might be useful to you! 🙂 

Tips for New Teachers. Great blog post for back to school and beginning teachers.

My final tip is the one I think is MOST important! You will never have your first class back, and you will always, always remember those sweet kiddos. When things get too challenging or stressful, take a step back. Sit on the floor with your babies and enjoy them. Laugh with them at recess. Dance with them to Go Noodle. THOSE are the moments you will never forget! There are some days you will just want to cry…or scream. And those days are the days you need THEM the most. Hug them tight and listen to them. Learn about what they love, and listen to what they think is funny. THEY make it all worth it! 🙂

I hope each and every one of you has a FABULOUS first year! If you need to vent, ask questions, or just have a new teacher friend, you can always contact me and I’m happy to help!! 🙂 Happy  Teaching!

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Filed Under: Behavior Management, New Teachers, Organization 5 Comments

Comments

  1. Karley says

    August 11, 2016 at 6:57 am

    You seem like such a sweet teaching! I am a first year preschool teacher (who actually should be working on her classroom but got sidetracked). Reading your blog makes me feel like someone gets it! I keep hearing teachers say we have all been there before, but seeing someone explain the tips for a great first year is so helpful. I’ve already spent countless hours prepping, so I really think I need to focus on the keeping it simple. Thanks Haley for a great blog- I now have you bookmarked 💕☺️

    Reply
    • Haley O'Connor says

      August 11, 2016 at 7:26 pm

      Hi Karley! I’m so, so thankful this post helped you!! Your first year is so scary, but also so exciting!! Keep it simple and love on those babies!!

      Reply
  2. Lydia says

    August 11, 2016 at 9:43 am

    I’m really impressed with this

    Reply
  3. Michelle Cotter says

    August 11, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    In hopes of getting my classroom library under control, I took advantage of your cute, free book bin labels, love ’em! I was wondering if you would consider making small labels with matching graphics to put on the front of each book. I have a terrible time getting my 2nd graders to put books back in the bin they got them from! I was thinking if the sticker on each book looked like the one on the bin it might make a difference. I think if you sell them they would be really popular! I would pay you for them if you think this is something you would be interested in creating.
    Who knows, this could be the year my classroom library stays organized!!

    Let me know what you think.
    Thanks,

    Michelle

    Reply
    • Haley O'Connor says

      August 11, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      Hi Michelle! That’s a great idea! Unfortunately, at this time, I’m not taking custom orders! I know there are SO many cute library labels on TPT though!! 🙂

      Reply

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