What Every New Teacher Needs to Know for a Successful First Year and Beyond

There’s nothing quite as exciting as your first year teaching on your own. You’ve gone through the schooling, you’ve job-shadowed, done your practicums, and everything in between. Now, you’re ready to lead the next generation of students by shaping their minds and educating them in your unique way. 

But, it’s perfectly normal to be a little nervous. Preparing and planning as much as possible will help to calm those nerves and make sure you find success throughout your first year. 

Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to achieve success while building a solid foundation for your future as an educator. 

Stand Out in Your Position 

If you haven’t yet landed a teaching position but are ready to dive in and start shaping young minds, now is the time to put your resume together and learn how to stand out from the pack.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 86% of K-12 public schools reported challenges hiring teachers for the 2023-2024 school year. But, just because there are plenty of positions open doesn’t mean you won’t have to make your case as to why you should be hired over someone else. 

Start your search online with your local school district. Most will have their websites with job openings. If you don’t see any, search public job boards like Indeed for open positions. Use technology to your advantage when you’re looking for a teaching position. Even if you’ve sent out applications and resumes, networking on sites like LinkedIn can help you meet the right people, and might even help you grow your career later on.

When it comes to applying for your first job and you are crafting your resume, consider using a pre-made template to create a design that will help you stand out. Your resume should include your education, experience, and goals. But, where you’ll really be able to let your personality shine is in your cover letter. Introduce yourself, talk about your skills, and tell a story that will intrigue the person hiring you enough to ask you to come in for an interview. 

Never Stop Growing

Professional development is important for teachers, so even if you’ve already landed a job, don’t stop looking for new connections, training programs, and growth opportunities. Most states require educators to accumulate a certain number of continued education hours each year to maintain their standing. In some states, like Michigan, teachers need to renew their certification every five years.

You may also want to consider advancing your education to prepare for what’s to come in terms of emerging technologies. For instance, AI is likely to change the future of education because it can aid with :

• Speech recognition;
• Data collection;
• Immediate feedback;
• Language skills.

A master’s degree in education can help you prepare for the ways AI technology might change the future of the classroom, and how other types of tech can be used in your curriculum today and for years to come. 

Build a Lasting Foundation

So, you’ve landed your dream teaching job and you’re ready to start your first year. That’s the easy part. Now, you have to focus on what you can do to build a strong foundation that will not only impact your students but also set you up for a long, healthy, successful career. Consider crafting a personal mission statement to constantly remind you what you want to accomplish and why you want to teach. Being true to your values and beliefs will go a long way in your career, especially on days that are frustrating and overwhelming. 

Next, find efficiencies in everyday tasks. Teacher burnout is a very real thing and can impact your physical and mental well-being, as well as how you feel about your career. By managing your time with things like self-correcting tests and forms, templates, and organizational tools, you’ll feel less flustered and overwhelmed each day. 

Additionally, make sure you’re taking time for yourself. It can sometimes be hard to strike a healthy work-life balance as a teacher, but it’s necessary. Practice daily self-care with things like: 

• Exercise
• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Journaling

Even a few minutes of self-care each day can help to prevent burnout and keep you excited and motivated about your job. Of course, that might seem easier said than done with a busy teaching schedule. Consider factoring in your sleep hygiene and how you could incorporate these things into your day. Instead of scrolling on your phone before bed, spend a few minutes meditating and journaling. Before school, get in a quick workout. On the weekends, spend time mindfully doing things you enjoy while temporarily letting go of any anxieties surrounding your career. 

Finally, don’t be afraid to be flexible. If you’re determined to stick to a rigid plan and teaching style for years, you’re not going to find long-term success. You have to be able to adapt based on the needs of your students, your district, and your well-being.

Related post: 4 Reasons Why You Need a NEW Teacher BFF

About the Author: Indiana Lee is a journalist with a focus on special needs, child development, and education, aiming to inform and influence positive changes in these areas through her writing. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

 

 

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