New Teacher Guide - Preparing for The First Day of School
You must be flexible and prepared to handle incidents when they arise in order to be a successful teacher. If you can’t handle interruptions in your daily routine you may have trouble surviving as a teacher. — Kelly McMahon
Before Your First Day:
- Check your administrative manuals.
- Get to know the school site. Introduce yourself to the support staff.
- Plan your work carefully. There is no substitute for good planning.
- Create a temporary seating assignment.
- Prepare a welcoming, student-centered, engaging classroom environment.
- Recognize that you will not know everything; ask questions of your colleagues.
Your First Day…
- Introduce yourself and give students a short biographical sketch.
- Establish a method for learning students’ names.
- Share your expectations (PBIS Matrix) with your class.
- Review, or develop with students, your rules for behavior with the rewards and consequences.
- Rules should be written and posted in the classroom.
- Display the American Flag.
- Establish routines: Clarify your homework and makeup work policies with students.
That first morning:
- Arrive early. Allow yourself time to greet colleagues, a get any last minute questions answered, review lesson plans, get ready to greet the classroom.
In the first few weeks:
- Know where students’ files are housed so that you can consult them when needed.
- Familiarize yourself with the timelines for students’ progress reports and grading deadlines.
- Read over district/school policies and ask questions if something is not clear.
- Become familiar with the procedure for special education referrals.
- Make sure you have a substitute folder available.
- Broaden your horizons…get to know people outside your immediate environment.
- Find out the dates and the procedures for parent-teacher conferences.
- Meet with your mentor regarding evaluation procedures.
- Establish a method of communicating with parents on a regular basis.
- Talk with your mentor about getting your licensure Professional Development Plan (PDP) process started.
- Find out the process for requesting/purchasing materials.
- Prepare a powerpoint presentation for Back To School Night.
- Be good to yourself. Make sure you are eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
- Take some time to reflect on your first month as a teacher.
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Tips for Your First Year of Teaching