Beginning Teacher Tips: An Important Letter to My Younger Self

Inside: Read an honest self-reflective letter about some practical insider information with beginning teacher tips to help you thrive as a new professional.

Do you ever wish you could board the DeLorean from Back to the Future so that you could talk to yourself as a beginning teacher? To impart the tips you’ve learnt from your years of wisdom and the benefits of time?

I sometimes think it would have helped me coming out of university, to know what I know now,

What would YOU say to yourself?

What helpful advice would you give yourself as a new teacher, as you wrap your arm around your shoulder as a caring friend would?

Or would you slap yourself on the cheek, draw your younger self close and grab your face to tell her the truths about the reality of teaching? LOL!!

Sometimes I think this is necessary because as a fresh-face graduate you really don’t know what you’re up for in education.

Would you remind yourself of the fundamental importance to get plenty of sleep?

Would you tell yourself what a waste of time it is to have a Pinterest-worthy classroom?

I think if I knew then what I know now, I might have saved myself lots of overwhelm, heartache and stress.

Here’s the letter I’d write to myself as a new teacher if I had the chance.

DON’T DO IT!!!! …

No… maybe I wouldn’t start like that. Ha Ha!!

But sometimes I do think this. Because in reality teaching is tough!

Ok, I’m really starting now…

Dear beginning teacher,

(Yes, you with the worried look on your face.) That was me… or you might have had the face of excitement and eagerness.

I want you to believe and know you are so capable, my friend, and you have so much to give. You have ALL the skills required to be awesome in your new teaching career, BUT… I need you to be aware of some essentials before you start.

Beginning teacher tips – **please take note**

Firstly, I should remind you how incredibly important it is to take care of yourself.

Know that teaching is just a job like any other, but it has the ability to take over your life if you let it.

Focus on work-life balance from day one!

When you get home from school and you’re exhausted (and you WILL be) – make sure to lie down and have a rest if you need it. Remember you’re not weak if you are tired. But, if you are tired and don’t rest, your health WILL suffer.

Sleep is the key to your success.

Secondly, be kind to yourself – not everything is going to go right – expect that, and move on. It’s ok, you will learn as you go. Just keep reflecting and making improvements. Teaching is a journey.

Other tips for beginning teachers that are important to know:

Next, here are my tips that I recommend to follow to help save you some time and stress:

1. Ask for help when you need it – your behaviour management is probably going to be crap, to begin with – acknowledge it and get some help. There is great wisdom in many classrooms, you just have to ask
2. Seek a mentor – this is very important. Sometimes you are allocated one at your school, but if you aren’t, find someone you trust and ask them to mentor you – it will save you lots of stress and sleepless nights
3. Learn to take care of your voice – this is one of those things that never seems to be taught to teachers, but is a very important step. (Read this article about Voice care for a starting point)
4. Implement a self-care routine and stick to it – this is needed so you will have longevity in your career and minimise your chance of burnout
5. MANAGE YOUR STRESS!!. This is a big one. If you’re not careful stress will creep up on you and WILL lead to burnout! (Read here for some great stress relieving ideas)
6. Eat healthy food and don’t skip meals. You will pay for it later when you are so hungry and grab for the chips or junk food when you get home. Here are some quick & easy snack ideas for busy teachers
7. Take your lunch breaks at school and sit down to eat – trust me you’ll need to do this for your own sanity
8. Have a notepad beside your bed – a great tip for uninterrupted sleep. (You will have so much going around in your brain you’ll need to write them all down)
9. Remember, It will get easier! Believe me 🙂
10. You’ve got this! Realise that you don’t have to know everything in your first week. Write down your questions and keep asking.
11. Get organised. Get a good system of time management and productivity going in your classroom. Read here for some other easy tips to be productive with your time
12. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. (your bladder will settle down after about a week)
13. Take your sick leave when you’re ill. This is important! Even when you think it’s easier to go to school – DON’T!!
14. Don’t rely on stimulants like coffee and wine to help you get through.
15. Collaborate with colleagues. This will save you a ton of time
16. Keep all your resources in files to reuse again the next year. Print your templates and file them into ring binders to save time.
17. Have a clear Classroom Management Plan in place. This will save you lots of grief.

Some other great Articles to help you:

• How to Work Smarter, Not Harder as a Teacher
• 12 Strategies for a Successful Classroom Management Plan + Free Voice Levels Poster
• 7 Quick Time-Saving Tips for Teachers
• Fun Attention Getters for the Classroom + Freebie

I think I could just keep adding to this list.

As a more seasoned teacher, you do realise that you learn so much over the years, so it’s hard to remember and share it all here. But I’ll keep adding to this list as I think of things.

I want you to know that as a beginning teacher you have the wonderful resource of energy, so make sure you reserve it, where you can, and LOOK AFTER YOURSELF!

Have I said this enough yet?!

Good luck, my friend. You are starting the greatest profession in the world – the creator of all professions. (If you need a bit of inspiration, read here for some quotes I love + free printable posters)

Sign up here and receive lifetime access to the free printable Resource Library. It will give you some terrific resources to make your life easier, and you start off.

Remember you are worth it!

Additional Resources:

I highly recommend the following teaching blogs for support for teachers:

• Angela Watson’s: The Cornerstone For Teachers
• Teach 4 the Heart

These both have their own excellent podcast for teachers too, which have some great tips for beginning teachers.

Michelle xx