What Should I Focus on in My First Year of Teaching?

"Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Teaching with Valor, where we’re here to support every teacher’s journey to becoming the best they can be—lesson by lesson, day by day. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today’s episode is one I’m particularly excited about. We’re going to be talking about that transformative, challenging, and, let’s face it, sometimes overwhelming first year of teaching. We’ll be answering one of the most common questions new teachers have: What should I focus on in my first year?

If you’re a new teacher or someone who remembers their first year, you know it’s a time of intense learning, growth, and sometimes a few stumbling blocks. There’s so much to learn, from lesson planning to classroom management, that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the thing: your first year doesn’t have to be perfect. Instead, it’s about building a strong foundation for your teaching career, learning as you go, and focusing on a few key areas that will set you up for success.

Show Notes

For more information on this topic checkout the following resources: 

• Edutopia – First-Year Teacher Tips: www.edutopia.org
• The New Teacher’s Guide to Success by National Education Association: A resource with advice and strategies for new teachers.
• TeachersPayTeachers – Classroom Management Resources: Tools and strategies for establishing effective classroom routines.
• Mindful Schools – Teacher Self-Care Practices: Ideas for incorporating self-care into your daily routine.
• The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong: A classic resource on building strong foundations in classroom management and lesson planning.

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:09

"Welcome to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we dive into the heart of education, helping teachers, parents, and students thrive. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and if you’re passionate about making a difference in education, you’ve come to the right place. Before we jump into today’s deep dive episode, I’d like to ask for your support. If you find value in these conversations, please take a moment to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your fellow educators and parents. Your support helps us reach more people, empowering more teachers and families to navigate the challenges of education with confidence and courage. So hit that subscribe button, share this episode, and let’s continue to grow this community together." Today’s episode is one I’m particularly excited about. We’re going to be talking about that transformative, challenging, and, let’s face it, sometimes overwhelming first year of teaching. We’ll be answering one of the most common questions new teachers have: What should I focus on in my first year? If you’re a new teacher or someone who remembers their first year, you know it’s a time of intense learning, growth, and sometimes a few stumbling blocks. There’s so much to learn, from lesson planning to classroom management, that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the thing: your first year doesn’t have to be perfect. Instead, it’s about building a strong foundation for your teaching career, learning as you go, and focusing on a few key areas that will set you up for success. So, whether you’re preparing for your first year or just here to gain some perspective, let’s dive into what truly matters in that first year of teaching and how to make it a rewarding experience." In our first segment we look at Building Relationships with Students and Creating a Positive Classroom Culture."Let’s start with one of the most important aspects of teaching: building relationships with your students. For any new teacher, creating a positive classroom culture should be a top priority. This isn’t about being the‘cool’ teacher; it’s about being the teacher who students know cares about them, who they trust, and who they feel respected by. When students know their teacher cares, they’re more likely to engage, work hard, and respect classroom norms. Begin by focusing on getting to know each student individually. Take time in the first few weeks to learn about their interests, hobbies, and backgrounds. This isn’t just for fun—it builds the trust that will support classroom management and engagement throughout the year. Simple things like greeting each student at the door or having quick one-on-one check-ins can make a world of difference. When students feel seen and valued, it creates a ripple effect. They become more receptive, cooperative, and open to the learning experience. Creating a positive classroom culture also involves setting clear, consistent expectations. Communicate these expectations from day one, and don’t assume students will automatically understand or remember them. Create a routine around them—whether it’s how to ask a question, move between activities, or show respect during group discussions. And don’t forget, students are watching and learning from your behavior as well. Model the respect and kindness you want to see, and reinforce positive behaviors when you see them. Your first year is about planting the seeds for a classroom culture that can grow and thrive.""Now that we’ve discussed relationships and culture, let’s move on to a second critical focus area: classroom management.""Classroom management: those two words are enough to strike fear into the hearts of many first-year teachers. And, honestly, that’s because it’s one of the most challenging parts of teaching, especially when you’re just starting out. But here’s the secret: effective classroom management is about more than discipline. It’s about creating an environment where students feel safe, respected, and engaged. And that starts with clear, consistent routines and expectations. One of the best things you can do in your first year is to establish routines that guide every part of the day. Think about everything, from how students enter the classroom to how they submit work, and design a procedure for it. When students know what to expect, they’re less likely to act out or test boundaries. It’s not about controlling them; it’s about creating a predictable structure that helps everyone focus on learning. In addition to routines, you’ll want to develop a set of class rules. Keep these simple and stick to just a handful of rules that cover respect, responsibility, and effort. Frame your rules positively whenever possible. Instead of‘Don’t talk when others are speaking,’ try‘Listening when others are sharing.’ And remember, consistency is key. If you enforce rules sometimes but let them slide at other times, students will quickly learn to test boundaries. Another important aspect of classroom management is finding ways to reinforce positive behavior. A simple acknowledgment, a smile, or a few encouraging words can go a long way. When students see that positive behavior is recognized and valued, they’re more likely to continue it. Your first year is the perfect time to experiment with different strategies—whether it’s a point system, a reward day, or simple verbal recognition—to find what resonates with your students and your teaching style.""With classroom culture and management underway, let’s talk about one of the biggest challenges for new teachers—planning and delivering effective lessons.""Planning lessons is one of the most time-consuming tasks for new teachers. There’s so much to consider: standards, objectives, activities, assessments—and if you’re not careful, it can take up all your time. My advice? Start simple. In your first year, your goal should be to create clear, manageable lesson plans that cover the basics and keep students engaged. The key to good lesson planning is setting clear, achievable objectives. Ask yourself,‘What do I want students to learn by the end of this lesson?’ Once you have a clear objective, the activities and assessments will naturally fall into place. And remember, it’s okay to keep it straightforward. You don’t need complicated, Pinterest-worthy projects to be effective. Sometimes, the best lessons are the simplest. But here’s the thing: no matter how well you plan, things won’t always go as expected. Maybe an activity takes longer than you thought, or students struggle with a concept you assumed would be easy. That’s normal, and it’s where flexibility comes in. Be prepared to adjust on the fly. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to shift gears or try a different approach. Flexibility is a huge part of effective teaching, and it’s a skill that grows over time. Another key point here is to avoid overwhelming yourself by trying to plan too far ahead. Start with a week or two at a time, and adjust based on how students are responding. Your first year is as much about learning what works for you as it is about teaching content to your students.""Lesson planning is just one part of the academic puzzle. Next, let’s talk about assessment and feedback: an area where new teachers can make a big impact.""Assessment and feedback are essential parts of the learning process, but for new teachers, it can be tricky to find a balance. You want to assess students regularly to understand their progress, but you don’t want to over-test or overwhelm them with grades. In your first year, aim to focus on formative assessments—those low-stakes checks that give you a glimpse into students’ understanding without the pressure of a big test. Formative assessments can be as simple as an exit ticket, a quick quiz, or even an in-class discussion. These little snapshots help you gauge how well students are grasping the material and allow you to adjust your teaching as needed. They also give students a sense of their own progress, which is motivating and confidence-building. When it comes to feedback, remember that it doesn’t always have to be in-depth or written. A quick comment like‘Great job identifying the main idea’ or‘Try to check your work for small errors’ can be just as effective as a paragraph of feedback. Focus on specific, actionable feedback that students can immediately apply. For instance, instead of saying‘Your writing needs work,’ try,‘Focus on using complete sentences and descriptive language in your writing.’ And finally, remember that grades are only one part of the assessment equation. In your first year, it’s easy to get bogged down in the numbers, but your goal should be to support growth, not just measure it. Use assessments as tools to help students understand where they are and where they need to go, and let feedback be a pathway for improvement.""Now, let’s turn to another crucial area for new teachers: the importance of self-care and setting boundaries to avoid burnout.""The first year of teaching is intense. You’re learning, adapting, and working hard, often putting in long hours. But here’s the thing: burnout is real, and if you’re not careful, it can sneak up on you before you even realize it. That’s why self-care is critical from day one. One of the best things you can do is to set boundaries. Decide early on when you’ll leave school each day, and stick to it as much as possible. It’s tempting to stay late to get everything done, but the work will still be there tomorrow. Prioritize what absolutely needs to be done, and give yourself permission to let some tasks wait. Another tip is to find a support system, whether it’s a mentor, a group of fellow new teachers, or even an online community. Teaching is challenging, and having people to talk to who understand what you’re going through can make a huge difference. They can offer advice, share resources, and remind you that you’re not alone in this journey. And remember, self-care isn’t just about rest. It’s also about finding joy in what you’re doing. Take time to celebrate small victories, whether it’s a lesson that went well, a breakthrough with a challenging student, or a compliment from a parent. Those moments matter, and they’re what keep you grounded during the tough days.""Now that we’ve covered the essentials for surviving and thriving in your first year, let’s move into our bonus segment, where we’ll answer a question from parents about how they can support their child’s new teacher.""Parents often ask, How can I support my child’s teacher during their first year? It’s a great question, and it shows that parents understand the unique challenges that new teachers face. One way parents can support is by fostering open communication. If there’s anything your child needs help with or if there’s feedback you’d like to share, reach out. Most new teachers are eager to hear from parents and appreciate constructive feedback that helps them meet students’ needs. Another way is to offer positive reinforcement. A quick note or email saying,‘Thank you for the work you’re doing with my child’ can mean a lot to a new teacher who might be feeling overwhelmed. Encouragement goes a long way in helping new teachers feel valued and motivated. Lastly, if your schedule allows, consider volunteering or helping out with class events. New teachers are juggling a lot, and having an extra set of hands, especially during activities or field trips, can make a huge difference." Now, lets look at todays episode takeaways."The first year of teaching is an incredible journey filled with growth, learning, and sometimes, a few challenges. But by focusing on building relationships, creating a positive classroom culture, managing routines, planning effective lessons, providing meaningful feedback, and taking care of yourself, you’re laying the foundation for a successful career in education. Thank you for joining us on today’s episode of Teaching with Valor. For more resources on navigating your first year and building your teaching practice, check out the links in our episode description. Remember, no one expects perfection in your first year—it’s all about progress, patience, and resilience. Keep teaching, keep growing, and as always, keep teaching with valor."