August 28, 2025 • 20 mins
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The classroom door closes behind you. It's just you and thirty expectant faces. Your teaching degree prepared you for lesson plans and pedagogy—but did it ready you for the real-world challenges of your first year? Whether you're a brand-new educator or a seasoned veteran, this episode delivers candid insights about navigating the often overwhelming transition into the teaching profession.
Toni Thrash unpacks the common hurdles first-year teachers face: from managing overflowing to-do lists and establishing effective classroom routines to creating engaging lessons and finding that elusive work-life balance. With warmth and honesty, she shares her own strategies for avoiding burnout, including her determined efforts to complete work during school hours rather than letting it consume evenings and weekends.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Spanish educator Andrea Ward-Fernandez shares her unique perspective on transitioning to an American classroom. Her initial culture shock at expectations around classroom decoration, precise scheduling, and school traditions offers both humor and profound insights about the unwritten rules of educational environments. Andrea's most valuable advice? "Don't be afraid to ask questions and have a teachable spirit"—wisdom that resonates for educators at any stage.
Teaching is more than lesson delivery—it's community building, continuous learning, and self-forgiveness when things don't go as planned. If you're feeling overwhelmed by classroom challenges or preparing to enter the profession, this episode offers practical strategies for seeking support, developing organizational systems, and embracing the growth that comes with each new day at the whiteboard. Remember, every master teacher was once a nervous newcomer. You've got this!
Let's create your transition gameplan:
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Is there a major life transition benching you?
I know you may be asking what'snext?
What's my purpose?
What if?
Because I've asked those too.
Welcome to the Start yourComeback Podcast.
I'm Toni Thrash, a certifiedlife coach, and I want to share
the tools and practical steps tohelp you create a winning game
(00:23):
plan to move into your newadventure.
Hi, welcome back.
You are listening to episode 99.
Today I want to discuss a topicthat is important about this
time of year, especially if youare a first year teacher or no
one.
This episode is for you, evenif you are a seasoned, veteran
(00:44):
teacher.
This might rekindle somethingyou put in a closet at the back
of your mind many years ago.
First-year teachers face asignificant learning curve as
they transition from theory topractice.
They encounter challengesrelated to classroom management,
lesson planning, studentengagement and self-care.
(01:04):
Overcoming these challengesrequires dedication, seeking
support and embracing a growthmindset.
With the first day of schoolquickly approaching, I'm gearing
up to be sure I'm well restedand hydrated, because that first
day I usually collapse earlybecause I'm so exhausted.
(01:26):
However, if this is your firstyear teaching, you might have a
few of these challenges.
You may feel overwhelmedbecause the sheer volume of the
tasks and responsibilities canseem daunting and
(01:48):
responsibilities can seemdaunting.
Classroom management,establishing routines and
setting expectations andmanaging student behavior
requires skill and practice.
The dreaded lesson planning.
Creating engaging and effectivelessons that cater to diverse
learning needs is a continuousprocess, and actually this is
one of my favorite things to doBalancing structure and fun.
(02:09):
Finding the right balancebetween structure and
flexibility in the classroom canbe challenging.
Then, and only then, do wesometimes even think about
self-care, because prioritizingyour personal well-being is
crucial to avoid burnout.
(02:29):
I have set a routine daily totake care of myself.
I do it almost every day.
It's different for everyone,but you have to figure out what
is significant for you and whatworks for you so that you're
able to savor your downtime, andwhat works for you so that
you're able to savor yourdowntime.
The other thing that I think isthe biggest issue that we and,
(02:51):
trust me, we all struggle withthis it's just time management,
because we have to effectivelymanage our time For planning and
grading and other tasks.
That is a key skill we have todevelop and here's my go-to.
I try and work extremely hard toplan all my lessons in my off
(03:15):
periods, as well as do all mygrading.
I'm a science teacher, so it'sa little bit different, I think,
but I try really hard not tobring work home Now.
There are periods during theyear I can't help it, but for
the most part I do my work atschool and that way I can take
(03:38):
care of everything while I'mthere.
If you don't mind, I'd like tolet you listen in on my
conversation with my colleague,andrea Ward-Fernandez, as we
discussed this not long ago.
As we discussed this not longago, andrea, thanks so much for
coming back for this episode onsome transitions that new
(04:02):
teachers need to learn or didn'tunderstand and are.
Here we are.
Thanks so much, toni, for havingme back.
This is an episode basically onhow new teachers to the field
that you know.
You've been to college, you'vegotten your degree, you've done
(04:24):
your student teaching, but nowyou're on your own and possibly
in a brand new school in adifferent city or, as in your
case, a different country, andthere are things that you think,
oh, this is going to be a pieceof cake because I did my
student teaching there, or I didthis while I was in Spain, but
yet then you realize it's notthe same and so that's.
(04:46):
We're just going to have aconversation about that today.
So tell our listeners kind ofwhat the biggest struggle that
you faced or obstacle that youfaced when you first started
your job here in the States, andwhat was that like.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Okay, that's an easy question.
Okay, that's an easy question.
So I, the first big obstacle.
Mind you, I've just moved to a,you know, totally new country
and I walk into my classroom andI, I mean, I didn't know what
was expected of me, and I havepeople telling me that I'm
(05:31):
expected to.
There's a lot of stuff in myclassroom when I walk in.
There's a lot of boxes that Ineed to move and that I need to
organize.
And, you know, people aretelling me, yeah, you're
expected to decorate yourclassroom.
And I'm like what?
Like wait, wait, nobody saidthis.
Like what is this?
(05:52):
This is totally new for me,because that's not something
that is done in Spain.
I mean, granted, you know,especially in elementary, middle
school, yes, there will be somedecorations, but I was trying
to think back really hard when Iwas in fifth or sixth grade and
I was like, yeah, maybe therewas one poster on the wall, but
that was it.
And so, you know, all of asudden, I walk in and I'm
(06:12):
expected to organize all thisstuff and I need to think about,
oh, like what do I want myclassroom to look like?
Am I going to put my studentsin pairs of two or four groups
of four.
Where do I want this?
Where do I want my desk?
Where do I want you know therest of the stuff?
And then, after you figure thatout, it's like, oh yeah, now
(06:35):
you need to like put wallpaperup and buy all this stuff.
And do you want a lamp?
And do you want you know thishere?
And I'm just like, wow, youknow the inside of the classroom
and also the outside.
So that that was the biggestobstacle I faced when I got here
, because this was justsomething completely foreign to
me.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
That's actually very funny.
It is funny now.
It probably wasn't funny thenbecause, if I recall, I don't
think you had a lot of days todo that because you got here so
late and I'm assuming that thattransition for you was pretty
big and pretty overwhelming atthe time.
(07:14):
Yeah, so as you get your roomdecorated and you prepare for,
like, meet the teacher, and youneed certain items, like you
need tape and staplers and andthose kinds of things how easy
you know was that and like, didyou automatically know who to go
(07:37):
to or did you have to?
You know, hey, who do I go askfor some staples?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
that's a very good question, yeah, so a lot of the
times it was summed up into Idon't know who I need to go to.
I'm just gonna ask the firstperson, like random person that
I see in the hallway or that'syou know, that has a classroom
right next to mine.
Or let me go to Kelly WonderfulKelly, kelly, if you're
listening to this, thank you.
I have gone to her many a timethroughout the year, like where
(08:07):
do I, who do I go to to get this?
Or where do I need to get this?
How go to to get this?
Or where do I need to get this,how do I do this?
And she very lovingly and, youknow, kindly redirecting me to
the right person that I neededto go to for whatever I needed
yeah, kelly is like, she's likeyour comfort zone, because I go
to her all the time for all thecrazy things.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
I get a wild crazy idea.
Then I'm, I'm in her office.
What was it like?
Like as far as it transitionedfrom like you know, I know there
was a period of time forprofessional development before
school started and then you meetthe teacher and then you're the
kids coming into classroom andand how, the functionality of
(08:47):
the time in the classroom, howdid that go for you?
The classroom, how did that gofor you changing classes for
them and and learning all of thein-between things like that.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So it was very interesting because the my
homeroom, they were also new tomiddle school, it was their
first year in middle school andso it was my first year at, you
know, our school and it wastheir first year going into
middle school.
So it was it was prettyinteresting.
But no, my kids are awesome,they're amazing and so we kind
(09:23):
of just learn together.
A lot of the times it was hard,things like being on time and,
you know, doing stuff like that.
That was a bit of a strugglefor me, just because you know,
once again, I'm coming from thisdynamic in Spain where you say
a time and you know it's aroundthat time ish, but if you're
five or ten minutes late it'sokay, and I, very early on,
(09:43):
learned that that was not athing here and that that was not
acceptable.
I remember the first time andthis is going off a little bit
of what I was saying well, it'sin the same direction but I
remember we were told that wehad to be in the cafeteria, like
downstairs in the cafeteria at105.
Like the kids had to be in thecafeteria at 105.
And so in my brain I'm like,okay, well, if we leave at about
(10:04):
103, more or less, we'll makeit in time to go downstairs and
go to the cafeteria.
Hint, no, we made it in likemaybe 107, 108, 108.
And I would come into thecafeteria and I found out that
the other classes were alreadyin there and the kids were
already eating.
So I was like, oh, I need toadjust this and I actually need
to leave my classroom at likeone so that the kids are
(10:26):
actually in the cafeteria eatingby 105.
So it was just little stufflike that that you know, slowly
but surely, I just had to learnto do.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
What would be like, maybe your top one or two things
that you would tell, like a newteacher who is coming in to our
, our school family if you will,because we are, we are a family
.
What would you tell a newteacher, maybe who's never
taught before, who's coming intoour middle school as a teacher?
(10:58):
What would be the like top oneor two things that you would
tell them is the most importantthing they need to be aware of
or to do.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
The top one thing that comes to mind is don't be
afraid to ask questions.
Don't be afraid to go up topeople and to just ask.
If you don't know wheresomething is, just ask.
If the person you're askingdoesn't know, they'll find
someone that will and you'lleventually get to what you need.
But if you are not askingquestions, I think it's going to
(11:32):
be really hard.
And just have a desire tocontinue to grow and to learn
from others who know whatthey're doing, who have been
doing this for you know a lotlonger than you and they have a
lot more experience than you do.
And so, yeah, I mean it's justsummed up and don't be afraid to
ask questions, because I mean,especially like Tony was saying,
(11:54):
you know, our school truly is afamily, and anytime I had
questions or I didn't know, youknow the route that I was
supposed to take for anything,there were always people there.
They're always willing to helpyou out and you know whatever
you need and they'll justliterally drop what they're
doing and they'll be like I'mthere, what do you need?
So don't be afraid to askquestions and have a teachable
(12:17):
spirit.
That's what I would say.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, I think that's so important because you know
I'm, because I've been a coachfor so long.
You know coaching basketballand tennis and volleyball and
all the things, and you canalways tell when someone's
coachable and willing to listenor to ask the questions.
It's so valuable to be able todo that, because then you have
(12:42):
other people who think they knowit all and they're going to do
it wrong just because you weresimply too stubborn I to ask for
help.
That's something that I'velearned gosh like.
If I don't know it, I'm gonnaask, and I never want to assume
(13:04):
that I know it all because Idon't.
What has been your favoritething?
This is your second year goingin.
We're just going to end on thisnote.
What is your favorite thingthat you've learned and found
out about living in the UnitedStates and teaching at a
(13:26):
Christian school?
What is your favorite thing sofar?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
That's a pretty big question, toni.
I think I'm going to break itdown into two, because there's
one, you know, something that Ilove about living in the US, and
then something that I loveabout teaching.
Would that be okay, absolutely.
So I think the main thing thatI've discovered and that I've
learned this year is I just lovebeing around my students, man.
(13:54):
I love getting to know them,their personalities, I just love
teaching them and I love beingaround them.
I love I'm just grateful to theLord for allowing me to to do
this job, to be able to in someway, maybe shape or form, be
able to plant a seed in them andjust help them grow and become
(14:16):
all that they want to becomeright.
And as for my most favoritething in the US, man, that's a
hard one.
I think my most favorite thingnow is just the community that I
found that the Lord has givenme throughout this past year.
It's been amazing.
All the people that I've metand, yeah, just people that the
(14:38):
Lord has just surrounded me within the whole process of
learning and growing and in anew country has just been
amazing, and I felt so supportedand so loved and so taken care
of.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
So yeah, I love that.
That's huge.
You know we love working withyou and thanks again for
agreeing to come back and haveanother conversation about a
completely different topic thanbefore, but to just share what
you've learned, share your heart, the things that you're excited
about, the things that you'velearned and the things that you
(15:12):
recommend other people learn.
I just really appreciate youcoming back and doing that.
Thanks for being here.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Absolutely, thank you .
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Gosh, can you relate to Andrea?
Some of you probably can.
She had more than most peopleto learn because of just coming
from another country and thenhaving to learn all things
American and the expectations.
So I really appreciate her forbeing here.
But before we end today, Iwanted to take a moment to
(15:44):
discuss how to overcome thelearning curve in general.
It's something that she talkeda lot about.
Number one just seek support,connect with people.
People I have found are sowilling to help and they have
such good intentions and theyhave such wisdom and and if you
go to them, they're going to bewilling to talk through some of
(16:08):
those things.
And also, just so you know, wehave a middle school guidance
counselor, or just counselor,and I utilize her all the time.
I'm always in her room for afew minutes once a month or
whatever, just to just talkthrough some things that I'm
struggling with.
The other thing that I thinkthat we have to learn and to
(16:31):
remember is to embrace and havea growth mindset, because we
have to view those challenges asopportunities for learning and
improvement.
This is an invitation to becoachable.
I am constantly learning newthings and I'm thrilled to learn
them Well.
I mean most of the time, bepatient with yourself, because
(16:53):
learning these things takes timeand it's okay to make mistakes
along the way, but one of thethings I've found is to have
some strong organizationalskills, utilize tools and
strategies to manage time andresources effectively.
There are so many cool apps andprograms out there to help us.
We need to take advantage ofthose.
(17:15):
Obviously, we need to focus onstudents' needs, making sure
that we're adapting our teachingstrategies to meet the diverse
learning styles and needs of ourstudents, and celebrate the
successes, recognize andacknowledge progress, both big
and small and I'm not justtalking about in your students,
(17:38):
but for yourself as well,especially because that's what
this whole episode is about.
Always seek to have some sortof professional development,
attend a workshop or go to aconference and training sessions
to enhance your teaching skills.
(18:00):
Now, whether you're steppinginto the classroom for the first
time or returning for your 20thyear, this episode of Start
your Comeback offers a timelyreminder of the challenges and
triumphs that come with teaching.
We talked about the steeplearning curve first teachers
face, from classroom managementand lesson planning to adapting
(18:21):
to school culture andprioritizing self-care
management and lesson planningto adapting to school culture
and prioritizing self-care.
We also heard from my colleague, andrea Ward-Fernandez, who
shared her unique journey as anew teacher from another country
.
The bottom line teaching is acalling, and while the first
year can rattle your confidence,it also has the potential to
shape you into the kind ofeducator you've always dreamed
(18:44):
of being.
Growth takes time and mistakesare part of the process, and
community is your secret weapon.
If you're a new teacher, hearme loud and clear you're not
alone.
Bookmark this episode and comeback to it as needed.
Better yet, share it with ateacher friend who could use a
dose of encouragement andpractical advice.
(19:05):
And, if you haven't already, goto my website and sign up for
all the news concerning myupcoming book Start your
Comeback that will be releasingthis October.
It's packed with tools,strategies and real life
coaching wisdom to help younavigate life's transitions.
Tools, strategies and real lifecoaching wisdom to help you
(19:27):
navigate life's transitions,including ones like the start of
a brand new career.
Stay strong, stay hydrated andremember you were chosen for
this.
You've got what it takes.
I'll see you next time.
Hey, thanks for listening.
I don't take it for grantedthat you're here.
Hey, thanks for listening.
I don't take it for grantedthat you're here.
You didn't listen by mistake.
(19:47):
If you want to reach out, youcan DM me on Instagram at Tony
Thrash Until next week.
Remember, there's still timeleft on the clock.
Let's get you off the bench tostart your comeback.
I want to give a special shoutout to Country Club for the
original music.
You can find them on Instagramat Country Club.
Is there a major life transition benching you?
I know you may be asking what'snext?
What's my purpose?
What if?
Because I've asked those too.
Welcome to the Start yourComeback Podcast.
I'm Toni Thrash, a certifiedlife coach, and I want to share
the tools and practical steps tohelp you create a winning game
(00:23):
plan to move into your newadventure.
Hi, welcome back.
You are listening to episode 99.
Today I want to discuss a topicthat is important about this
time of year, especially if youare a first year teacher or no
one.
This episode is for you, evenif you are a seasoned, veteran
(00:44):
teacher.
This might rekindle somethingyou put in a closet at the back
of your mind many years ago.
First-year teachers face asignificant learning curve as
they transition from theory topractice.
They encounter challengesrelated to classroom management,
lesson planning, studentengagement and self-care.
(01:04):
Overcoming these challengesrequires dedication, seeking
support and embracing a growthmindset.
With the first day of schoolquickly approaching, I'm gearing
up to be sure I'm well restedand hydrated, because that first
day I usually collapse earlybecause I'm so exhausted.
(01:26):
However, if this is your firstyear teaching, you might have a
few of these challenges.
You may feel overwhelmedbecause the sheer volume of the
tasks and responsibilities canseem daunting and
(01:48):
responsibilities can seemdaunting.
Classroom management,establishing routines and
setting expectations andmanaging student behavior
requires skill and practice.
The dreaded lesson planning.
Creating engaging and effectivelessons that cater to diverse
learning needs is a continuousprocess, and actually this is
one of my favorite things to doBalancing structure and fun.
(02:09):
Finding the right balancebetween structure and
flexibility in the classroom canbe challenging.
Then, and only then, do wesometimes even think about
self-care, because prioritizingyour personal well-being is
crucial to avoid burnout.
(02:29):
I have set a routine daily totake care of myself.
I do it almost every day.
It's different for everyone,but you have to figure out what
is significant for you and whatworks for you so that you're
able to savor your downtime, andwhat works for you so that
you're able to savor yourdowntime.
The other thing that I think isthe biggest issue that we and,
(02:51):
trust me, we all struggle withthis it's just time management,
because we have to effectivelymanage our time For planning and
grading and other tasks.
That is a key skill we have todevelop and here's my go-to.
I try and work extremely hard toplan all my lessons in my off
(03:15):
periods, as well as do all mygrading.
I'm a science teacher, so it'sa little bit different, I think,
but I try really hard not tobring work home Now.
There are periods during theyear I can't help it, but for
the most part I do my work atschool and that way I can take
(03:38):
care of everything while I'mthere.
If you don't mind, I'd like tolet you listen in on my
conversation with my colleague,andrea Ward-Fernandez, as we
discussed this not long ago.
As we discussed this not longago, andrea, thanks so much for
coming back for this episode onsome transitions that new
(04:02):
teachers need to learn or didn'tunderstand and are.
Here we are.
Thanks so much, toni, for havingme back.
This is an episode basically onhow new teachers to the field
that you know.
You've been to college, you'vegotten your degree, you've done
(04:24):
your student teaching, but nowyou're on your own and possibly
in a brand new school in adifferent city or, as in your
case, a different country, andthere are things that you think,
oh, this is going to be a pieceof cake because I did my
student teaching there, or I didthis while I was in Spain, but
yet then you realize it's notthe same and so that's.
(04:46):
We're just going to have aconversation about that today.
So tell our listeners kind ofwhat the biggest struggle that
you faced or obstacle that youfaced when you first started
your job here in the States, andwhat was that like.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Okay, that's an easy question.
Okay, that's an easy question.
So I, the first big obstacle.
Mind you, I've just moved to a,you know, totally new country
and I walk into my classroom andI, I mean, I didn't know what
was expected of me, and I havepeople telling me that I'm
(05:31):
expected to.
There's a lot of stuff in myclassroom when I walk in.
There's a lot of boxes that Ineed to move and that I need to
organize.
And, you know, people aretelling me, yeah, you're
expected to decorate yourclassroom.
And I'm like what?
Like wait, wait, nobody saidthis.
Like what is this?
(05:52):
This is totally new for me,because that's not something
that is done in Spain.
I mean, granted, you know,especially in elementary, middle
school, yes, there will be somedecorations, but I was trying
to think back really hard when Iwas in fifth or sixth grade and
I was like, yeah, maybe therewas one poster on the wall, but
that was it.
And so, you know, all of asudden, I walk in and I'm
(06:12):
expected to organize all thisstuff and I need to think about,
oh, like what do I want myclassroom to look like?
Am I going to put my studentsin pairs of two or four groups
of four.
Where do I want this?
Where do I want my desk?
Where do I want you know therest of the stuff?
And then, after you figure thatout, it's like, oh yeah, now
(06:35):
you need to like put wallpaperup and buy all this stuff.
And do you want a lamp?
And do you want you know thishere?
And I'm just like, wow, youknow the inside of the classroom
and also the outside.
So that that was the biggestobstacle I faced when I got here
, because this was justsomething completely foreign to
me.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
That's actually very funny.
It is funny now.
It probably wasn't funny thenbecause, if I recall, I don't
think you had a lot of days todo that because you got here so
late and I'm assuming that thattransition for you was pretty
big and pretty overwhelming atthe time.
(07:14):
Yeah, so as you get your roomdecorated and you prepare for,
like, meet the teacher, and youneed certain items, like you
need tape and staplers and andthose kinds of things how easy
you know was that and like, didyou automatically know who to go
(07:37):
to or did you have to?
You know, hey, who do I go askfor some staples?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
that's a very good question, yeah, so a lot of the
times it was summed up into Idon't know who I need to go to.
I'm just gonna ask the firstperson, like random person that
I see in the hallway or that'syou know, that has a classroom
right next to mine.
Or let me go to Kelly WonderfulKelly, kelly, if you're
listening to this, thank you.
I have gone to her many a timethroughout the year, like where
(08:07):
do I, who do I go to to get this?
Or where do I need to get this?
How go to to get this?
Or where do I need to get this,how do I do this?
And she very lovingly and, youknow, kindly redirecting me to
the right person that I neededto go to for whatever I needed
yeah, kelly is like, she's likeyour comfort zone, because I go
to her all the time for all thecrazy things.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
I get a wild crazy idea.
Then I'm, I'm in her office.
What was it like?
Like as far as it transitionedfrom like you know, I know there
was a period of time forprofessional development before
school started and then you meetthe teacher and then you're the
kids coming into classroom andand how, the functionality of
(08:47):
the time in the classroom, howdid that go for you?
The classroom, how did that gofor you changing classes for
them and and learning all of thein-between things like that.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So it was very interesting because the my
homeroom, they were also new tomiddle school, it was their
first year in middle school andso it was my first year at, you
know, our school and it wastheir first year going into
middle school.
So it was it was prettyinteresting.
But no, my kids are awesome,they're amazing and so we kind
(09:23):
of just learn together.
A lot of the times it was hard,things like being on time and,
you know, doing stuff like that.
That was a bit of a strugglefor me, just because you know,
once again, I'm coming from thisdynamic in Spain where you say
a time and you know it's aroundthat time ish, but if you're
five or ten minutes late it'sokay, and I, very early on,
(09:43):
learned that that was not athing here and that that was not
acceptable.
I remember the first time andthis is going off a little bit
of what I was saying well, it'sin the same direction but I
remember we were told that wehad to be in the cafeteria, like
downstairs in the cafeteria at105.
Like the kids had to be in thecafeteria at 105.
And so in my brain I'm like,okay, well, if we leave at about
(10:04):
103, more or less, we'll makeit in time to go downstairs and
go to the cafeteria.
Hint, no, we made it in likemaybe 107, 108, 108.
And I would come into thecafeteria and I found out that
the other classes were alreadyin there and the kids were
already eating.
So I was like, oh, I need toadjust this and I actually need
to leave my classroom at likeone so that the kids are
(10:26):
actually in the cafeteria eatingby 105.
So it was just little stufflike that that you know, slowly
but surely, I just had to learnto do.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
What would be like, maybe your top one or two things
that you would tell, like a newteacher who is coming in to our
, our school family if you will,because we are, we are a family
.
What would you tell a newteacher, maybe who's never
taught before, who's coming intoour middle school as a teacher?
(10:58):
What would be the like top oneor two things that you would
tell them is the most importantthing they need to be aware of
or to do.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
The top one thing that comes to mind is don't be
afraid to ask questions.
Don't be afraid to go up topeople and to just ask.
If you don't know wheresomething is, just ask.
If the person you're askingdoesn't know, they'll find
someone that will and you'lleventually get to what you need.
But if you are not askingquestions, I think it's going to
(11:32):
be really hard.
And just have a desire tocontinue to grow and to learn
from others who know whatthey're doing, who have been
doing this for you know a lotlonger than you and they have a
lot more experience than you do.
And so, yeah, I mean it's justsummed up and don't be afraid to
ask questions, because I mean,especially like Tony was saying,
(11:54):
you know, our school truly is afamily, and anytime I had
questions or I didn't know, youknow the route that I was
supposed to take for anything,there were always people there.
They're always willing to helpyou out and you know whatever
you need and they'll justliterally drop what they're
doing and they'll be like I'mthere, what do you need?
So don't be afraid to askquestions and have a teachable
(12:17):
spirit.
That's what I would say.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, I think that's so important because you know
I'm, because I've been a coachfor so long.
You know coaching basketballand tennis and volleyball and
all the things, and you canalways tell when someone's
coachable and willing to listenor to ask the questions.
It's so valuable to be able todo that, because then you have
(12:42):
other people who think they knowit all and they're going to do
it wrong just because you weresimply too stubborn I to ask for
help.
That's something that I'velearned gosh like.
If I don't know it, I'm gonnaask, and I never want to assume
(13:04):
that I know it all because Idon't.
What has been your favoritething?
This is your second year goingin.
We're just going to end on thisnote.
What is your favorite thingthat you've learned and found
out about living in the UnitedStates and teaching at a
(13:26):
Christian school?
What is your favorite thing sofar?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
That's a pretty big question, toni.
I think I'm going to break itdown into two, because there's
one, you know, something that Ilove about living in the US, and
then something that I loveabout teaching.
Would that be okay, absolutely.
So I think the main thing thatI've discovered and that I've
learned this year is I just lovebeing around my students, man.
(13:54):
I love getting to know them,their personalities, I just love
teaching them and I love beingaround them.
I love I'm just grateful to theLord for allowing me to to do
this job, to be able to in someway, maybe shape or form, be
able to plant a seed in them andjust help them grow and become
(14:16):
all that they want to becomeright.
And as for my most favoritething in the US, man, that's a
hard one.
I think my most favorite thingnow is just the community that I
found that the Lord has givenme throughout this past year.
It's been amazing.
All the people that I've metand, yeah, just people that the
(14:38):
Lord has just surrounded me within the whole process of
learning and growing and in anew country has just been
amazing, and I felt so supportedand so loved and so taken care
of.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
So yeah, I love that.
That's huge.
You know we love working withyou and thanks again for
agreeing to come back and haveanother conversation about a
completely different topic thanbefore, but to just share what
you've learned, share your heart, the things that you're excited
about, the things that you'velearned and the things that you
(15:12):
recommend other people learn.
I just really appreciate youcoming back and doing that.
Thanks for being here.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Absolutely, thank you .
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Gosh, can you relate to Andrea?
Some of you probably can.
She had more than most peopleto learn because of just coming
from another country and thenhaving to learn all things
American and the expectations.
So I really appreciate her forbeing here.
But before we end today, Iwanted to take a moment to
(15:44):
discuss how to overcome thelearning curve in general.
It's something that she talkeda lot about.
Number one just seek support,connect with people.
People I have found are sowilling to help and they have
such good intentions and theyhave such wisdom and and if you
go to them, they're going to bewilling to talk through some of
(16:08):
those things.
And also, just so you know, wehave a middle school guidance
counselor, or just counselor,and I utilize her all the time.
I'm always in her room for afew minutes once a month or
whatever, just to just talkthrough some things that I'm
struggling with.
The other thing that I thinkthat we have to learn and to
(16:31):
remember is to embrace and havea growth mindset, because we
have to view those challenges asopportunities for learning and
improvement.
This is an invitation to becoachable.
I am constantly learning newthings and I'm thrilled to learn
them Well.
I mean most of the time, bepatient with yourself, because
(16:53):
learning these things takes timeand it's okay to make mistakes
along the way, but one of thethings I've found is to have
some strong organizationalskills, utilize tools and
strategies to manage time andresources effectively.
There are so many cool apps andprograms out there to help us.
We need to take advantage ofthose.
(17:15):
Obviously, we need to focus onstudents' needs, making sure
that we're adapting our teachingstrategies to meet the diverse
learning styles and needs of ourstudents, and celebrate the
successes, recognize andacknowledge progress, both big
and small and I'm not justtalking about in your students,
(17:38):
but for yourself as well,especially because that's what
this whole episode is about.
Always seek to have some sortof professional development,
attend a workshop or go to aconference and training sessions
to enhance your teaching skills.
(18:00):
Now, whether you're steppinginto the classroom for the first
time or returning for your 20thyear, this episode of Start
your Comeback offers a timelyreminder of the challenges and
triumphs that come with teaching.
We talked about the steeplearning curve first teachers
face, from classroom managementand lesson planning to adapting
(18:21):
to school culture andprioritizing self-care
management and lesson planningto adapting to school culture
and prioritizing self-care.
We also heard from my colleague, andrea Ward-Fernandez, who
shared her unique journey as anew teacher from another country
.
The bottom line teaching is acalling, and while the first
year can rattle your confidence,it also has the potential to
shape you into the kind ofeducator you've always dreamed
(18:44):
of being.
Growth takes time and mistakesare part of the process, and
community is your secret weapon.
If you're a new teacher, hearme loud and clear you're not
alone.
Bookmark this episode and comeback to it as needed.
Better yet, share it with ateacher friend who could use a
dose of encouragement andpractical advice.
(19:05):
And, if you haven't already, goto my website and sign up for
all the news concerning myupcoming book Start your
Comeback that will be releasingthis October.
It's packed with tools,strategies and real life
coaching wisdom to help younavigate life's transitions.
Tools, strategies and real lifecoaching wisdom to help you
(19:27):
navigate life's transitions,including ones like the start of
a brand new career.
Stay strong, stay hydrated andremember you were chosen for
this.
You've got what it takes.
I'll see you next time.
Hey, thanks for listening.
I don't take it for grantedthat you're here.
Hey, thanks for listening.
I don't take it for grantedthat you're here.
You didn't listen by mistake.
(19:47):
If you want to reach out, youcan DM me on Instagram at Tony
Thrash Until next week.
Remember, there's still timeleft on the clock.
Let's get you off the bench tostart your comeback.
I want to give a special shoutout to Country Club for the
original music.
You can find them on Instagramat Country Club.
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