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

Send us a text

"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!

Episode Transcript

Don (00:09):
"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 ineducation, you’ve come to the
right place.
Before we jump into today’s deepdive episode, I’d like to ask

(00:30):
for your support.
If you find value in theseconversations, please take a
moment to like, subscribe, andshare this podcast with your
fellow educators and parents.
Your support helps us reach morepeople, empowering more teachers
and families to navigate thechallenges of education with
confidence and courage.
So hit that subscribe button,share this episode, and let’s

(00:53):
continue to grow this communitytogether." Today’s episode is
one I’m particularly excitedabout.
We’re going to be talking aboutthat transformative,
challenging, and, let’s face it,sometimes overwhelming first
year of teaching.
We’ll be answering one of themost common questions new

teachers have (01:11):
What should I focus on in my first year?
If you’re a new teacher orsomeone who remembers their
first year, you know it’s a timeof intense learning, growth, and
sometimes a few stumblingblocks.
There’s so much to learn, fromlesson planning to classroom
management, that it’s easy tofeel overwhelmed.

But here’s the thing (01:32):
your first year doesn’t have to be perfect.
Instead, it’s about building astrong foundation for your
teaching career, learning as yougo, and focusing on a few key
areas that will set you up forsuccess.
So, whether you’re preparing foryour first year or just here to
gain some perspective, let’sdive into what truly matters in

(01:54):
that first year of teaching andhow to make it a rewarding
experience." In our firstsegment we look at Building
Relationships with Students andCreating a Positive Classroom
Culture.
"Let’s start with one of themost important aspects of

teaching (02:09):
building relationships with your students.
For any new teacher, creating apositive classroom culture
should be a top priority.
This isn’t about being the‘cool’teacher; it’s about being the
teacher who students know caresabout them, who they trust, and
who they feel respected by.
When students know their teachercares, they’re more likely to

(02:32):
engage, work hard, and respectclassroom norms.
Begin by focusing on getting toknow each student individually.
Take time in the first few weeksto learn about their interests,
hobbies, and backgrounds.
This isn’t just for fun—itbuilds the trust that will
support classroom management andengagement throughout the year.

(02:53):
Simple things like greeting eachstudent at the door or having
quick one-on-one check-ins canmake a world of difference.
When students feel seen andvalued, it creates a ripple
effect.
They become more receptive,cooperative, and open to the
learning experience.
Creating a positive classroomculture also involves setting

(03:13):
clear, consistent expectations.
Communicate these expectationsfrom day one, and don’t assume
students will automaticallyunderstand or remember them.
Create a routine aroundthem—whether it’s how to ask a
question, move betweenactivities, or show respect
during group discussions.
And don’t forget, students arewatching and learning from your

(03:35):
behavior as well.
Model the respect and kindnessyou want to see, and reinforce
positive behaviors when you seethem.
Your first year is aboutplanting the seeds for a
classroom culture that can growand thrive.""Now that we’ve
discussed relationships andculture, let’s move on to a

second critical focus area: classroom management.""Classroom (03:54):
undefined

management (03:59):
those two words are enough to strike fear into the
hearts of many first-yearteachers.
And, honestly, that’s becauseit’s one of the most challenging
parts of teaching, especiallywhen you’re just starting out.

But here’s the secret (04:13):
effective classroom management is about
more than discipline.
It’s about creating anenvironment where students feel
safe, respected, and engaged.
And that starts with clear,consistent routines and
expectations.
One of the best things you cando in your first year is to
establish routines that guideevery part of the day.

(04:36):
Think about everything, from howstudents enter the classroom to
how they submit work, and designa procedure for it.
When students know what toexpect, they’re less likely to
act out or test boundaries.
It’s not about controlling them;it’s about creating a
predictable structure that helpseveryone focus on learning.

(04:56):
In addition to routines, you’llwant to develop a set of class
rules.
Keep these simple and stick tojust a handful of rules that
cover respect, responsibility,and effort.
Frame your rules positivelywhenever possible.
Instead of‘Don’t talk whenothers are speaking,’ try
‘Listening when others aresharing.’ And remember,

(05:17):
consistency is key.
If you enforce rules sometimesbut let them slide at other
times, students will quicklylearn to test boundaries.
Another important aspect ofclassroom management is finding
ways to reinforce positivebehavior.
A simple acknowledgment, asmile, or a few encouraging
words can go a long way.

(05:39):
When students see that positivebehavior is recognized and
valued, they’re more likely tocontinue it.
Your first year is the perfecttime to experiment with
different strategies—whetherit’s a point system, a reward
day, or simple verbalrecognition—to find what
resonates with your students andyour teaching style.""With

(05:59):
classroom culture and managementunderway, let’s talk about one
of the biggest challenges fornew teachers—planning and
delivering effective lessons.""Planning lessons is one of the
most time-consuming tasks fornew teachers.

There’s so much to consider: standards, objectives, (06:14):
undefined
activities, assessments—and ifyou’re not careful, it can take
up all your time.
My advice?
Start simple.
In your first year, your goalshould be to create clear,
manageable lesson plans thatcover the basics and keep
students engaged.

(06:35):
The key to good lesson planningis setting clear, achievable
objectives.
Ask yourself,‘What do I wantstudents to learn by the end of
this lesson?’ Once you have aclear objective, the activities
and assessments will naturallyfall into place.
And remember, it’s okay to keepit straightforward.
You don’t need complicated,Pinterest-worthy projects to be

(06:57):
effective.
Sometimes, the best lessons arethe simplest.

But here’s the thing (07:02):
no matter how well you plan, things won’t
always go as expected.
Maybe an activity takes longerthan you thought, or students
struggle with a concept youassumed would be easy.
That’s normal, and it’s whereflexibility comes in.
Be prepared to adjust on thefly.
If something isn’t working,don’t be afraid to shift gears

(07:24):
or try a different approach.
Flexibility is a huge part ofeffective teaching, and it’s a
skill that grows over time.
Another key point here is toavoid overwhelming yourself by
trying to plan too far ahead.
Start with a week or two at atime, and adjust based on how
students are responding.

(07:45):
Your first year is as much aboutlearning what works for you as
it is about teaching content toyour students.""Lesson planning
is just one part of the academicpuzzle.
Next, let’s talk aboutassessment and feedback: an area
where new teachers can make abig impact.""Assessment and
feedback are essential parts ofthe learning process, but for

(08:08):
new teachers, it can be trickyto find a balance.
You want to assess studentsregularly to understand their
progress, but you don’t want toover-test or overwhelm them with
grades.
In your first year, aim to focuson formative assessments—those
low-stakes checks that give youa glimpse into students’
understanding without thepressure of a big test.

(08:30):
Formative assessments can be assimple as an exit ticket, a
quick quiz, or even an in-classdiscussion.
These little snapshots help yougauge how well students are
grasping the material and allowyou to adjust your teaching as
needed.
They also give students a senseof their own progress, which is
motivating andconfidence-building.

(08:52):
When it comes to feedback,remember that it doesn’t always
have to be in-depth or written.
A quick comment like‘Great jobidentifying the main idea’ or
‘Try to check your work forsmall errors’ can be just as
effective as a paragraph offeedback.
Focus on specific, actionablefeedback that students can
immediately apply.

(09:14):
For instance, instead of saying‘Your writing needs work,’ try,
‘Focus on using completesentences and descriptive
language in your writing.’ Andfinally, remember that grades
are only one part of theassessment equation.
In your first year, it’s easy toget bogged down in the numbers,
but your goal should be tosupport growth, not just measure

(09:35):
it.
Use assessments as tools to helpstudents understand where they
are and where they need to go,and let feedback be a pathway
for improvement.""Now, let’sturn to another crucial area for

new teachers (09:49):
the importance of self-care and setting boundaries
to avoid burnout.""The firstyear of teaching is intense.
You’re learning, adapting, andworking hard, often putting in
long hours.

But here’s the thing (10:03):
burnout is real, and if you’re not careful,
it can sneak up on you beforeyou even realize it.
That’s why self-care is criticalfrom day one.
One of the best things you cando is to set boundaries.
Decide early on when you’llleave school each day, and stick
to it as much as possible.

(10:24):
It’s tempting to stay late toget everything done, but the
work will still be theretomorrow.
Prioritize what absolutely needsto be done, and give yourself
permission to let some taskswait.
Another tip is to find a supportsystem, whether it’s a mentor, a
group of fellow new teachers, oreven an online community.

(10:45):
Teaching is challenging, andhaving people to talk to who
understand what you’re goingthrough can make a huge
difference.
They can offer advice, shareresources, and remind you that
you’re not alone in thisjourney.
And remember, self-care isn’tjust about rest.
It’s also about finding joy inwhat you’re doing.

(11:06):
Take time to celebrate smallvictories, whether it’s a lesson
that went well, a breakthroughwith a challenging student, or a
compliment from a parent.
Those moments matter, andthey’re what keep you grounded
during the tough days.""Now thatwe’ve covered the essentials for

(11:26):
surviving and thriving in yourfirst year, let’s move into our
bonus segment, where we’llanswer a question from parents
about how they can support theirchild’s new teacher.""Parents
often ask, How can I support mychild’s teacher during their
first year?
It’s a great question, and itshows that parents understand

(11:46):
the unique challenges that newteachers face.
One way parents can support isby fostering open communication.
If there’s anything your childneeds help with or if there’s
feedback you’d like to share,reach out.
Most new teachers are eager tohear from parents and appreciate
constructive feedback that helpsthem meet students’ needs.

(12:09):
Another way is to offer positivereinforcement.
A quick note or email saying,‘Thank you for the work you’re
doing with my child’ can mean alot to a new teacher who might
be feeling overwhelmed.
Encouragement goes a long way inhelping new teachers feel valued
and motivated.
Lastly, if your schedule allows,consider volunteering or helping

(12:31):
out with class events.
New teachers are juggling a lot,and having an extra set of
hands, especially duringactivities or field trips, can
make a huge difference." Now,lets look at todays episode
takeaways.
"The first year of teaching isan incredible journey filled
with growth, learning, andsometimes, a few challenges.

(12:54):
But by focusing on buildingrelationships, creating a
positive classroom culture,managing routines, planning
effective lessons, providingmeaningful feedback, and taking
care of yourself, you’re layingthe foundation for a successful
career in education.
Thank you for joining us ontoday’s episode of Teaching with
Valor.

(13:15):
For more resources on navigatingyour first year and building
your teaching practice, checkout the links in our episode
description.
Remember, no one expectsperfection in your first
year—it’s all about progress,patience, and resilience.
Keep teaching, keep growing, andas always, keep teaching with
valor."