There’s nothing quite like being a new teacher, and there’s no struggles like new teacher struggles. With a lot of new faces joining my department this year, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about simple solutions to common new teacher struggles.
Overall, most new teacher struggles fit into three categories:
- managing classroom resources
- finding classroom supplies that work
- and the intangible soft skills and solutions
Managing Classroom Resources
Classrooms are full of material resources: textbooks, furniture, technology, bulletin boards, power cords, pencil sharpeners, etc. As a new teacher, it can be difficult to manage all of those resources. My first year of teaching, I spent a lot of time moving things around, picking them up and setting them down, trying something new only to give up after a few days.
Simply put, some new teacher struggles (mine included) come down to managing all those resources. As a new teacher, I was the queen of complex systems, but over the years, I’ve learned that a simpler system is always better. It may not be Pinterest worthy, but simple systems often work, and that’s what matter. Here are four strategies to manage classroom resources:
- First, the most precious classroom resource is time, so it’s essential that teachers develop systems for managing time. No system is more important than a daily agenda. With a daily agenda, teachers manage time, provide an easy way for absent students to determine what they missed, and clarify daily expectations. My favorite daily agenda template is super simple and free.
- Similarly, space is an essential classroom resource. How teachers manage and set up their space plays an important role in welcoming students, making them feel safe, helping them be productive, and keeping them focused and engaged. For this reason, a seating chart is an essential solution for many new teacher struggles.
- Additionally, parent and family relationships are an absolute classroom resource. Keeping track of parent contacts can be a struggle for even the most veteran teachers. For this reason, I use this free Google Form to keep track of all my parent contacts. It’s a simple, elegant solution for a common new teachers’ struggle.
- Finally, the best classroom systems help students develop a sense of self-efficacy. Managing classroom technology can be a huge headache, so it’s important to empower students to manage their own devices. Nowhere is this more important than helping students manage their passwords, which is where this student password tracker becomes invaluable.
Finding Classroom Supplies that Work
Like many teachers, I adore office supplies. Over the years, though, I’ve learned that it’s not about how many office supplies you have. It’s about how many supplies you find useful and meaningful. The supplies that work for one teacher may not work for another. However, there are a few items that can solve some of the most basic new teacher struggles:
- First, every teacher can benefit from high-quality chart paper and great chart markers. I love both the Mr. Sketch and the Sharpie chart markers. Anchor charts are so versatile, and they can be a low-cost tool for almost any lesson.
- Additionally, a sturdy classroom wall calendar is a great way to help students visualize long-term deadlines and upcoming due dates. Even with my high school students, we may regular “trips to the calendar” to visualize what’s coming our way.
- Similarly, a lightweight timer is a great way to pace and manage time. Learning how to portion out wait time is a frequent new teacher struggle, so a timer can be a great, mobile option for helping new teachers learn to gauge classroom time (which, as we know, has its own special rules).
- Finally, it’s okay to reach out for help finding supplies. Teachers Pay Teachers is full of high-quality resources made for teachers by teachers. It’s not necessary to reinvent the wheel with each lesson, so look for ways to work smarter, not harder.
At the end of the day, I think it’s worth mentioning that your school should purchase supplies for you. Before running out to spend your own hard-earned money, it’s important to learn how budgets are managed in your building and how you can request funds.
I also think it’s worth noting that there are lots of cute classroom gimmicks that might look cute but actually take a lot of time to manage and perfect, so as a new teacher, it’s okay to pick a few things and get really good with them before attempting something more complex like a classroom doorbell or microphone.
Intangible Solutions to New Teacher Struggles
More than anything, new teachers often need some intangibles. Some of these are obvious: patience, joy, curiosity, humility, grit, enthusiasm. However, some intangibles are a little harder to come by, a little hard to describe, and a little harder to recognize.
- First, a new teacher needs a good mentor teacher. If your school doesn’t provide one, seek one out. Veteran teachers love to share their experience, and their experience can be a tremendous boon for you. A veteran teacher can be counted on to tell you tough truths and to provide tremendous compassion.
- Second, new teachers deserve a solid classroom management plan. Work with your mentor teacher to develop simple classroom procedures, a bell work routine, and a method for developing lesson plans. Focus on developing sustainable systems that work for you. If you’re struggling with this, The Classroom Management Book is a must read!
- Finally, new teachers need boundaries. It is so easy to become a teacher martyr in the first few years. Sometimes this happens when you don’t even notice, but teachers are not candles. We are humans. The greatest lie about teacher self-care is that it’s easy. In fact, teacher self-care couldn’t be more difficult. Building sustainable boundaries takes a lot of time, effort, and practice. However, healthy boundaries are key to staying invested and engaged in this profession.
