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

Teaching with Valor Podcast: A Veteran Teachers Perspective

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"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!