What No One Told Me About Being a New Elementary Teacher
Hey there! I’m Katherine Barker, and in this post, I want to talk about something no one told me about being a new elementary teacher. I didn’t learn this in college, and it’s something I had to figure out on my own. My goal is to share my experiences and the mistakes I made, so you can avoid making them too. Let me pass on my wisdom to help you navigate your first year with a little less stress.
What No One Told Me About Being a New Elementary Teacher
1. The First Day is Always Chaotic
No one prepared me for the sheer craziness of the first day of school. If you feel overwhelmed and wonder if every day will be this chaotic, don’t worry—it’s not! The first day is always a bit wild because everyone, from the students to the parents (and yes, you too), is figuring things out. It’s okay to feel exhausted at the end of it. My best advice? Have no plans after school. Go home, relax, have some dinner ready (or grab takeout), and decompress. Trust me, the first day is a marathon, not a sprint.
2. Dress for Function, Not Just Fashion
On my first day, I wore a cute dress and sandals. Big mistake. I ended up chasing a student across the playground, and it was not the moment for sandals! As a new elementary teacher, especially with younger kids like TK or Kindergarten, you need to be ready for spills, running, and moving around constantly. You can still look stylish, but prioritize comfort and functionality.
3. Classroom Management is Key
I was so focused on creating a Pinterest-worthy classroom that I completely neglected my behavior management system. Big mistake. By the end of the first week, I had no systems in place to manage behaviors, and things spiraled quickly. Classroom management starts on day one, so make sure you have routines and procedures planned out well in advance. The first two weeks should be all about establishing these systems. Once I put my behavior management plan in place, everything ran much more smoothly.
4. You’ll Have to Teach Basic Skills
I didn’t expect that I would need to teach my students how to wash their hands, sit properly on the carpet, or raise their hands to speak. But you do—especially with younger kids. Don’t assume they know these things. You’ll need to explicitly teach these basic skills to help them thrive in the classroom.
5. Parents May Feel Intimidating
During my first year as a new elementary teacher, I felt like I was constantly being watched by parents. Some weren’t very kind, and I felt like I had to prove myself. It was tough, but I shifted my mindset to focus on winning over the parents. By the end of the year, most of them appreciated my efforts and saw how much their kids loved being in my class. If you encounter challenging parents, stay calm, be professional, and remember that building positive relationships with them takes time.
6. Your Classroom Won’t Be “Perfect” (And That’s Okay)
I struggled because I thought my classroom needed to look like something out of a magazine. It wasn’t until a veteran teacher told me, “It took me years to get my room to look like this.” That hit home for me. The first year, and maybe even the second, your classroom won’t look perfect—and that’s totally fine! What’s more important is establishing strong classroom management and focusing on teaching. A well-decorated room can wait.
7. You Will Make Mistakes
It’s hard to hear, especially if you’re a perfectionist like me, but you will make mistakes. You may even question whether you’re cut out for teaching. That’s normal! You’re learning and growing every day. Just give yourself grace. Mistakes don’t define you as a teacher; they’re part of the process. Classroom management might be tough at first, and teaching the curriculum may feel overwhelming, but it gets better.
8. Find a Mentor
You don’t have to go through this alone. Find a mentor, whether it’s someone in your grade level, another teacher in the school, or even an online community. Having a veteran teacher to guide you when you are a new elementary teacher makes a huge difference. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, and don’t be afraid to lean on others for advice. And if you’re ever feeling discouraged, feel free to reach out to me—I’m here to support you.
In Summary:
- The first day (and even the first week) will be chaotic. Plan to go home and relax.
- Dress comfortably and practically—don’t make my mistake!
- Have a solid behavior management plan in place from day one.
- Teach basic skills. Don’t assume students already know them.
- Some parents may be tough, but building positive relationships with them is possible.
- Your classroom won’t look perfect right away, and that’s okay.
- You’ll make mistakes, but it gets better. Give yourself grace.
- Find a mentor to help guide and support you through the process.
Starting your teaching journey can feel overwhelming, but remember, you’re not alone. These tips will hopefully help you avoid some of the bumps I hit along the way. And for more tips on having a successful “Meet the Teacher” night, be sure to check out my next post! Happy teaching!
