How to Beat the Back to School Blues: How Educators Can Prepare for the First-Day Jitters
Summer may still be sizzling all over the country for students, but many educators are already preparing their classrooms for the 2016-2017 school year. Read on as veteran teachers share their strategies to make preparing for the new school year (and calming those first-day jitters!) as easy as a 1-2-3.
Dress for Success
Flip-flops and tank tops may be appropriate summer wear, but prepare to dress professionally as you head back to school. Check with your administrators before school starts to verify the school dress code for teachers and students.
Another way to be ready for the first day of school is to prepare outfits in advance. “[I] pick out my outfits ahead of time for meet the teacher and for the first three days,” says Kari Huston, an intervention specialist from Columbus, Ohio. “[It] helps me feel more ready. I also usually dress more professionally that first month than I do the rest of the year!”
For tips on dressing for a variety of teaching positions, check out these “what to wear” blogs on weareteachers.com. And don’t forget the comfy shoes!
Be Prepared (and Flexible!)
Most teachers agree that one of the best things you can do to get ready for the school year is be prepared for the day (and days) ahead. From transportation changes to crying five-year-olds to broken technology, the list of possible snafus goes on and on! Make sure you’re prepared before the first bell rings, but also be ready to be flexible in the event of last-minutes changes.
“I always come in at least 30 minutes early,” says Alexandra Polhill, a third-grade teacher from Charlotte, N.C. “It is really important for me to 'get in the school mindset' whether I’m just chatting with teammates, or ensuring my objectives are up-to-date. It's important for ME to be at school, and not in my own, personal mindset anymore.”
Getting everything prepared the day before will help ensure that lessons run as smoothly as possible.
“Everything that I need for mini-lessons and follow-up work, I have prepared and ready for the day, and in the order I will need it,” Polhill says.
And, make sure to have a back-up plan! Polhill says she tells students, “‘This is what we were GOING to do; let's brainstorm a way to do it without technology!" and they come up with a lesson for me.”
Hutson says that for her, flexibility is key. “I don't worry about [too] much,” says Hutson. “My whole teaching life is about being flexible and making change on short notice.”
She says, “But I do have shuttle duty at the end of the day and I always worry we will lose a kid. [It] hasn't happened yet but it's always a concern!”
Make sure you know the the rules for arrival, dismissal, breakfast, lunch, and special events at your school, and what to do in case of a mix-up. It will put your mind at ease and help you prepare for the first-day chaos!
Don’t Expect Everything to be Perfect
Life can be messy at times, and teaching is no exception. Try not to worry too much about everything being perfect and expect there to be highs and lows throughout the year.
“Teaching undergrads, I find that there seems to be a lull in the class's enthusiasm around the 3-5 week of class,” says Matthew Grizzard, Assistant Professor at the University of Buffalo, SUNY. “I used to worry about [it] and attribute it to either my students not taking class seriously enough or my teaching style and a lack of ability to garner the class's attention and interest.”
Grizzard says the lull eventually gets back to normal and to remember to keep up the pace. “Acknowledge that there will be peaks and valleys throughout the semester and [don’t] let them interfere with your teaching.” Grizzard adds, “If you take this mindset, you're less likely to make attributions (e.g., the class is lazy or I'm bad at teaching) that could turn into self-fulfilling prophecies.”
Look Ahead, and Reflect
It’s easy to get caught up in the stress and daily grind of teaching, but it’s important to remember to breathe every now and then and remember the reason many people are drawn to teaching.
“I keep a small journal in my desk and do daily affirmations in the morning,” says Polhill. “Why am I happy to wake up today? What am I going to cherish today? What is my goal today?”
At the end of the day, Polhill says she spends a few minutes reflecting. “What made me happy at work today? Did I follow through on cherishing ___ today? Did I reach my goal?”
After a hearty 12-week vacation, first-year teachers and veteran teachers alike may feel the trepidation of a new school year upon them. Being prepared, learning to relax, and focusing on your goals is an easy way to set the coming school year up for success.
Kelly is an elementary school teacher turned writer located in Charlotte, N.C. She writes about everything from education, to camping, to meditation and more. In her spare time, she likes to watch videos of dogs being reunited with their owners.