🍎 Things I Wish I Knew When I First Became a Teacher ✨
- GlimmerTots
- Apr 21
- 8 min read
Helpful tips for first-time teachers
Starting your career as a teacher can be exciting but also terrifying. When I first walked into my first classroom as a fresh university graduate, the youngest staff member and with little to no actual teaching experience, I was equal parts eager and anxious.
Truth be told, being a teacher was never in the cards for me, but it eventually became a part of my journey. I had no lesson plans, I was replacing someone who had been teaching in that room for decades, and the only person I knew the name of was the principal, for obvious reasons.
I had no idea what to expect because no one prepares you for the silent, unspoken parts of teaching, the things we learn only with time and experience. If you're just starting out, or maybe the youngest teacher on your team like I was, this one's for you.
🌟Confidence Is Built, Not Bought
Walking into a room full of seasoned teachers was intimidating. I often felt like I had to prove myself or stay quiet in certain discussions to avoid sounding inexperienced. To overcompensate, I buried myself in research, volunteered for everything, and constantly pitched new ideas. Before I knew it, I’d convinced everyone, including myself, that I was just as seasoned as they were.
But at what cost? I was handed responsibilities, awards, and expectations I wasn’t ready for: representing teachers on the board, acting as senior staff in the principal’s absence, and being treated like a child while expected to carry the load of a veteran. Sounds wild, right?
What I wish I knew then is that confidence in teaching doesn’t arrive on your first day. It’s built slowly, lesson by lesson, parent meeting by parent meeting. You don’t have to know everything, and you don’t have to prove anything.
What matters most is showing up, staying curious, being willing to learn, and trusting yourself a little more with each new day.
🌟It’s Okay to Say “I Don’t Know”
One of my biggest fears was not having all the answers, whether it came from a student or a colleague. I thought admitting “I don’t know” would make me seem unprepared or unqualified. But here’s a little secret: even the most experienced teachers don’t have it all figured out.
In fact, some of the greatest respect I’ve earned in the classroom came from moments where I was honest with my students. I’d tell them, “I’m not sure, but I’ll find out and get back to you.” It models honesty, curiosity, and humility. Trust me, students appreciate it more than you think.
I've been in plenty of classes where a student asked a question completely unrelated to the lesson (and yes, this will happen a lot). Imagine if a child asked why the sky is blue, and I made up some story about unicorns and rainbows. They’d probably laugh, spread the story around, then come right back asking for the real answer, and then what?
Here’s what I learned: never make the mistake of pretending to know something just to save face, especially among your colleagues. It’s one thing for people to gossip about you not knowing something (and possibly even tell you the answer), it’s another for them to gossip about you making up answers, questioning your qualifications, and doubting your readiness to teach.
It’s far better to be seen as a learner than a liar.
🌟Boundaries Are Not Optional
When you love what you do, it’s easy to say yes to everything, every committee, extra class, holiday event, staff function, and weekend program. But here’s what no one told me: burnout doesn’t show up all at once. It sneaks in quietly.
I learned this the hard way. I adore my students, both past and present, but there were days I was stretched too thin. I put them ahead of my well-being, covering extra classes during breaks, staying up late planning lessons, and arriving earlier than necessary for morning sessions. And while my students achieved amazing results, soaking up every bit of guidance and encouragement I could give, I forgot about one very important person… me.
I gave so much of myself to help others grow that I left myself running on empty. What I wish someone had told me sooner is that you’re allowed to rest. You can say no. You can choose your peace without guilt. Take your breaks, use your weekends, and set aside time just for you.
Work hard for your students, but work just as hard for yourself. Prioritize hobbies that light you up, whether writing, painting, singing, or simply relaxing with a good book. Put “Me Time” on your timetable, and show up for it like you would a staff meeting or parent conference.
You can’t pour from an empty cup and your best teaching happens when you’re whole.
🌟Staffroom Politics Are Real! Don’t Get Caught Up
Remember high school? The multiple friend groups, the cliques, the infamous bullies? If you can’t relate, go watch Mean Girls for a crash course. Now, picture all those students growing up and becoming adults, you’re stuck with for at least eight hours a day. Yikes 😲!
As the youngest on staff, I often felt torn between wanting to fit in and desperately trying to avoid the drama. Ironically, my efforts to stay out of it sometimes got me dragged in anyway, because choosing not to pick a side is often seen as picking a side.
The truth is, every workplace has its cliques and gossip corners. Some people never outgrow the high school hallway mentality. My advice? Stay polite, stay professional, and always remember why you’re there: for the kids.
These days, I keep my circle tight, maybe two people tops. And honestly? I’ve learned to embrace a little isolation. Not loneliness, though. Because if you’re the kind of teacher students trust and feel safe with, you’ll soon realize you’re never really alone😂.
In fact, most days I’ve found my students to be more genuine and kind than many of the adults I work with. As for those “Mean Girls” types on staff? Yep, they exist everywhere. Some workplaces are like high schools with paychecks.
Find your people. The ones who uplift you, share resources without competition, and want to see you win. The rest? Let them be background noise.
🌟Your Students Will Remember the Way You Made Them Feel
You’ll stress over lesson plans, grading deadlines, and whether your classroom management strategy is “Pinterest perfect”, but truthfully, that’s not what your students will remember. They will remember how safe, seen, and supported they felt in your presence.
Prioritize connection over perfection.
As cliché as it might sound, the students who felt connected to me were always the ones who showed the most progress, stayed engaged, and kept in touch long after moving on to another grade or school.
I still remember my very first day in the classroom. I wrote a math problem on the board, and one brave student shouted, “We hate math!”. When I asked what they loved, the answer was unanimous: games. From that day, I dedicated every Thursday to math games. We played hopscotch with a math twist, scavenger hunts, and even video games turned learning tools. At first, they were skeptical, but soon enough, they started inventing their own games, their grades climbed, and they began looking forward to Thursday mornings.
It wasn’t immediate. It took time for them to warm up to me, especially since their beloved longtime teacher was about to retire. But before I knew it, my classroom at lunchtime became their safe place, a spot to vent, ask for advice, share jokes, and just be themselves.
And here’s the thing:
This type of connection should never be forced. Some teachers are naturally warm and nurturing. Others are firm and structured. Both approaches are valid and valuable.
Find your teaching style, honor it, and let your relationships with students grow organically. They’ll feel it. And they’ll remember it.
🌟It’s Okay to Cry in the Bathroom (It Happens to the Best of Us)
Teaching can be emotionally draining. Some days you’ll feel like a superhero on top of the world, and other days you’ll feel like you’re barely holding it together. And you know what? That’s okay.
I’ve had my fair share of quiet bathroom moments, those afternoons when I’d come home and just stare at the wall, emotionally spent and overstimulated. After-school tears don’t make you weak, they make you human.
Everyone has rough days. Don’t be afraid to let it out. It’s far healthier than bottling everything up because every little pressure you stuff away is one step closer to overflowing. Take your moment, breathe, and remember: you’re allowed to feel it all.
🌟Seek Mentors, Not Just Friends
In every workplace, you’ll find people you naturally click with and others you politely greet in passing. While friendships at work are wonderful, what truly shapes your growth as a teacher is mentors. Look for those educators who teach with kindness, manage their classrooms with grace, and share wisdom without arrogance. Pay attention to how they navigate challenges, handle difficult conversations, and uplift their students.
Don’t be shy about asking questions or seeking advice. Most good teachers love to help those coming up after them because they were once in your shoes. Mentors are like hidden gems in this profession; the lessons they pass down are priceless. Seek them out, learn from them, and remember to pass it on one day when someone looks up to you.
🌟Celebrate the Small Wins
Not every day in the classroom will feel like a big, groundbreaking success, and that’s okay. Some days, the victory is a struggling student finally grasping a tricky concept.
Other days, it’s a sweet thank-you note from a parent, a student who finally remembered their manners, or a lesson that ran smoothly from start to finish.
Those little moments matter more than you realize. They’re the quiet reminders of why you started teaching in the first place. Celebrate them. Write them down if you need to. They’ll be the fuel you lean on when the tough days roll in.
🌟Invest in Your Growth
Don’t wait around for formal workshops or annual evaluations to get better at what you do. Growth is an ongoing, personal journey. Read articles, join free webinars, swap strategies with trusted colleagues, follow inspiring educators online, and take time to reflect on your practice.
The best teachers are lifelong learners, curious, adaptable, and always evolving. Your growth doesn’t just benefit you; it transforms your classroom and the students who walk through your door.
🌟You Belong Here
No matter your age, experience level, or moments of self-doubt, you belong in this profession. Your fresh ideas, passion, and genuine heart for teaching matter more than you realize. Your voice deserves to be heard, your contributions have value, and your students are lucky to have someone like you in their corner.
🌻 A Note to First-Time Teachers💛
If no one’s told you this today, you’re doing an incredible job. Even on the tough days. Keep showing up, keep growing, and remember that even seasoned teachers were once where you are. You’re not alone in this.
If this post resonated with you or you have a tip you wish someone told you when you started teaching, drop a comment below or share your story on our blog feed; we’d love to hear it.
Together, we teach. Together, we grow. 💛
Comments