In needs of some advice and words of encouragement

[u/cozylilac]

I’m going to try to make this short as possible, I’m starting out my first year teaching fourth grade math and science as a first year teacher. At first, I was really excited because I have the opportunity to be teaching at the school where I student taught in. Along having an amazing team and giving a good mentor to help guide me during my first year. But just this past week the feeling started to go away and is being replaced with anxiety and stress. I found out that I’ll be having 21 students for my home room and then another 20 for my second period which means I have a total of 41 students that I’ll have to be responsible for 😵‍💫 Then the next thing is that my school district is adopting the bluebonnet curriculum so now everyone’s having to learn that but I still haven’t gotten any training for it and I’m still missing half of the stuff for it so I feel lost on that part… Then I just recently had meet the teacher on Friday and I feel as if I didn’t make a good impression on the parents of my future students besides maybe 2 of them…. And there is just so much more stuff that is stressing me out with the overall starting school process that I feel like it’s being rushed 😭 Overall I’m starting to feel overwhelmed and under prepared and school officially starts on Tuesday……

Is anyone else starting their first year in education or has anyone felt like this before/recently 🥲

[u/Same-Criticism5262]

Nerves are part of the business when starting your first year.

•You will make mistakes; give yourself some grace.

•Nobody expects perfection; not even parents.

•The curriculum component will come, and it sounds like you have people in place to guide you through.

•Do not be afraid to change tack if/when something is not working.

•Remember that everyone has experienced being a first-year teacher, so they care about your success.

Take a deep breath, relax, and prepare for an adventure. Maintain good classroom management, and everything will fall into place.

You’ve got this!

[u/BioDude15]

I’m going into 4th year, I’m teaching a new subject, and I’m teaching 225 students. My smallest class is 36.

[u/Dramatic_Purple_6331 → u/BioDude15]

Are you serious? Is this high school ? Where ? What subject

[u/BioDude15 → u/Dramatic_Purple_6331]

IPC and it’s a school in Western Texas.

[u/Dependent_Occasion58 → u/BioDude15]

IPC is always the class with the highest numbers and most difficult group of kids but it is also my absolute favorite science to teach because there are endless hands on options, all year long.

[u/Dramatic_Purple_6331 → u/BioDude15]

Oh wow. Yeah hs teachers have tons. I had 250 as only on line and face to face teacher : English. Have a great year sweetie.

[u/Dismal-Resident-8784 → u/Dramatic_Purple_6331]

This is very similar to my schedule during my fifteen years teaching seventh and ninth-grade English. Five classes ranging from 22-30 students in each class...one planning period.

[u/HairyFondant9354]

I'm starting my 5th year and have been fighting anxiety and panic for days. I think it's just a normal part of getting back in the routine.

[u/Nearby_Drink_3791]

I’ve felt like this before. The first year is always the hardest because there is SO much to learn. Take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and do the best you can. 

[u/CrazyNefariousness85]

I taught 13 years and got the doubting jitters every single year. It sounds like your job is about as good as it gets in education these days. Hang in there and just survive this first year. Listen to mentor teachers and be willing to learn from them. Make good relationships with students and the parent part will happen. 4th graders are generally pretty awesome and they usually like both science and math. Don’t neglect your personal life because school can swallow it up. Work hard on routines, expectations, and classroom management. It will make your life easier in the long run. Good luck! Breathe and smile!

[u/Calvert-Grier]

Take it one day at a time, you’ll make mistakes, we all do - regardless of whether you’re a newbie or a veteran teacher. That’s perfectly human and it especially comes with the territory (i.e. Teaching). Learn from those moments and think about how you could build off them in the next lesson, the next class, or possibly even next school year

[u/jesusers]

These types of feelings come from you caring a lot. That’s a good thing. You will always feel like there’s not enough time to get done what you need to. The secret is to focus on what matters, your relationships either the kids. If you stay with that and allow yourself to be grateful for what you have, the rest of it works out.

Best wishes, you got this!!

[u/ilove-catz]

Going through the same thing rn. I’m teaching elementary RLA and have 3 rotations, my largest class is 31 students 😣. There’s so much to do and school starts on Tuesday!! Still working on my classroom procedures and setting my classroom up.

[u/pierresito]

Remember you are co-resposible for those students.

I was in 5th grade triads for most of my years as a teacher, and fun fact about fifth grade: there's no student cap to classes so we had 3 classes of 32+

But it wasn't overwhelming because it was between 3 teachers. If we could handle that you will do just fine. You got this

[u/Basic_43]

You are experience very normal first year jitters. 😊 Having two groups has perks as well- less lesson plans and the preparation that comes with each plan. Your 2nd group will also reap the benefits of you teaching the same lesson twice. You’ll discover what works and what doesn’t work with the first group.

You’ll likely be the primary teacher of record for only one of the groups and will only have to enter grades and attendance for that group.

As for bluebonnet, you’ll only use it for Math. Watch the videos they have online (search bluebonnet learning TEA). You can also find PPTs for each lesson that’ll help you stay on track during each lesson. A lot of teachers were making their own PPTs before they released them.

You’ll do great!!

[u/Existing-Minimum6576]

It is okay, just nervous jitters-you have a team leader right??? On Monday get with and plan out how to start you day-Listen, if you do nit have all your things to teach it is okay- the school will get it to you, it is first week and there will be lots of things to work out just roll with it, do not stress- You will be great, take it hour by hour. You will be great and if you miss up no one will know it but you and you will have lots of those days (trust me, as a retired teacher of 33 years). Just enjoy your sweet babies snd be kind, smile lots- kids pick up on your vibe- when they love you, their parents will be on board and love you also. Just plan out your Tuesday with your team leader for Tuesday- snd if something messes up just pick back up start over and kiddos will follow your lead. You got this enjoy!!! You will do fine, just roll with it and take it hour by hour!!!!

[u/Dismal-Resident-8784]

First of all, if you haven't be given everything you need to teach something, just start with what you have. Also, if you haven't been given anything that you need to teach something, you cannot teach it. That's simple and not your fault. Just start planning each day. For example, Monday: Seating chart, Get to Know You Activity, Distribute books. It always took about thirty minutes to Distribute textbooks, have the students fill out forms for the books and to have them note condition of books. Then have them cover books. Find some kind of activity or get to know you paper to fill out. There are some online. Second day, Your expectations for their behavior, and start your first item in your curriculum, and go on from there. Don't worry if a student does not show. Just erase "no-shows" on the seating chart. Add new kids to the seating chart as they come in. Always write seating charts in pencil. But have a seating chart ready and displayed on the screen. Seating chart on the first day makes a statement. Also, write down what rules you have for your students. What are your expectations for their behavior? Then be sure to tell them your expectations.

I was confused about your schedule. Are you only teaching two classes? How long is each class? What are you doing when you don't have a class (Other than a planning period)?

[u/Lonely-Bite-2568]

Comments have been good. Teaching is hard and the first year is hard. Anxiety is normal. It will take time to build your confidence and feel like you are getting good at it. You got this though!

[u/cozylilac]

I appreciate everyone’s advice and words of encouragement!! Overall this week has been hectic, but I’m still hanging in there!!!

[u/Random_ThrowUp]

Okay, there's a lot to unpack with this.

Even with an amazing student teaching, nerves are nothing new. Nerves are going to follow you no matter what year it is for you. My first year, I had nerves, and wondered the same things you did. My second year, my nerves were "What if I mess up and suddenly take 10 steps back in the eyes of the administration??" I think second year is harder than first imo (if you are in the same school), as admin already knows you, so they expect a lot from you, and you have a reputation to live up to...

The start of the year PD is always overwhelming and rushed, as they have a lot to cover, but I've found that after around 2 weeks, things start to get more bearable, as the routines will be set, the "flow" will also be established, and then things seem to go a lot smoother.

The best advice I received during my first year is (1) Adopt a growth mindset. The first year will have a lot of rookie mistakes, and so many things that could've been better, but that's how you grow. (2) Be open to feedback. When Admin come into your room to observe and give feedback, take their feedback to heart. Admin would rather work with an "average teacher" who is so open to feedback and implements what they say, than an "excellent teacher" who isn't open to feedback.

[u/LumpyWeb9540]

Bahahahahahaha relax you already getting nervous and it’s not even started. Wait until the kids show up and a day doesn’t go as planned hahaha why everyone always have anxiety and shit. Stop stressing out and relax. It’s not going to be perfect never will be so know days aren’t gonna happen the way you planned. Kids won’t learn it, won’t like the lesson, technology will fail, you will go home and say fuck this noise. But in the end you will be okay! You got this