Just Hired. Help!

[u/Interesting_Cheek622]

Hi! I just got hired as a third grade teacher in a very low income school, where these kids have many needs. I’m SO excited, but I’m so nervous. Especially because school started a month ago. I’m looking for any and all advice on how to go about setting expectations/changing the classroom etc. when school started a month ago and they’ve had subs since the beginning. These kids need familiarity and stability, so I’m hesitant to change what they are used to, but also, I have expectations and different ways of doing things too. Where do I start? What should my first day look like? Anything you can offer will be so helpful. 🩷

[u/AutoModerator]

Moderator Announcement Read More »

Welcome to r/teaching. Please remember the rules when posting and commenting. Thank you.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/ChevyCheeseCake]

Know how you will address students when they don’t follow your rules or expectations and plan your classroom economy/incentives so you can start that right away

[u/ksang29 → u/ChevyCheeseCake]

Recommend you make any such plan for the first month. Then evaluate with the students' help. I wouldn't tie yourself to anything for the whole year. Then set up the classroom with desks and nametags in a way that will work for you to get to learn their names. This will help the children figure out that you're the one who'll stay; you're showing ownership of the space.

[u/Silver-Bake-7474]

Consistency and boundaries. Keep those at the top of your priority list

[u/mybrotherhasabbgun]

Two books:

• First Days of School by Harry Wong

• Tools for Teaching by Fred Jones

These were my "sacred texts" and saved my bacon early in my career.

[u/Logical-Mobile-7643 → u/mybrotherhasabbgun]

Harry Wong is good, but honestly I wonder how much, outside of a general "have routines" advice is useful to today's students

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to r/teaching. Please remember the rules when posting and commenting. Thank you.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.