My First Year Teacher Story

It was the summer of 1998, and I had attended at least 30 interviews looking for the school where I could establish myself as a first year teacher. looking for my first teaching job. Time after time, I was turned down with the words, “You were our second choice, but we’re sorry…”

Finally, on a hot July evening, I received a phone call just as we started making dinner. It was the principal of the school I would make my home for the next eleven years. One of their sixth-grade teachers had just quit halfway through training in the school’s second year of existence. Seeing that I was their second choice for a 7th-grade position, I was now asked to fill the 6th-grade spot.

I showed up at the little school on the prairie the next morning at 7:30 AM. That’s where I began a journey that would be both amazing and harrowing, but that’s a story for another time. This is the story of that first year, my first year of teaching. I was making $21,034 as a first year teacher.

The school really was and felt like a little school on the prairie. We had nothing but grassland behind us, so we could easily go on nature walks. We were also all in modular buildings, i.e., trailers, so we had windows and doors open all the time.

Although I came in during the second year, many of the school’s policies, ideologies, procedures, and more were still being cemented. I got to play a leading role in those decision-making processes with my mentor, 5th-grade teacher Cheryl Lyn Sandbakken.

Teaching Myself the Subjects As A First Year Teacher

This particular school used a very complicated and detailed English Language program. To top it off, I had just missed a week of training. Although I tried to figure things out, it truly felt like a foreign language to me. I had to have others teach my spelling classes for a month or two until I got the hang of things.

Besides that, the training went fine, and I was eager to start. In mid-August, I jumped into my first year in room 20, with 18 students, including 2 Kelseys, 2 Jessi(e)s, and 2 Katie(s). I think I felt like most first-year teachers do. I felt nervous, excited, overwhelmed, and drowning all at once.

As the last person hired, I was given the subject left over when it came to our rotation subject. So, although it was not in my wheelhouse, I became a science teacher for a year. If you know anything about me, you know science isn’t my thing. It’s not that I don’t enjoy science but it definitely wasn’t my first choice of subjects to teach. I can cover basic science, but I fall apart when we get into chemistry and physics. Sure enough, the first unit that year was physics. I had to have my husband teach me the week’s lessons on the weekend prior so I would know what the heck I was doing. I felt crushed and depressed, but I was trying my best as a first year teacher.

Navigating September and October As A First Year Teacher

The year was going well until September. I was called into the principal’s office to deal with a parent complaint. It was from another teacher on campus whose kid was in my class. The mom, my co-worker, was unhappy because I used the word “screwed” when referring to messing up something, as in, “I screwed up.” It was then that I learned how conservative an audience I had at this school. However, I still felt the complaint was over the top.

Later that same month, my family and I went on a leaf-peeping expedition. I got the grand idea to pick and laminate leaves into bookmarks for my class. I could go on and describe how brilliant I am and how well my husband and I communicate, but let’s say I learned a lesson, “Don’t pick red leaves.” They are not poison ivy; they are poison sumac. If you get it over your face it’s going to cause some issues. Say you have a headache during leaf picking and stop and rest your head in your hands, the end result is your eye swells shut and you have no idea why. It takes the PA and the dermatologist 3-4 weeks to figure out what it is. Then, you’ll have to wear thick oatmeal paste on your face for a few weeks as you teach. That was October.

Balancing Sickness and Life Outside of Work As A First Year Teacher

Most of November came and went with pneumonia and bronchitis. I used up all my sick leave and then some and was away from my class for three weeks. Two weeks were due to illness, and the third week was for Thanksgiving break. Then, after all that, I returned for one week in early December. Then I was gone again.

This time, we had a pre-arranged trip to California to witness the wedding of my husband’s best friend. Only about 20 people were invited to the destination wedding in a mission in LA. My husband was the best man, so it wasn’t something we could miss. Yet, it was more time away from my class of students.

Finding Momentum As A First Year Teacher

Finally, the ball dropped in NYC. Prince was on all the stations (IYKYK), and the year turned to 1999. My class was learning. Things were gelling. I was starting to make a name for myself as one who could handle behavior problems and had a great management style, even as a first year teacher. I was done teaching the hard science (physics) and on to science biographies, life sciences, and things I enjoyed. I had taken over my spelling lessons. Reading and writing were going well. I was really enjoying my class, but the first year had one more curveball to throw at me.

A Memorable Spring Report Card Season

We took our students bowling for a reward field trip at the end of the third quarter in March. I was having quite a fun time and accidentally stepped past the foul line, so I slipped and fell. It hurt a bit, but I didn’t think much of it. Three or four weeks later, after a couple of doctor visits, an x-ray, and a nuclear bone scan, it was determined that I had three breaks in my right thumb and wrist. Finally, after weeks of growing pain, I was put into a forearm-to-fingertip cast for 12 weeks.

This was all fine and dandy until I had to hand-write out report cards in triplicate, with a pen jabbed up my cast and the worst handwriting known to man. However, it was all good when my class came in first on field day, and we had a beautiful and moving graduation day together.

Resources to Explore As A First Year Teacher

I am always thankful to the teachers who helped me through my teaching journey, especially during my first year. They gave me advice, resources, and a shoulder to lean on whenever I needed it. Below are resources that I hope provide you with support as you navigate your first year of teaching. The first link will tell you all about my podcast that I do with a good friend. We cover all educational topics, give tips, share resources, and bring on experts to share their knowledge. The other resources linked below will help you organize yourself and your classroom, setting you up for success with your students!

• Podcast for Teachers: The Teaching Toolbox Podcast
• Embracing the Magic of Teaching Routines
• Organize and Excel: The Ultimate Teacher Planners for Back-to-School
• Classroom Forms for a Successful First Year

Each Moment Shaped Me As A First Year Teacher

I walked into the little school on the prairie naive and new as a first year teacher. I taught my group of 18 to the very best of my abilities, and they taught me as well. So did my wonderful administrators, colleagues, and mentors. It was, by no means, the best year of my teaching career. However, it was a year that I remember well and fondly. I’ve learned a lot since then, but for a first year teacher, it was a first year.

If this is your first year, try to have an open mind. Just do your best, but give yourself grace and show yourself and others kindness. Learn about yourself, how to better your teaching style, and how to reach more students with differentiation.

If this isn’t your first year, take time to reminisce. Think about your first year, your experiences, your growth. You’ve come a long way since being a first year teacher. Be proud of yourself and all you have learned and accomplished.

Save for Later

Remember to save this post to your favorite teacher Pinterest board for quick access to the resources and reassurance that you will make it as a first year teacher!