24. New teaching job? Start here!

<p><strong>Summary: </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Congrats! You just landed a new teaching job...but where to begin?! You’re so excited to start, but it’s still a couple months until you can really meet with your team or set up your room. Even if you aren’t sure of the specifics quite yet, there are a few things you can think about that can help you feel ready once back to school hits.</span></p> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Decide on your educational priorities:</span> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">What would people notice about how you teach and how your students learn?</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">What is the general “feel” of your classroom community and the learning that takes place there?</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">What pedagogical goals do you have for yourself this year?</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Classroom functions:</span> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">What systems (organization, routines, procedures, pedagogical practices) will you need to have in place in order for your vision to become a success?</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Brainstorm your systems with room for flexibility - things may need to shift a little once you actually get into your room or meet with your team!</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Content “big ideas” overview:</span> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Again, wait until you meet with your team to plan specifics, because they may have certain expectations or grade-level wide routines that you’ll be expected to accommodate. But you can d