It's Been One Week (**Barenaked Ladies Voice)

Surviving (and Thriving) During the First Week of School: Advice from someone who has embraced the chaos.

Ah, the first week of school after summer break—a magical time filled with the scent of fresh pencils, the rustling of uncreased (non-creased?) paper, and the buzzing (and yes, sometimes literal buzzing) of students who haven’t yet learned that 8 a.m. is the new 6 a.m. Whether you're a newbie teacher fresh out of college or a seasoned pro, the first week is always a unique blend of chaos, excitement, and the occasional existential crisis...but obviously we’ve been preparing all summer…NOT!

Having spent years “in the trenches” (I don’t really know if I like that; saying “in the trenches” sounds a lot like we’re at war, but we’re really not…are we?) of both urban and rural classrooms, I’ve seen it all. From the wide-eyed enthusiasm of kindergartners who still think school is fun, to the eye-rolling indifference of high school seniors who already have one foot out the door, the start of the school year is an experience unlike any other. And let’s be honest, no amount of pre-planning, Pinterest-worthy classroom decor, or summer professional development can truly prepare you for what awaits. (Side-note: we definitely need to talk about the beginning of the year PD that the administration puts on. That shit is WILD.) But fear not, dear colleagues! I'm here to share some tips from my hard-earned wisdom to help you not just survive but thrive during that crucial first week.

Tip 1: Embrace the Chaos—Don’t Put Out The Fire; Be The Fire

JK. If there’s really a fire, definitely put that out. It’s a safety concern. Just saying.

Ok, let’s get one thing straight: the first week is going to be super sloppy Joe messy. No matter how many times you’ve done this, no matter how well-prepared you think you are, there will be moments when you feel like you’re herding cats—cats who are hopped up on sugar and haven’t yet learned how to walk in a straight line. But here’s the thing: that’s okay. Everything is fine. It’s fine. 

Over the years, I’ve come to see the chaos of the first week as a kind of rite of passage, both for the students and for me. It’s a time of adjustment, not just to the routine of school, but to the rhythm of the classroom community you’re building. The key is to lean into the madness a little. When you find yourself facing a roomful of students who all seem to be talking at once, or when your carefully crafted lesson plan goes off the rails five minutes in, just take a deep breath and remind yourself: this too shall pass. And when it does, you’ll look back on it with a mixture of pride and bemusement.

In fact, some of my favorite memories from teaching have come from those chaotic first weeks—like the time a kindergartener mistook the class hamster for a pencil sharpener (don’t ask) or when a high school junior tried to convince me that "senioritis" now started in the 11th grade. These are the moments that make teaching what it is: unpredictable, challenging, and endlessly rewarding.

Tip 2: Set the Tone Early—But Keep It Light

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received as a young teacher was to set the tone early in the year. And it’s true—the first week is crucial for establishing your classroom norms, expectations, and culture. But here’s the thing: while it’s important to be firm and clear about what you expect, it’s equally important to keep things light and fun.

Over the years, I’ve found that humor is one of the most effective tools in a teacher’s toolkit. It disarms even the most reluctant students, helps build rapport, and makes the classroom a place where students want to be. During that first week, I always make a point of incorporating humor into my lessons and interactions with students. Whether it’s a silly icebreaker activity, a joke about how I still haven’t figured out the school’s new attendance system, or a playful challenge to see who can recite the alphabet backward the fastest, these little moments of levity go a long way in creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere.

Of course, setting the tone also means being consistent with your expectations. But here’s the secret: you can be firm without being rigid. It’s okay to let your personality shine through, to laugh at yourself, and to show your students that while you take their learning seriously, you don’t take yourself too seriously. After all, if you can’t laugh at the fact that you’ve accidentally worn mismatched shoes on the first day (true story), then what’s the point?

Tip 3: Focus on Connections, Not Perfection

In my early years of teaching, I was obsessed with getting everything just right. I wanted my lessons to be flawless, my classroom to be impeccably organized, and my students to be perfectly behaved. Spoiler alert: that never happened. And you know what? That’s okay.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in 20 years of teaching is that perfection is overrated. What really matters, especially in that first week, is building connections with your students. At the end of the day, students won’t remember whether your bulletin board was Pinterest-worthy or whether you stumbled over the directions for a group activity. What they will remember is how you made them feel, whether they felt seen and valued in your classroom, and whether they believed you cared about them as individuals.

So, as you dive into that first week, focus less on perfection and more on building those connections. Greet your students at the door with a smile (even if it’s a tired one), take the time to learn their names (even if it means using a seating chart for the first few days), and make an effort to get to know them as people. Ask about their summer, their interests, their goals for the year. Show them that you’re not just there to teach them math or history or English—you’re there to be a positive force in their lives.

And here’s the best part: when you focus on connections, everything else starts to fall into place. Students who feel connected to their teacher and their classmates are more likely to engage in learning, to follow classroom expectations, and to contribute to a positive classroom environment. And as a bonus, you’ll find that the more connected you are with your students, the more enjoyable your job becomes.

Tip 4: Practice Self-Care Like It’s Your Job (Because It Is)

Let’s talk about self-care. I know, I know—self-care has become a bit of a buzzword lately, and it’s easy to roll your eyes when someone tells you to “take care of yourself.” But here’s the thing: teaching is hard work. It’s emotionally, mentally, and physically demanding, and if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not going to be able to take care of your students.

During that first week, it’s especially important to prioritize self-care. The start of the school year is exhausting, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of staying up late to perfect lesson plans, skipping lunch to catch up on grading, or sacrificing your weekend to organize your classroom. But trust me: burnout is real, and it’s not pretty.

So, do yourself a favor and make self-care a priority from day one. That might mean setting a strict bedtime (yes, even if it means going to bed before your students), packing a healthy lunch instead of grabbing fast food, or carving out time each day to do something that relaxes and rejuvenates you—whether that’s going for a walk, reading a book, or binge-watching your favorite TV show.

And here’s the kicker: self-care isn’t just about what you do outside of school—it’s also about how you approach your workday. Give yourself permission to say no to things that aren’t essential, to ask for help when you need it, and to let go of the idea that you have to do it all. Remember, you’re not just a teacher—you’re a human being, and you deserve to treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you show your students.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

As I wrap up this little pep talk, I want to leave you with one final thought: teaching is a journey, not a destination. The first week of school is just the beginning of a year full of ups and downs, challenges and triumphs, laughter and tears. And while it’s easy to get caught up in the stress and pressure of it all, it’s important to remember why we do what we do.

We teach because we believe in the power of education to change lives. We teach because we care about our students and want to help them reach their full potential. We teach because, despite the chaos and exhaustion and occasional frustration, there’s nothing else we’d rather do.

So, as you step into that classroom on the first day, take a deep breath, embrace the chaos, and remember: you’ve got this. And no matter what happens, know that you’re making a difference in the lives of your students—one day, one lesson, one connection at a time.

Here’s to a fantastic school year, my fellow educators! May it be filled with laughter, learning, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Do you have a story to tell? Tell it!...or at least let me tell it. Reach out to any one of my platforms to expose your experience(s), your truth, as both a human and an educator. I would love to hear from you!