First-Year Teaching: Crazy Stories and Advice to Survive & Strive

[@zediahcdemos9220]

I only just realized you guys all represent different stages of school. Lauren is Elementary, Bri is middle school, Rachel is High School & Tell was early childhood. I don't know if that was intentional when you guys were casting for this podcast, but the representation is appreciated lol

[@shanenanigans27]

Rachel? You mean Rebecca?

[@Itz_Happy]

Its rebecca lol

[@mayagreene7454]

@@scenepunk09 it’s not it’s just really just taxing and tiring

[@ezzi3]

who’s rachel 👁👁

[@myiamoore7985]

Who is Rachel

[@kathleenherron594]

New teachers, please, please, be careful when you ask for help. There are some very caring people who help in every way they can. My mentor told my principal about every struggle I had, so she decided to observe me during these struggle times. Trusting the wrong person created really stressful results. I only shared good things with my mentor after that to end those stressful moments. I found better teachers to mentor me, and I'm still in touch with one of them...34 years later!

[@robingoodfellow9171]

Sad but true. Our profession is stressfull enough, I will never understand why some need to be extra mean to the beginners

[@jennifersnelling1265]

So true. I am 4 years in, and I have experienced this.

[@ninimeggie4771]

New teachers, remember you have students who want to help you, let them if you want to! I was so obsessed with doing everything myself my first few years. This past year, I let the kids help. High schoolers can honestly do so much!

[@b1gr3d53]

when i was in high school our teacher had a hard time setting up the projector for class. our metal works teacher (rip mr basso!!) and us teamed up and made a metal mount that would hang from the roof. it's still up there to this day and we made it in 2005.

[@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher]

Yes! I’m continually impressed with how self-sufficient my 2nd graders are. Kids love helping!

[@claireeey84]

Yes! I teach 2nd, and I set alarms on my phone to help with pacing and I decided to let my most responsible student switch it off if I’m across the room, and that’s a game changer 😂

[@MGD07524]

My math teacher last year sent an email to my mom about me getting a C when I told her I’ve been struggling to even get a D since 5th grade and when I found out it just made my week. This was on the final to. When I found out I got a C I literally broke down crying happy tears

[@elisej7792]

Congratulations so proud of you!

[@diamondidisart5566]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@diamondidisart5566]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@robingoodfellow9171]

Well done! Keep up the good work!

[@ninimeggie4771]

For grades, something that worked well for me was telling my students " I grade at least ___ number of assignments a week, but you won't know which ones they are until it goes in the gradebook because I collect everything" In my district we had to have 3 grades a week. I would make sure the students didn't see their graded assignments until the following Monday otherwise there were absolutely students who wouldn't do the work on Thursday or Friday if they already had 3 grades in that week.

[@inumirsangelskagsan]

I started teaching last year, and I was assigned a mentor teacher. She didn't do anything to help me, like at all (never checked in with me or anything). I got lucky, though, because I found at least two teachers within my grade that ended up being more of a mentor than the one who was assigned to do so. Find yourself at least one person that you can talk to about anything!

[@KatlynJShute]

Thank you for encouraging teachers to call for positive things too. My fourth grade teacher called my parents after I had stepped in to help save a classmate chocking on candy during the Halloween party. At the time my district didn’t require the teachers to be CPR/AED/First Aid or Chocking certified and my teacher had taken a class before but he had taken it so long ago that he was nervous to do it. My mom was. Paramedics FireFighter who was the CPR training for a private ambulance company she worked for as well and her time with the rescue squad in our area. So I had grown up watching my mom teach how to deal with someone chocking. I had been her “helper” during her classes over the summer so I was very well versed in whatto do for anyone of any size or age. When the kid started chocking I realized my teacher wasn’t doing anything and without asking for permission to do it I went up to the classmate and asked him if he was chocking (never just come up and start doing the hymlic on someone. It can startle them and cause the issue to get worse or they could swing at you because they are scared.) after trying to get him to talk I realized he couldn’t and he was in fact legit chocking I told him I was going to get behind him and try to dislodge it using the standard get scared that I was suddenly bear hugging from behind. After about 2 or 3 thrusts It came up and he was s able to breath. The teacher had called for the nurse and no more than 30 seconds later they came running in. My teacher called my mom to tell her what happened and was apparently gushing over me and how he was so proud that I jumped in and new what to do. I thought I was going to be in trouble because I 1. Disobeyed what he had said (apparently he told me to stop and go back to my seat while I was talking to him but I didn’t hear/listen to him and kept helping) 2. He had called her and I assumed I was in trouble. But he was so thankful someone jumped on and felt really guilty for not keeping up with emergency procedures. He later told my story to the school board and explained how vital it was to make certification mandatory for all teachers and staff. Which they implemented the next year. I didn’t know about all the stuff about talking to the school board. But his act of calling home to talk me up to my mom was something I will never forget and made me so proud of myself. My mom told that story in almost every cpr class she taught until she got sick and had to stop teaching. The story gets even better. I found out all the stuff that happened after right before my senior year of HS when I was actually a CPR instructor myself. Walking into an elementary school in a different district to help my mom with a large class of teachers and staff get certified for the upcoming year. Before class begins while we were setting up the administrative assistant who coordinated the class with my mom was talking with us as we set up and guess who comes walking up? Mr. K himself!!!! (I swear to you this is true) He had left classroom teaching three years prior to join a district as their VP. His first year there he made sure they also have all staff trained in CPR and once again he told the story of his early teaching days and a child who chocked and a student stepping in to help because he didn’t know if he could do it. He (for many many reasons beyond just this story) was my favorite teacher of all time and someone I will never forgot. I had no idea my actions had been such a big deal in his career. I hope all teachers can make it a habit of calling/emailing home about something great the student did even if it’s not a big of a deal a mine was. It literally is something I will never forget for the rest of my life and makes such an impact. Sorry this was so long but, I was so excited for to share how much that one phone call home made such a big impact

[@christinacrusius1278]

That's an amazing story! It sounds like you made a real difference. I'm glad your teacher was intentional about recognizing your efforts, too. I also appreciate how he learned from the experience and dedicated himself to making positive change. Sounds like a fantastic teacher!

[@aubriemidori]

Can’t imagine how many kids were saved because your actions had such an impact on your teacher and that fueled his dedication to student safety. This was a great story!

[@LDSkyknight]

I’m a visually impaired adult but when I was in ninth grade (still disabled), I had a first year Integrated Physics and Chemistry teacher and I gotta say that he was the best teacher I’d ever had. Because I couldn’t see the pictures on the page because of contrasting issues, he took time and colored in the pictures so I could see them and him doing this for me meant the world to me.

[@ellengalbavy538]

Having been a SPED para for over 15 years before getting licensed, my favorite people in school are the nurses & custodians. At one school I worked at, the SPED staff all took turns getting treats for our custodians & nurses.

[@NAO-ut5zn]

I started watching y'all because I had to drop out last year, so I haven't been to school in awhile and I'm very nervous to go back, but this has helped a lot! :DD

[@MGD07524]

You can do I believe in you

[@NAO-ut5zn]

@@MGD07524 awee ty! ^^

[@Wild_kizzy]

Oh my God same I had to drop out cuz I was getting bullied and I had to go to the mental hospital twice

[@NAO-ut5zn]

@@Wild_kizzy oh no I'm so sorry! I hope ur doing well now :>

[@bestnarryever]

I hope you’re feeling better and that your experience coming back is as comfortable as possible ✨

[@megancorkey5365]

I'm about to start my first year of teaching. I'm moving to a new state because of a fun (and challenging!) opportunity, but your podcast has helped me prepare so much more than I thought I could!

[@uneditedtingz3131]

As a teen please don’t tell the kids that it’s your first year teaching, that’s gonna be a big mistake and congratulations!!!!

[@tylavidal1481]

I am a first year HS Art teacher starting in a month!!! I am nervous and really excited!!! I love art and have 2 teenagers at home so I hope I am ready!!

[@TeresaMimi]

You got this!!!

[@miaaaaaa..23]

good luck! make sure to become one of the best out there!

[@amberh.5393]

Best of luck to you. ❤️

[@renoodle5554]

Omg same boat! Starting my first year teaching art at a middle school in August. Youve got this!! 💗💗

[@tylavidal1481]

@@TeresaMimi THANKS!!!

[@datgachamaster5208]

Being a teacher has been my dream job!!!! This year in high school, I'm in a class called beginning in teaching. I can't wait for this class to start!!!!

[@Tiedye6336]

For all first year teachers a cross the US and around the world that seen this comment I wish everyone a great first year and hope you enjoy your new job!

[@yeseniamunoz4557]

I am a registered nurse and a high school science teacher and I would love to be on your show!

[@tweekurr]

Try their email! I doubt they personally read comments

[@nancytuula7528]

Y’all have school nurses! Total wish. T1D mom and soon to be teacher… so thankful for the staff and support we have but a nurse would have been great. Still, love everyone who has helped and supported my son. They truly are heroes!

[@cghforever1334]

when i was in second grade my teacher used a really easy system for bathroom passes. there were 2 cups in the back of the class, one for boys and one for girls. when they would go to the bathroom they would grab the cup and put it on their desk until they get back. it helped students and the teacher to know when someone is in the bathroom and how long they are taking

[@DragonsLily]

One thing that was recommended when I was in school to get my Bachelor's and Master's degree is get a job as a substitute teacher first if you can. I went to school while substituting, but not interning, and you get to see how different teachers teach, organize and discipline their classes. It gets you ready for your first year so you can kind of expect what to do or what you want to implement. It's not necessary, but it made me feel less nervous when I got more into the education system.

[@_Egg_]

Can I just take a second to shout out my elementary nurse? She was the sweetest and she always believed me when I told her I was throwing up constantly. In 4th grade something happened to me where my white blood cell count was up, and at least once every two weeks I threw up. She never once told me I was lying, she would always make sure that I was comfortable, and she never told a kid that they were fine without checking them first She also had 2 places to lay down and there was a small tv they could watch while they were resting I love her so much and I hope she’s still keeping up the positive vibes

[@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher]

First year teachers are awesome! Their energy and ideas are so inspiring. I’m about to enter my 18th year teaching, and first year teachers are some of my favorite people to collaborate with and learn from.

[@angel12319823]

I get so excited every time I get the notification for this channel

[@Anna-tk4of]

Same!!

[@abenasey6946]

Great episode. It's so important to get mentorship as a first year teacher, this can even be done virtually through amazing podcasts, like yours. Thanks so much for dropping these gems 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎.

[@samefa]

My husband works for a school district as a lock smith. I can't tell you how annoyed he gets when he gets a work order for a lock that hasn't been working properly for awhile. Teachers or admins have just been working around it, sometimes for years. Then he goes in and it's fixed in minutes. Hearing the bathroom stories just reminded me of so many stories my husband has told me.

[@alexandermariano9212]

Even though I am a manager for an engineering firm there is something I tell all my employees and I think all of y'all hit the nail on the head. Veteran teachers, or veteran any job will have their own way of doing things and as a new employee or first year teacher I think it is important to try all the different methods of doing whatever job you are hired for then find what works best for you and go with it. Keep up the good work and I wish good vibes to all teachers but especially our first year teachers. The veteran first year or anything in between teachers, y'all are the real MVP's.

[@reeselipe6553]

My mom works as a home school liaison, on an elementary school and she is best friends with the custodians so anytime she needs something moved or she made a sensory room in her school. She needed things put together with branches and things they did that for her and for amazing about it and she always make sure that she’s kind them and that she’s a great relationship with them because you never know when you’re gonna need those people.

[@camdenglazier3777]

I’m just a front end manager at market basket, and I had a teacher telling me that college was the way to go. I’m 20 years old and I’m making good money. Just wanted to let you guys know, that college isn’t the only way to go. Try and tell these kids about ALL of there opportunities. You guys have a great podcast, and I love the idea behind. Good job guys. I love it.

[@arozeisarozie]

I’m a teacher and I wholeheartedly agree!

[@kendrabrist9613]

I am a first year teacher at 45 years old. I know, I know, 😛🤣. But I am so excited for this new chapter in life and you guys have been so amazing! Thank you for the laughs and the reality checks. ❤️❤️ I hope everyone has a great year!!

[@tindee3052]

What were you doing before becoming a teacher and what made you decide to join the profession?

[@kendrabrist9613]

@@tindee3052 I worked in vet med and grooming for 24 years. TBH, it was a trip to the ER that led me to changing careers! My body just couldn't handle the the toll of working with animals anymore and I have always enjoyed mathematics, reading, and teaching my own children. So I decided to go back to college and now here I am starting my first year as a 5th grade Math teacher! ❤️

[@dxrkfoxx]

wishing you a good school year!!

[@krissinamouse]

Another fantastic first year book, "Educating Esme" and there is another one, "Discipline without Stress, Rewards, or Punishment". Good luck first years!!! We all love you so much!!!! 💖💖💖

[@EducatorKae]

Awesome advice!! Be willing to build those professional relationships with other educators and support staff at your school. This is so key!! 1. Take time off when you need to. 2. Wear comfortable shoes!! 3. Have a plan in place for those bathroom breaks that don’t fall perfectly during your planning time or specials. 4. Have a good time! Your classroom is a safe space for many students. Enjoy the experience. 🖤

[@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher]

Love your list! Comfortable shoes are a must. Would also add that learning not to take your work home with you is a good goal too.

[@laurenh614]

stay away from the negative people! find the teachers with the positive attitudes and make them your people!

[@deathlyshadow1]

The teachers are off duty and so am I!! Lets go

[@bsheaff1540]

Second. Who agrees this is the best teacher YT channel. Except for Ms. Rogers, Ms. Woolley, And Bri. To all the first year teachers good luck!! Becca’s thank you was so cute 13:21. 18:08 OKAYY 😂

[@miahadams5183]

Thank you so much for the good luck

[@bsheaff1540]

@@miahadams5183 no problem. You will do great!

[@Christina-Claire]

Reminds me of my mum's first year. Her biggest lesson was you cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube. So start the year with a behavioural expectation of students. You can always relax you can never regain control.

[@user-ql2gh2oo3l]

I love your podcast, it has helped me relax and not stress about my experience as a first teacher. I recently started teaching college and it has being so overwhelming, I feel like I don’t fit in, I’m the youngest teacher in the program, you guys advice in this particular podcast has helped me a lot, I take so much work to my house and in my free time I’m making programs and work, I know you guys talk about pre-k to high school but it’s almost the same in a sense.

[@b1gr3d53]

i have been watching you guys because my caregiver i've been with for 19 years is a teacher and a TA for special needs. this insight into the education system is a eyeopener for what she goes through every year teaching.

[@MrWurmfood]

Love this episode and I'm going to share it with the first year teacher that I'm going to be mentoring this year. On a side note, if you want to help make your nurse's day, make the notes you send kids with funny. I've made this a mission and students always come back telling me about how the nurses loved it. Example: "Student's nose won't stop leaking. Please fix."

[@Chris-wl7nl]

All good advice! Year 16 and still making changes!

[@w.k.astrolabe280]

I was interviewed and hired for a job on a Friday at the end of August. I showed up on Monday and the rest of the department was like, "Um... who are you?" I had to explain to them that their department chair had quit the previous Thursday. My second year of teaching I was at a school that our admin LITERALLY watched us from outside the building get to work and leave. We had a 10 min window to be there in the morning and a 10 min window to leave after our contract hours or we would get reprimanded. It just added a bunch of extra stress to my day.

[@racheljohnstone9574]

The learning to only work your contract hrs is a learning curve in every job. I have been a permanent staff member in a resthome for 5 years and have just learnt to only do my job. That is a good piece of advice for everyone.

[@robingoodfellow9171]

Thank you, it surely is! Where I live teachers do no get contract hours, though, we just get classes assigned and have to deal with it...

[@spookyt8692]

These guys seem chill as fuck as teachers. Wish I had them. When I was 10/11 I forgot my book in the libary and my teacher made me stand up infront of the class and say I was a miserable worm. 20 years later and I still remember it, so if you ever see this Mr Thompson who worked at kit bridge middle school, If I ever see you again it’s man on man this time :D

[@musicfreak21able]

My elementary school had the best best secretary which was my grandma but she did so much and now they miss her so much since she retired. She was there for everyone

[@chiyo2604]

Y’all, this be a blessing. Going into my 4th year of education in Alberta, and I’m gonna be undergoing practicum soon. This is amazing, thank you!!

[@AutumnJoy]

I’m not a teacher and I don’t have school age kids but I find this extremely interesting and I love it

[@ryson1862]

I love all the episodes on this podcast, but this one I love a little more. Super helpful to hear these things as someone who is starting college soon, majoring in education! Love you guys!!

[@woodypacer3395]

I've only watched two of yalls podcasts so far but I now see all the anxiety and stress that my teachers go through just to make a living and I appreciate yall sharing your stories

[@gabeames6059]

Y'all are so fun, I love listening to your weekly vids, they are so fun to listen and watch, I wish all of y'all the best, I do thank you for making me smile and laugh every time I see a video of y'all's. Thanks for making me happy and laugh all the time. Your podcast is so informative it makes me see another view and it also shows me how teachers feel about certain things, and it helps me understand what teachers are going through and it makes me know more as a student. Thanks for making great vids!!!!

[@carlyturman7438]

I wish you guys were my teachers. I struggle and I had teachers pass me, so they didn’t have to teach me, they also put me in special Ed class and I didn’t learn anything. Now with me being a preschool teacher in north Caroline, I make sure each kid gets my love and get the help they need. Help them grow and improve

[@theneurodivergentcounselor]

My first year as a school counselor (no prior teaching experience) was hilarious. I came in halfway through the uear with my 5 ft petite self who has tattoos and a lip piercing. My teachers had no idea what to expect from me. Then they realized I knew my stuff and it got better. And 3.5 years later I'm school counselor of the year for my district.

[@LoisLaMañe]

Put on a cape so you can be super mad 🦸‍♀️🤣 I just found this podcast and I love it!! Lol thank yall for everything yall do, yall definitely deserve a raise!

[@comet_0209]

Yall have alwayse helped me get out of my mental spirals thank you for getting me out of my depression and stress when my parents ignore and deny it! Thank you!

[@mikmikmikky]

Listening to this while about to start my first semester as an English education major… THANK YOU!!! Trying to start taking in tips early so my future classroom is as efficient as it can be ❤

[@palante4873]

This podcast makes me so nostalgic! I used to be a high school teacher and now I am in the medical field as a PA-C, and I can tell you medicine and teaching are not that different, and the experiences I have with patients are very much similar to those with students. And Admin in the teaching world is very similar to Admin in the medical world. I would love to talk to you more about it if you ever do an episode about medicine and teaching! Thanks for these episodes, they give me a good laugh, we need more teachers/ teacher personalities in medicine!

[@destinyharvey8499]

Can I just say I found you guys on TikTok individually and I love you guys. My daughter is about to start preschool. I want to bring something for her teacher each year that shows I appreciate them!

[@spiderwhispers]

Thank you so much. 💓 I had a rough first and second (mid) year. I was so burnt out and overwhelmed with home issues and work. Thank you for encouraging us teachers to not solely base our experience and expectations on our first or second year. I feel rejuvenated to try again 🫂 God bless you.

[@haleytebbe718]

Binging this podcast. Love it! I'm remembering things from my time in public school. So many amazing teachers and admins.

[@Brody_hdz]

I’m really thinking about becoming a teacher so this was a great watch. I appreciate y’all!

[@melrod1318]

I homeschool and every year I ask my kids what they want to learn about. I write them down and focus on those more then some of the other things.

[@emilylajoie901]

Personally not a teacher tho I am related to a ex teacher grandma who taught for 30+yrs in a single classroom. Your kids are your best decorators! Use the assignments to decorate an those classes were my favorite growing up

[@l1ttlelight]

I really appreciate this episode. I start teaching next year and I’m fresh out of my undergrad so it’s a little daunting for me. Stuff like this helps calm my nerves. Thanks guys, keep it up!

[@miahadams5183]

I am a first year teacher and I don’t know how to board students when they’re either doing something good or when they get a question right

[@joy.taylor.a]

I absolutely love this channel! You guys are so great and funny! As a college student going for education, it's nice to see positive teachers making a difference!

[@lyndsycarson8302]

On Fort Benning in GA they ask us to register and re-register early so that they knew how many teachers they needed. there are several schools on base so it’s government but since it’s military and we are known for having lots of babies there are always long term subs to cover all the maternity leave because they get several months off and i think that amazing

[@colesprouseful]

Also school bus drivers, we are treated about the same as teachers. I was a school bus driver for 4 years before Covid. And my dad was a school bus driver for 31 years. And it’s crazy the stuff and crap we have to deal with and go through.

[@arozeisarozie]

I can’t believe how poorly you are treated. I’m a teacher and we so appreciate you.

[@Savvyrose96]

What do you guys personally do when you have a student whose mother or father passes away? I lost my mom in 7th grade I was 13. I am 26 years old now and I will NEVER forget all the teachers who showed up to the service... or made a meal for us or took me or my brothers shopping. Even keeping us over night so my dad could have a break.

[@legenderyalexgfl1222]

OMG i love yalls episodes

[@amberdawnthemjohnsons9908]

Mr. Principal ❤🎉🎉 You have a FOREVER place in my heart… & I mean that yeah

[@mechulyeldell1094]

First year teacher. Tomorrow is first day. Still about 4 weeks till kids come back.

[@hannahalford2678]

I’m moving to Charlotte, NC for my first year teaching position! This seems so surreal

[@Destiny-dn1rs]

I’m not a teacher but this is my first year as a case manager. This was useful 💕

[@noelz1991]

I love how real bri is!!!

[@carterferguson9299]

My mom had a FND job she got it three weeks ago and she’s so Happy for her job

[@vor6126]

You guys are amazing !

[@christinaruby7536]

First year teacher here!!!! So excited!!

[@Starriaaa]

I love the chemistry of this group.

[@Jen-cj2br]

Starting my first year next week. Thank you!!

[@Leticia-ti5cd]

I started watching you guys on Facebook with your little short videos and I had to find you somewhere I was gonna start listening to the podcast but then I seen you guys had them on videos. I’m super excited

[@amberh.5393]

I’m not a teacher, but I absolutely love listening to all of you. Thank you for all of the hard work y’all do to teach our future. ❤️ My only suggestion is to please say what the acronyms are that you use. Those of us not in the teacher world don’t know what those terms mean. 😉 Also, a suggestion for a future episode: from a teacher’s perspective, what are the best ways for parents to be involved in their kids’ lives to better help them in the classroom? I would love to hear the perspectives for each level (elementary, middle, and high school). My little one starts kinder this year, so I am especially interested in hearing the suggestions for elementary kids.

[@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher]

Agree on the acronyms! As a teacher, sometimes I feel like we have more acronyms than the military. 😆 As to your suggestion, I’m definitely not an expert, but as a 2nd grade teacher I always recommend parents read to and with children (ANY books that they’re interested in). Additionally, social skills like waiting your turn and delaying gratification. Also allowing children to work through problems and challenges instead of rescuing them immediately - something that I’ve had a hard time learning as a parent myself!

[@amberh.5393]

@@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher thank you so much for your recommendations! We do some of these with our son, but you mentioned a few we haven’t, so my husband and I will definitely try to integrate them into our lives. Our son starts kindergarten on Monday. He’s our only one and we can’t believe the time has come! I’m going to be a mess at drop off. 😭

[@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher]

@@amberh.5393 First day of Kinder is so exciting! He’s going to do great. Have fun!

[@aprilmgjt]

I’m in college now to be a teacher, my advisor told us day one to buy the Harry Wong book. I love it!!!

[@CarinRenee]

Our high school nurse used to give us girls coffee for menstrual cramps..sometimes I would just go to get the coffee 😂 at some point she had to stop though, not sure wat happened but i always remember that perfect cup of instant coffee 🥰

[@CoreyAnneTeacher]

My first year teaching was beyond awful and almost caused me to leave the teaching field. I was hired by a school district that has a reputation for being very difficult to get a position if you don’t have someone on the inside you know dropping your name. Well I was hired to teach 5th grade resource room/in class support. I got along great with my co teacher as well as the entire 5th grade team and the other special education teachers. I got nothing but great evaluations and reviews the entire first semester and the start of the 2nd half of the school year. Then suddenly I had my supervisor do a drop in evaluation and before I even received any feedback my principal did a drop in evaluation less than a week later (this means they both saw pretty much the same lesson in the same subject area both in my resource room). Both evaluations were AWFUL!! They was very little good things in the evaluations and a lot of things that need improvement with very little recommendations how these things can be improved. The areas that were Awful were areas they stated were great in past evaluations. I know as a first year teacher there are many things I don’t know and need to learn but this was excessive. I was pulled into the principals office shortly after the evaluation meeting and I was told I would be let go at the end of the year. He then went on to say that he was telling me early so that I could quit before I was fired and would give me a letter of recommendation. He also said he would submit all my paperwork so that I would get my permanent teaching certificate (the first year teaching in my state your teaching certification isn’t fully permanent unless you go through certain steps, are mentored, and admin provides evidence that you have completed all that is needed to get your permanent certificate) so I wouldn’t have to do it all again in my new district. It all happened (both evals, 2 meetings, and then being told I was being let go) in a span of about 8 weeks. My co teacher and other teachers I have worked with went to the principal to vouch for me and ask for clarification and nothing helped. The principal told me multiple times that if I quit it would look better for my record and I could tell other school districts I left for my own reasons instead of saying I was fired. I was so upset and had severe anxiety and depression develop and needed to seek counseling and start medication just so that I could get out of bed many days and go into work for the remainder of the school year. Thankfully I found a new teaching job for the upcoming year before the current school year ended. I kept in touch with some of my co workers after I left and the way I was let go never sat right with any of us. When the next school year began I found out that the teacher who took over my position was actually a former tenured teacher in the district who returned from a 2 year maternity leave. Our contract stated that tenured teachers can take up to 2 years of leave after having a baby and would be able to return to the district but they may or may not return to their original school and/or position. After some investigation we found out that they had always intended for my position to only be for 1 school year but didn’t want to advertise it as a maternity leave position. They put me through all that stress, heartache, and mental trauma and had me believing myself was a horrible teacher when it had nothing to do with me or my skills. Thankfully I loved the district I moved to and taught there for almost 19 years. I did have some issues with another administration team but I was already tenured and the administrators all left the district a few years later. I still can’t believe a school district would do something like that to any teacher but nevertheless a first year teacher who was trying to get their career off the ground. I almost left teaching all together but after talking to coworkers, family, and friends decided to give it one more go the next school year and I am so glad I did.

[@JayR-wg9jq]

these teachers made me realize that i really have a passion for teaching and even though i know the risks i do want to go into teaching (i'm not ballsy enough to go younger than college though)

[@robbysalz8710]

Y'all should do an episode on teacher unions, and how they can be better

[@YESSHaley753]

I needed this video so much. I just got hired less then a week ago for a 8th grade social studies position and start next Wednesday. Wouldn’t be so bad but i live 500+ miles away and move in to our new place two days before school starts 😅 pray for me! New school, new state, new grade level.

[@allichamberis1659]

Lmfao I’m dying thinking about my high school art teacher…he had an ENTIRE toilet seat with the screamer painting on the lid. It was fucking awesome.

[@sabby6237]

This podcast has taught me so much about teachers.

[@haylee662]

So glad to hear the admin side of the story!

[@whtphntm6005]

Okay but why did I just low-key headbang to the intro I was so excited

[@chloegosdin7961]

I just felt like I needed to say this I found you on Facebook and now I’m starting the entire podcast…

[@sylvesTAU]

Nope. I'm entering my 10th year teaching. I teach high school. I can honestly say that I made a commitment to not take work home. I even got on my mentor over the following years for taking work and feeling bad that no work got done. Find smarter ways to get work graded such as Google Forms, zip grade, and group assignments. And know that you don't have to grade "everything"

[@SteampunkGackt]

I love all these guests! Such a refreshing perspective to have an admin on! I also love and miss Mr. Tell! Does anyone know how he's doing?

[@mumffin7]

I just finished my first year teaching and am about to start my second and I love this episode. This makes me feel so much better about how I feel going into my second year and feels very validating for what happened and how I felt at the end of the year. Thank you 💕 ps oh boy do I have some crazy stories from the past year 🙃 maybe I’ll DM some of them to y’all.

[@mumffin7]

I especially relate to the “being scared to ask for anything at the start of your first year” cause boy oh boy was that me. I had several colleagues that had to convince me that the worst they can say is no when you ask for things, so you may as well ask.

[@mahailaclay6057]

I am starting my career as an assistant teacher and I’m going to do the online program through one of the colleges in my state for my bachelors degree! I’m so so excited and nervous! I’ve been trying for a few years to get a school job. I spent 4 years in retail and finally got a new job!

[@briannaarnold6053]

Productively struggle. I like that as a homeschool mom. You only get so much zoom time.

[@iamkah4789]

You guys are so awesome. Props to you guys for helping teach kiddos

[@Simi_Tutu]

The segue for the sponsor that was so smooth 🤣

[@kayd9244]

hello! im new to watching. this is the first episode im watching because im curious.. i saw a short and thats what made me tune in.

[@jaytee1766]

shout out to the feet loll

[@aubtay1]

I was a mid-year hire my first year teaching. It was a highschool. I replaced a coach who did nothing but show the kids videos. I came in at 23, fresh gradute. Second month of school, we did a lahoot review before our test, and I made the mistake of letting my freshman pick their own names. Didn't even think about what could go wrong XD immature jokes started, and that was one thing, but it devolved into kids making their names inappropriate remarks about my body. They began using emojis to talk about my chest. It was the first time I cried in my classroom.

[@Calinotch06]

I'm not a teacher - I was thinking it would be a great idea for first time teachers to: 1. be a substitute first, 2. be a teacher assistant/volunteer during college, 3. shadow a teacher your first quarter/year.

[@Lightbulb909]

Thank you so much for this video. I’m literally starting the day after tomorrow.