How to Have the Best Start to the School Year | High School Teacher Vlog

Best Year Ever Episode 2
This year is going to be the best year I've ever had as a teacher. I want to help you have the best year ever too.
This was a short first week back, but here are some ways that I start my year that have really helped me to start off on the right foot.
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[@elanasafford5509]

I often tell my students: “Have fun. Be good. And if you can’t be good, be careful.” My high schoolers love that.

[@rossanaleblanc]

Good stuff!! I so agree with you, I will be a new teacher at 62 years old! Middle School math. I was an engineer for 15 years and was a full-time homemaker and mom for 19 years. Thanks!

[@SailOnSG]

I think black felt would look great as a background for your word wall. It would coordinate well with the chalkboard paint. Felt is sold by the yard, usually 30 or 60 inches wide. If you use staples, the holes won't show. Although I recommend using Velcro. Just put the grabby side of velcro on back of cards and stick them on that way. They'll grab the felt, no need to use the other half of the Velcro circles. Easy on, easy off. Make sure you buy the Velcro circles with adhesive. Velcro is also sold by the yard off a roll or in pkgs by the dozen or two. There's a Joann's Fabrics in Cherry Hill. Ask for help if you don't spot either item. (For example, the felt by the yard isn't near the felt squares.)

[@toocoolformiddleschoolblog]

Such a good perspective for the beginning of the year. We'll get there! And seriously that custom storage behind you is FIRE!

[@Lisaloo66]

Dreaming that you are naked in a situation is an indication of emotional vulnerability. This makes sense listening to your love of authenticity!

[@gibsonedu]

Breaking the script with students is a great way to jar them out of that auto-response mode...and a lot more fun.

[@HotforTeaching]

I am just binge watching you videos trying to get inspiration for my next video. You are definitely my favorite teacher youtuber.

[@AhappyteacherAtruestory]

One of my favorite good bye lines is : "Bye! And don't get drunk!" Wink wink. They are 12.

[@WillStinton]

There was wine in the catine for teachers at the lycée in Les Landes I taught in lol

[@AhappyteacherAtruestory]

Will Stinton Don't say this sacred secret that makes us the world best teachers ever! 🍷😃

[@CJReynolds]

+A happy teacher - A true story YES! I do the same thing when I start class. Sometimes instead of "okay gentlemen" or "I need your attention" I will say " okay mutants!" It gets everyone's attention and then we all laugh about it. What ever works, works.

[@aestheticbookworm9163]

Yeah, they shouldn’t be drinking anyway. It’s a deadly addiction.

[@danamarie7069]

I teach 3-5 sped in Philly. No gift cards for me either, but hand written notes are the best! Once, I got a bottle of Jack from THAT ONE KID'S dad. I was so scared of my principal finding it and having to explain. It was a half day, luckily.

[@CJReynolds]

+Dana Marie WHAT?! That is hilarious! I love the notes too. For teacher appreciation day one of my colleagues had the kid write to all of the teachers that have helped them during the year. It's really special especially when you don't see some of those letter coming.

[@birdee18]

When I need my students to pay attention I say "Stop!" They have to reply with "Collaborate and Listen!" Who knew Vanilla Ice helped with classroom management. I usually dismiss by saying "May the odds be ever in your favor." They think it's funny until they actually read Hunger Games. BTW I showed one of my 8th grade classes a snippet of your video with the hand on a stick. They were all like "Ms. Derb, you do NOT need that!" Only makes me want one more.

[@CJReynolds]

Hahaha I can't believe you showed a snippet of the hand on the stick video to your class 😂 You totally should make one! One day I would love to have a way to other teachers buy the wacky stuff I offer in my class! So many ideas and not enough time!! I love the Vanilla Ice tactic, do they even know it's from a song or do they think you made it up? 😂 Thanks for watching, its much appreciated!

[@courtenaypuckett26]

Love the "summary" approach to the week! Nice looking and smart thinking about your room. Love the numbered chairs idea for HS

[@CJReynolds]

+Courtenay Puckett I love the numbered chairs. It's a huge help! Thanks for the kind words. The summary seems like the easiest and most efficient way to do this. I'm blessed to have children that want to hangout with me at night so editing every night is tough. 😂

[@MahraAlexis]

I think the bulletin board without the paper goes along with the look and feel of your class room. I'm super excited to see how you book ledge display turns out! Do you listen to any podcasts (teacher related or not)? Any suggestions? & Have you ever thought of putting TTL into podcast form? I love seeing the time and hard work you put into your class room, it's defiantly noticed. Have an awesome week!

[@dstuart8722]

I love the seat numbers idea. Also couldn't help but noticing the Breaking Dawn and Eclipse books on the shelf XD

[@fromcorntokale]

I agree 100% with you on Ice Breakers! You have quickly become my favorite teacher-youtuber. I love all the philiosophies you share. It is already well past my first day and I have things I wish I could have done differently, but having been out all week for Hurricane Irma this is a great time to start fresh.

[@themasterrogerdelgado]

Love the idea of numbering the chairs. I'll do that tomorrow. :)

[@CJReynolds]

It saves TONS of time! Have a great year Roger!

[@happym5717]

I think you have a brilliant outlook on teaching and I imagine your students love having you as there teacher.

[@CJReynolds]

Thank you! ☺️

[@blackwoman3839401]

I love your classroom! It's so amazing! You can never leave though. You have wrecked those walls. Love it! I wanna go back to high school to have a cool teacher like you!

[@CJReynolds]

Technically the book shelves have to stay since I used school $ to build them! I would definitely help repair anything if I ever moved rooms or left the school but I would drag my tree out of there and take it with me 😂😂

[@jelenacvetkovic]

Happy start of the new school year, Reynolds! Keep up the good work, you are an amazing teacher! Lots of love! 🙋

[@CJReynolds]

+Jelena Cvetkovic thanks Jelena!

[@morganbronson7002]

Kraft paper found in the mailing section of say Walmart works for bulletin board paper. It will last and not fade for several years. You can also take it down and reuse because it is so thick. It isn't as fragile as the paper on the rolls at schools. 👍

[@woollymammoth1756]

I use fabric instead of paper as the backdrop on my bulletin boards. Fabric doesn't fade like paper does and withstands the wrath of push pins and staples a lot better!

[@CJReynolds]

Great idea, thanks for the tip!

[@whitetailpoet4243]

Thanks for the insights. I'm starting my first year as an English teacher in rural west central Minnesota after Labor Day weekend. I love your approach. Take care and have a great school year.

[@CJReynolds]

That’s awesome! I hope it’s everything you hoped it would be. My best to you. Peace!

[@whitetailpoet4243]

@@CJReynolds thank you. So far it's a great fit. I signed early this March so I've had a lot of time to hang out at staff meetings and get acclimated.

[@WillStinton]

I used to number the desks but I realized it impeded my ability to learn their names quickly. Now I pass out papers slower but I learn 180 names in 4 days!

[@CJReynolds]

+Will Stinton that's awesome! Good work Will!

[@TSRT]

Nice clipboard Reynolds, what a lovely gesture. Have a fun and productive year.

[@CJReynolds]

Ninja I hope you have the best year ever!

[@circlinq]

I love the way you're being yourself with students! I feel like we've been told so many times in teaching training HOW to handle students. But I feel like I don't wanna be that distant teacher only trying to teach you things. I actually want you to know you can trust and talk to me. And that I care. Have a great new school year !

[@CJReynolds]

Exactly why I started this channel. One of the biggest issue during college or student teaching is that no one talks about the importance of building relationships with your students and how to connect with them! That's part of my goal thru this channel. Thanks for seeing the value and importance of connecting!!

[@crystalhellopez]

Your room looks awesome, super unique. By the way, I made the flying books for my classroom, my kids, parents, and admin love it. Thanks for all that you do for your students and for other teachers.

[@CJReynolds]

Yes!! So glad you made them and everyone loved them! Thank you for such kind words, I really love what I do and hope to spread some of that to others!

[@berenicemartinez9238]

U seem like an awesome teacher!!! ❤️❤️your classroom - thanks for the tips!

[@MyeshaB]

Better than being in a kennel😂 hilarious. This is very encouraging as I go into my second year teaching middle school Ela 👍🏾

[@CJReynolds]

Best of luck!!☺️

[@audreyfisher731]

You are such an inspiration!! Your room is amazing and your school sounds dope!

[@CJReynolds]

Thanks☺️

[@Niamirismom]

That clipboard is life! I really admire your mindset. I'm in a different world at my new school, so I come to your channel a lot to keep going. Some days it feels like I'm swimming upstream, but I'm already bonding with them. I know all of us have purpose. Keep the videos coming and hello secret wife!! 😂

[@CJReynolds]

Thanks so much the kind words, I really do appreciate them! Keep at it and those bonds will prove to benefit you, the students, and your classroom! If I can ever help in any way shoot me a email, anytime! 😂 Secret wife says "hello"

[@ynieto4446]

I just realized that I hit the the thumbs up before it even starts because I know the video will be amazing!

[@CJReynolds]

Fantastic, thanks so much for always watching, it's really appreciated!!

[@ohalliplease]

Keep these coming! I love them! :)

[@ryanisaiah3308]

Thank you for your time and investment in us as teachers.

[@CJReynolds]

I’m really happy to do it! 😁☺️

[@SarahMinnich]

The remote in a box though! lol

[@CJReynolds]

I’m pretty proud of myself for that one. 😂😂

[@mmar8036]

Brilliant idea for passing back papers! That will save so much time.

[@ozgeebraryildirim680]

I came across your videos 2 days ago and couldn't stop watching..literally. I am going to start teaching this year. Its going to be my first year as an official teacher for middle schoolers specifically 5th graders.( english language teacher in Turkey). I really wonder if you could give me some ways of how I can introduce myself in the very first lesson of the year. I know that your first image that you present to students is really important. So, I wanna put myself out there you know, put an impression on the students' minds just from the first lesson, "hey I feel like I like her", or something like " I feel like she's a great teacher". You get the gist of what I mean. I hope so. To sum it up, how can I introduce and express myself to students on the very first day of school to kind of bond in a way (I know it takes time to bond but still..)

[@CJReynolds]

Glad you found my channel, welcome! I should have a video about my first few days of class out by the end of the week! Good luck with the school year and if I can ever help please reach out.

[@ozgeebraryildirim680]

Real Rap With Reynolds Omg thank you so so much. I'll be happily waiting for the upcoming video 😊😊

[@sarachilds-theonlyschoolin3438]

I need a suggestion of a dystopian novel for a seventh grader who reads at a fairly high level. He loves the sci-fi type, but we seem really limited at our public library, and I just can't find anything online because I don't know where to start looking. End of the world type books (trust me, he's a happy-go-lucky kid, I don't quite get this fascination). But this is his passion in reading right now. I'm ok with some language except for the F-bomb. Any suggestions? He's loving "Meanwhile" by Jason Shiga. He was also very happy with "The Boy at the End of the World" by Greg van Eekhout. So that's where he's coming from.

[@amromnemeth6850]

love this many thanks Reynolds

[@jennyjay7816]

That clipboard is 🔥

[@CJReynolds]

+Jenny Jay I don't know if he realizes that I will cherish that gift for the rest of my life. 😊

[@AmandaTeaches]

I agree! so cool!

[@csbainsuccess1737]

I have the same problem with icebreakers!

[@SteveFeatherstone]

Hey Reynolds, I have just discovered your channel and am working my way through all your vids. You are awesome! Quick question, can you explain your schedule to us? e.g you teach ninth grade literature, so if you have 20 guys at 9am on Monday when do you see those same guys again? how long are your periods? How many different groups do you see in a week that learn the same stuff? When is your history of hiphop lesson during the week? Do only one group of guys get to see your weird Friday stuff, you eat lunch with some guys in the cafeteria but other guys can chill in your room during lunch break. etc etc, just curious how you fit it all into a week. Just realised that isn't a 'quick question' at all! Keep posting stuff.

[@CJReynolds]

😂😂😂 Hey Josh! Could you copy and paste this comment into a email? It will be easier for me to have a thorough reply from there. Thanks Man! [e-mail]

[@laurawhy8813]

Super content, thanks.

[@TheUrbanFamily1]

Brilliant video. I want to take your class!!

[@CJReynolds]

Come on over! 😀

[@iroshirose3272]

Good luck mate

[@annenance9044]

Did you build those bookshelves behind you? Please post a video on how to make them and hang them so Grady don't fall.

[@jennyjay7816]

NEVER play that animal shelter clip again !!!!! 😭😭 😂🤣☮️☮️

[@CJReynolds]

+Jenny Jay 😂😂😂😂😂 I couldn't help it! That was the only time.

[@memo989]

Please upload a copy of your T.A. Application! I want to use something like that for kids that want to be my T.A. this year

[@gibsonedu]

Hey Extreme Ownership by Jocko back there! Do you ever listen to his podcast?

[@fvstplvnt]

yo the number on the desk is such a great idea

[@CJReynolds]

It makes everything so much faster!!

[@marie-everaymond1805]

I would like to know if is the same for women teacher to shake hands? Sorry for my english I teach in French

[@jjsmoot7024]

Real rap with renolds🤣🤣😂

[@lizcochrane3862]

We've been in school for 2 weeks and I still don't know my student's names. I teach 195 students and my largest class is 37 (!). Tips/tricks? Kids are starting to notice that I know the names of the students who are a little bit more tricky to manage if that makes sense.

[@CJReynolds]

+Liz Polowczyk holy cow!! 37!! I have no idea. I make up names for most of my kids because I don't know their names fast enough. Anyone else have any ideas?? What do you teach Liz?

[@AhappyteacherAtruestory]

I have more than 250 students each year. Having a "table chart" (a map of where kids sit) helps a lot. You can call them quickly, they are surprised that you know their names already and you remember easily. It is much more efficient when you call them by their names. Some teachers learn names from photos taken by the administration. Salut! (Excuse my French, because I am - French).

[@CJReynolds]

+A happy teacher - A true story Great idea!

[@lizcochrane3862]

Yeah! Large classes are the norm this year! We have a bunch of new housing developments right by our school. And I teach level 1 Spanish. Loving all the ideas so far!

[@Laprofeveganacubana]

Have them put their names on popsicle sticks (equity sticks) so you can use their names often and associate a face with it. Check out last year’s yearbook. Take their pics. Make sure you’re the one passing back papers.

[@jasmine3332]

This was so helpful! I am starting my final university practicum teaching block very soon, do you have any advice for me coming in at the end of the year and teaching a different teachers class?

[@CJReynolds]

+J Alloway Hi J! I would say 1. Jump right in. On that first day start meeting kids and asking them about themselves and what they are into. The practice of getting to know kids and getting them to feel comfortable around you will help you when you get your own class. 2. Show up early and stay late. This shows initiative and you never know of that school will offer you a job. 3. Get involved. Volunteer to help collect tickets at the play. Chaperone the school dance. Anything that gives you more experience. Have fun and enjoy the ride!

[@Here2Watch.]

I hate ice breakers too!

[@Desantis-rk2wu]

Wish I had a teacher like u freshman year mine called me stupid now I’m getting 90s Inmy English class junior year

[@clydedls]

How do you make an intro

[@blackveilkirby]

3:30 there was just no need!

[@CJReynolds]

There’s always a need for Sarah McLachlan!

[@tele1974]

Your hired. What would it cost to hire you as my classroom management coach?

[@CJReynolds]

Why don’t you email me and let me know what the issue is and we can see what we can do?

[@clydedls]

I was the fist like

[@clydedls]

First

[@grady08]

Never. Play. The. Dog. Video. Again!!!