First Year Teaching Experience & Lessons Learned 

As a former student I will say you were the absolute bomb! Always super organized & respected our voices & opinions even though we were your students. Loved that!

Things I learned in my first year teaching: 1. Proactive > reactive. It's a mindset as well as behaviors. 2. Don't take anything personally. Student behaviors, administrative edicts, whatever - 99% of the time it's not about you. 3. Most of behavior management is in your setup! 4. Don't be afraid to pause for teaching moments. Sometimes students have something on their minds and you're just gonna have to talk about it. 5. Leverage your community as often as possible. Every elder is like a whole library - and they love to speak to young adults and pass the torch.

OMG I thought I was the only one who cries after some classes. Now I feel better with my teaching. Thank you so much for sharing

Always prepare extra exercises and work sheets. Keep your students busy, otherwise they break out in a mess😋 one of the things I’ve learned so far, thank you Amanda!:)

My greatest advice for first year teachers is don’t take things personally. Of course you should care about the work and the kiddos because that’s who we are as teachers. BUT kids, especially teens will say things and do things that will be a total trigger for you. Sometimes without meaning it to get you. Let it roll and don’t take it to heart. The other biggie is to show kids you respect and care about them, even when you’re disappointed or don’t approve of what they’re doing.

"You are doing better than you think you are."

As a Teacher, I learned to not only be proactive in and outside the classroom, but also to have a consistent eating pattern. Eating healthy snacks in between.

My first teacher experience was when I was 19. And I remember this moment with great emotions because at that day I understood that I love my profession

I am a student teacher who goes to the classroom a year early due to the lack of teachers. I have a lot of stress because my learning is not perfect. But I learned a lot by watching your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.

LMAO! Good for you! I have been a teacher for 25 years. The first day never changes, but we do. Keep up the good work. We are the most important people to reach these kids. They drives us crazy, but at least they drive us. Shout out to all of the teachers out there! This is one of the most difficult yet rewarding and thankless jobs in the world. Unless you have been a teacher, you will never understand. Parents have dumped their responsibilities on us as have the states. However, we rise to the occasion as decent human beings and keep things going. Big shout out to all of the teachers pushing through in this world! God bless you! You are doing amazing work!

This is so GOOD!! I’m a high school teacher in South Africa, been teaching for 2 years and watching this, I kept saying “YESSSSSS AMANDA!!!” I still cry 😂 by the way 😂

I really needed to hear this. Thank you so much

Such great advice! Thanks for sharing your experiences :)

Thank you very much ! I'm a first time teacher so this is really useful to me ! :D

Amazing advices, thank you Amanda

This is extremely raw, and helpful. Thank you.

Hi! Chem and maths teaching student from Australia and your teaching videos are so helpful!! Thanks so much x

You give such great advice! So thankful to have co across your page

Thank you for this video ! I just graduated in December and are lacking motivation to find a job in education but this has motivated me to get back into it.

This is just an amazing video! Next year is hopefully my first year of teaching and this has inspired me so much and has got me so energised! :)

Love your personality and your reflection! Keep up your videos and confidence

I’m looking forward to teaching middle school in the near future! Thank you for sharing ✨

As a person who is about the start teaching this year, I really appreciate your tips. They are so helpful, thank you :)

Thanks I listened to it in the middle of the school day and it made me feel better ☹️💓

amazing!!! 😍 this will be so helpful

Amanda! This is my first year and every time that I Feel bad about a lesson I go and watch your video it makes me feel better.

I'm back in school to get my teachers degree and I'm loving your videos! ❤

Dear Amanda, how incredible it is we all feel related to most of your stories about teaching along the way. its such a pleasure to listen to what you have to tell and teach us. thank you.

I'm from Brazil and I'm 22 and in my first year as a teacher. I can relate so much! You calmed me down. Love your videos

Thank you so much for sharing! I started out as longterm substitute myself, and it was terrifying. What I learned: Get used to saying no, be consistent with expectations, maintain student-teacher boundaries, accept students for who they are. I had one girl in my class who I thought for sure was going to be a problem child because she was so loud and so opinionated, but she ended up being one of the best writers and students in the class. I just had to learn to look past her bluntness.

Thank you! I’m 22 straight out of college (just graduated in December) and I’ll be teaching once we get back from the winter break! Needed this video!

I just found your channel, Amanda, and you’ve been so helpful already. I’m really anxious because I’m studying for the Praxis II in Middle School Science and applying to a teacher certification program for next semester. This will be a career change for me but puts me on the path to being what I’ve always dreamt of being: a school counselor. But I’m very nervous about starting to teach and your advice so far has been really reassuring, so thank you!

"challenge accepted" I love your attitude!

I just found your channel today and I LOVE it. Everything you share is so specific and important. I love that you include examples as well! I'm graduating in about a year and a half and you are my inspiration!! I know you're busy with your teaching so just know that these videos are appreciated. xoxo

I love this video! I'm a new teacher. I taught for a semester at a very tough school and I made some mistakes. I am at a new school and I'm so nervous about my first full year. I'll definitely keep your tips in mind.

I am not a teacher nor am I going into education but I stumbled across your channel. I’m just hooked on your videos! You’re a great storyteller :) I never really thought about all that goes into teaching. You seem like a great teacher and it’s obvious that you really care for your craft and your kids. So much respect for you! Keep it up 🍎 📚😄

Thank you so much for this! As a first year teacher dumped in the middle of the year, it has definitely been hard. I appreciate your advice and your kind words. I’m definitely going to work on saying NO!

Thank you so much for sharing your story in details and tips which also match my experience! Really like "You are doing way better than you think." So inspiring and encouraging!!

Great video! Learn to say NO!!! I needed to hear that. I did leave replacement last year for someone on maternity leave and this year I will be taking over her class full-time as a first year teacher in an alternate route program. Thank you for the great content.

I have just finished my first year of teaching (I did it!). This is such an amazing video, thank you for sharing your experiences and tips. I feel when I reflect on your 5 do's, I understand now why some areas of my teaching have been difficult-I also know now what to prepare myself for next year. Thank you again for this!

I can relate to the teaching yourself before going to the kids. I'm still in my first year and am having to teach myself a lot of the things i am teaching. Thank you for sharing your story!

Tomorrow is going to be my first day at teaching.. I really needed to hear this. Thank you for this video 🙏🏻

creating a routine also reduces stress for the students!

Honestly the weekly planning sounds fun.

Literally binge watching your videos! I was twenty-two during my first year, and I had a lot of the same feelings! This is my second year (after taking a year off to work on my masters)... and I am at a NEW school so I am feeling a lot of these feelings again. Thanks for your experience and encouragement!

Love this!!

Thanks Amanda for all of this .. i've enjoyed watching ! And also you engaged me as an undergraduate student in teaching English language 💙💙

just subscribed, I loved this. I’m in 7th grade but I really want to become a teacher!! 🤩💛 edit: oh my- I feel so bad for that tech guy lol

First year teacher from Sweden here! Im teaching swedish to 7 year olds and your tips are helpful! Some days of teaching is such a blast and the kids are motivated. And some days you feel like you are not enough. The best thing is that mistakes that you make is teaching you how to be a better teacher in the future! Thank you for this video 🙏

Thank you for existing.

Chairs and desks being thrown around? Nothing new under the Sun. You took me back thirteen years ago when I was teaching middle school. Spot on with the "5 things I learnt" points.👍

Lady I have to say you have made me feel better this Saturday night thank you. New teacher here.

Thank you!!!! You give such great advice!! I’m going into ST in January and these will all help me! I see myself in you and that makes me happy and helps me believe I can do this!

Love your teaching videos! ❤️

You explain yourself very well! I'm teaching English one on one and still I relate to what you share, even though I only have one student it gets difficult too.

Actually you r really sooo much pretty It's the universal truth😍😍😍😍 May God bless you 💟💟💟

I started teaching around February mid year and omg your experience is so SIMILAR to MINE. It’s unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!

I just started as a maternity sub and am having such a hard time with management. Today was so bad I was literally crying at lunch lol so I came to ur channel to rewatch your classroom management video. It is so great to hear this is normal and I’m not just a sucky teacher.

Yessss! I love these videos! I'm looking to become a PE & Health Secondary/High School teacher. These videos are so helpful. c:

Hi, Amanda! I’m student now but in a year I will be a teacher and start working at the school. This spring I was on teacher placement. It goes without saying that it was so exciting! I’m sorry that I haven’t seen your video earlier because you gave loads useful pieces of advice, especially about behavior and relationships with children and proper time management. Thank you so much for you video🙏

That last bit totally hit me! I feel like this year I have felt like I'm failing ALL the time, I wish there were more hours in the day to plan!! Thanks so much for your amazing videos!!

Thank you Amanda!! I absolutely love your videos, I’ve literally watched all of them! I’m currently training to be a teacher in the UK and start teaching next week and this and your other videos have helped me so much ! Xxx

'You are doing way better than you think'. This is so me! I'm in my third year of teaching full time and still stressed out sometimes. Thank god for my extremely supportive colleagues who keep repeating this to me. I also see a major difference since the first year, and it does get better over time. On bad days you just have to focus on the good things, on the good students on the good results, and always aim at getting better. Teaching is not easy, but it's super rewarding.

"We do teach the Future" - wow such powerful words. I'm 22 and about to teach grades 3-5 for English (and possibly Math), and i'm super nervous and excited at the same time. It's my first time teaching ever- and I can't wait to see how it goes. I've already done lesson planning etc., so hopefully it'll go a bit smoother. I know there's gonna be some difficult times, but like Amanda said- we gotta focus on those positive moments in the classroom. Wish every future teacher the best for the upcoming school year :)

Amanda: LOVE your channel, your shared experiences, and your personality. I am a third-year middle-aged teacher who pursued the "dream that would not die." And it's the best decision I ever made. I still struggle with classroom management and certain days I feel I have it conquered until...

These are really good points thanks for sharing I am a daycare owner but I can relate with my older after school children 😁😁😁

I was looking for a teacher experience video to present to a young group of students, that will becomes teachers, I love your video, It was perfect, thanks to share it.

Very useful tips!🙂

Love the channel! Great stories & advice! New subscriber! Starting my teaching channel so I’m glad I get to watch these videos!

Some of the feelings you explained are similar to becoming a mother for the first time. I am so happy I found your Channel. In this video I learned that when I have a vision I have to learn to make it becoming my reality. It is hard work to get toddlers, teens and even adults to respect us. And one way to make that possible is to know and respect ourselves. Thank you for your advice and for sharing your experiences! I am sure you felt very good after talking about all this!

Hi ! I subscribed because of your teaching videos and I'm definitely sooo grateful ! I am not a real teacher yet but I worked one year in a secondary school as a student teacher apprentice with another teacher and now, as a foreign language assistant, also with a teacher. So if you ever happen to have an assistant, trainee or apprentice with you in the classroom, please make sure that his or her position towards the students is clear to everyone. This is the thing I struggled the most with, as no one really knew what to expect or ask me to do. Besides, the students are more likely to be disrespectful and challenging when an adult's role is blurry

That is so true! Teaching can be extremely isolated because everyone is worried about what they have to do. I learned that my first year :Look for help

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!!

I am studying to be a teachers aide in Australia and find your videos and advice amazing. By the way had to laugh when you said no to your dog xo

Needed this! I graduate in a year!!

Teaching is really hard and underappreciated by students and parents. We not only teach, but we also have to protect the kids.

Next Sunday is my first day of my first year teaching intermediate school , I'm really excited and really scared . Your video helped me a lot , thank you so much ❤.

Hi Amanda, I am also a career changer. Worked at the bank for 25 years and now pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher. I have one more week of student teaching history in high school and I have struggled horrendously through it all. I've always received needs improvement on my observations because I'm not as strict as I thought I would be. I also don't know the content as well as I have not studied social studies (my bachelor's degree) since 1990. Your video was perfect. I was crying by the end because it was like you were talking directly to me. I have gentlemen mentor teachers (2 classes each teacher) who are wonderful but not warm and caring. I kind of wish I had a female teacher just for that aspect. These two mentor teachers are top notch teachers though. I spent my whole student teaching trying to be as good as they were because that's what they expected of me. One has 46 years of teaching (at the same school) and the other has 15 years. There is no way I could ever be that good my first time. But they had that expectation for me. My education program has bent over backwards to help me and I appreciate them so much. My husband does not support me because he's mad I'm not making money. I left a nice paying job in mortgages to get my master's in education. My in-laws don't support me because they don't realize how hard this is. I'm always trying so hard not to argue with them as their ideas of teachers are that we are terrible and don't care. I'm so sorry to have this comment so long, but I felt that I found someone who could understand where I'm coming from. You have a life long subscriber here (even though I know nothing of makeup and looking pretty.) Cindy in NH

You need to be strict, very organized and know what you are going to give the students also write anything that happens with a student down or any situation that can help you alot.

In two days i teach my first class by myself after four hours of shadowing. I'm extremely nervous since I'm still at university, so I'm worried the kids will not take me as seriously. I have five different plans of the lesson and I hate all of them and I've already cried twice. This video made me calm down a little bit because it makes me feel like "yeah all those things you think will happen might actually happen, but that's okay". Thanks

Hi, thank you for producing these videos. I'm preparing to start a master's program to earn my initial licensure. I have a couple of friends who are teachers that have given me advice. However, your vids are very organized, thorough and provide tons of information. I was an A student and never got into any kind of trouble in school. So it's good for me to learn about the whole mechanics of a class, to include the rude kids, the kids who never do their work, the kids who want to get out of learning any way they can, and the fighters. I would never have even thought about fighting, or talking back to a teacher. But I know there are kids who didn't grow up with that value system. Thanks again!

I love your experience

LMAO!! Yes girl. “No, no, no, no, no.” As a substitute teacher, kids always try to get away with things.

omg i neeeded this video right now

This year is my first year teaching. Kinda similar to you, but I shadowed the kindergarten/1st grade teacher for a week before she went on maternity leave. This week is my first alone with them and I'm hoping all goes well, the parents scare me though! but thanks for this

I would love to see how you organize for your classes / lesson plan. I feel that I am an organized individual / teacher, but I feel that I'm missing something. Would you share that??

I use to give teachers a hard time during 2nd to 7th grade then I started opening up my responsibility and I understand now why teachers get too sassy at kids. I'm sorry you got to go threw that mess but once again just cause their kids doesn't mean they can act up lol . Great stories and advices I'm not planning to become a teacher it's always interesting to hear about their opinions.

i. love. your. jumper.

I'm a student but I wanna be a teacher but I don't know which subject but I think it will be mathematics 😅

I'm on my first yearrrrr of teaching

I love your NY accent.

Love your videos! I'm contemplating getting into education in the UK. Also looove that top!! Where did you get it?

Wow! ❤️👌🏻

I love your sweater!!

I was too. And I did not have the first week of relationship building with the students, or the parents

can you do a video on cornell notes and an example!

Thank You ..

Please please please post more videos 😭❤️

you are soooooo gorgeous and you remind me of myself. we are super similar. love from a teacher trainee in London xxx

I will never think she is a social studies teacher because all my social studies teachers have been old I wish that I have her as my teacher