You’ve laminated the name tags, triple-checked your seating chart, and debated whether to wear flats or something that screams “I’m in charge.” Welcome to the first day of school — the most magical and mildly terrifying day of the year.

There’s no amount of PD, Pinterest boards, or iced coffee that can fully prepare you for what happens when 20+ little humans walk into your room and suddenly... you're the adult in charge.

🛎️ Ready or Not, Here They Come

The bell rings. You breathe. You smile. You say "good morning" in your most convincing I'm-not-nervous voice. Some kids smile back. Some ignore you. One’s already asking to go to the bathroom.

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be perfect — just present.

They don’t need a flawless lesson. They need to know your name, your expectations, and that you're human. That’s it. You’ll build from there.

💡 Pro Tips for Surviving (and Thriving) the First Day:

• Overplan your activities, under-plan your expectations.
•  Something will take longer than it should. Something else will take 5 seconds. That’s okay. Flexibility is your superpower.
• You teach routines before you teach content.
•  Your voice, your transitions, your “when I raise my hand…” moment — that is your curriculum right now.
• Keep your intro short and your patience long.
•  They’re watching everything, especially how you respond to the unexpected. The first day is all about setting tone, not delivering a masterclass.
• Name one win.
•  At the end of the day, find one thing that went well — even if it’s just that you remembered all the names or no one fell out of their chair.

🤍 Reminder: You’re Not Alone

Every teacher — new, seasoned, or somewhere in-between — walks in with nerves on the first day. Even the ones who look calm are probably wondering if their printer will jam again.

It’s not about doing everything right. It’s about showing up, staying grounded, and starting strong… even if your definition of “strong” is just not crying before lunch.

You’ve got this. And even if you don’t feel like it yet — you’re already the teacher they need.

📘 Want more real-talk tips, stories, and survival support? 

Grab the full eBook: Class Is In Session: The Expectant Teacher Survival Handbook at shantelpatt.com

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