Let’s get one thing out of the way:

 You can graduate with honors. You can ace every observation. You can have the world’s best clipboard system.

 And still, nothing — I repeat, nothing — will prepare you for everything that happens inside your classroom.

The copy machine will jam during your observed lesson.

 You’ll discover half your students don’t have supplies.

 A parent will email you at 11:42 PM.

 Someone will throw up.

 On a Chromebook.

🚨 The Truth They Don’t Tell You in Teacher Prep

Here’s the secret veteran teachers know:

You’re not failing because you don’t know everything.

 You’re growing because you don’t pretend to.

It’s okay if you:

• Don’t know how to set up a 504 meeting
• Haven’t memorized your school’s fire drill route (yet)
• Had to Google “What is IEP compliance?”
• Missed the unspoken rule about using the other laminator

You are not alone. You are not unqualified.

 You are learning — while leading — and that’s incredibly brave.

🔍 What You Can Focus On:

 ✅ 1. Know your kids.

You don’t need to know everything — just be the adult who notices, listens, and adjusts. That’s powerful.

✅ 2. Know your resources.

You don’t have to do it alone. Find your people:

• That office clerk who knows everything
• The para in the hallway who always smiles
• That mentor teacher who gives tough love and extra pens

✅ 3. Know it’s okay to ask.

Say, “I’m not sure, but I’ll find out.” That’s leadership — not weakness.

🧘🏾‍♀️ Reminder: Growth > Perfection

Every teacher — even the ones who’ve been at it 20 years — still learn new things all the time. New acronyms. New apps. New curriculum changes at the last possible second.

The real pros aren’t the ones who know it all — they’re the ones who know how to adapt, stay humble, and laugh through the mess.

💬 Final Word

You may not know it all, but you do know how to show up. To figure it out. To make it work. And that’s more than enough.

Class is still in session — and you’re learning too.

📘 Read more chapters from Class Is In Session: The Expectant Teacher Survival Handbook (eBook Edition)

 👉 shantelpatt.com

#TeacherTruths #RealTalkTeaching #NewTeacherSupport #YouGotThis #GrowthNotPerfection