ANTICIPATION

Are the butterflies fluttering in overtime? Are you changing your first day plans every 5 minutes? Do you already have your "first day outfit" picked out and ready to go? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be a new teacher experiencing the ANTICIPATION of the first day of your first year of teaching!

This phase often begins before the school year even starts and lasts through the first few weeks of school. It is characterized by feelings of excitement and fear about having your own classroom, working with new colleagues, and the opportunity to impact the lives of your students.

The Positive Benefits of Anticipation

Curiosity 1: Anticipation and DopamineIn part one of this curiosity series, we explore the connection between curiosity, anticipation, and dopamine and discover why we remember things better when we are allowed to wonder.

Why anticipation can bring joy into our livesDon’t feel guilty for daydreaming; you’re not wasting time, this kind of anticipatory thinking is vital for our wellbeing

The Power of Anticipation: Why We All Need Something to Look Forward ToWe all need something to look forward to in life. A healthy sense of "anticipation" can often help energize our lives, and even help us get through tough times.

Tips and Strategies for Maintaining Those Good Feelings

Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New TeachersAdvice is available everywhere you look, and some of it is very good. But a lot of those tips won’t work if you fail to follow this one essential rule.

Plant Yourself

Keep your excitement and positive mindset going strong by reaching out to your marigolds for support at the FIRST sign of stress! Don't wait to ask for help. The minute you think it would be a good idea to talk something through, reach out!

Diary of a First-Year Teacher: Setting Goals"When I was student teaching, I gave it my all, consistently working thirteen hour days, and I’d find myself crying out of stress at least once a week. But is that lifestyle sustainable? Heck no. And I’m not going to let myself get like that again."

Set A FEW Goals

New teachers, (ok, all teachers really), have a deep desire to do everything all at once. And while it's good to have goals, too many goals will burn you out before you ever gain momentum. Feed those feelings of anticipation by choosing a few very doable goals to start and then working your way up from there.

Noticing the Good Stuff: A Suggested PracticeWe’re aware of the benefits of positive reinforcement for students, but when it comes to our own practice, how actively do we acknowledge our wins as teachers?

Tell Me Somethin' Good!

The first days and weeks will be a whirlwind of activities and emotions. There will be times when you feel overwhelmed-and that is completely normal! The secret is to not let those negative feelings take the wing out of your positivity sails! Consider creating a practice where you intentionally look for the good stuff that happened during the day, even if at first you don't think that's possible.

Why Teaching is Like DatingWe should want our students to like us, but not because we awkwardly talk about rap music and basketball.

Look, Ask, Listen.

One veteran shares his opinion with new teachers regarding how he sees building community and student relationships in much the same way he does dating. Intrigued? Read on-you won't be sorry!