Just be your authentic self. No amount of over-preparing will compare to the love you show your students by getting to know them as individuals and valuing their unique contributions every day.

Teaching is deeply relational work! Enjoy the process of getting to know your students and take time to celebrate who they are inside and outside of the classroom. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and honor your philosophy and vision. Remember your relationship with yourself and consider what self care looks like to you.

Stay present. Look and listen between the lines. ENJOY! Let the kids be your guide, don't be glued to your lessons. Curriculum is everything that happens in the classroom, not a purchased package. Teach from your passions and strengths.

Focus on relationships over assignments. Developing relationships opens up the student to wanting to be in your room and listen to what you have to say. Listen to them and they'll listen to you.

Relationships with children and families are the basis of teaching and learning.

The emotional toll [of teaching] is huge. I wish I would have taken more time to decompress in the beginning.

Set boundaries. Do things for yourself that bring you joy.

You can always go back and reteach skills the next day. You are not behind.

Remember that learning is both ways. Children bring to class something that they are trying to understand, but the teacher must be perceptive to what they think. Building from [students’] pre-knowledge is a must.

Learn the gifts of your students. Always reflect on the reasons you became a teacher, and be confident that you can have a positive impact on the self-esteem and academic growth of your students.

Teaching is an ever-evolving profession with no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. As students' needs change, teachers must adapt their strategies to meet those needs. Creativity and diversity should know no bounds as you work to meet the unique needs of your students.

Believe in yourself! If things go awry, don't see it as a sign that you are a bad teacher or that your ideas are bad; instead, believe in your ideas and yourself. Edit, improve, revamp and learn from what went wrong, but don't see yourself as a failure.

Never let anyone detour you from what vision and truth lies in your heart. Listen to your intuition, for you know what's best!

Ask questions, listen to the answers and remember the best people to have on your side are the secretaries, janitors and cafeteria aides.

You don't have to figure out everything alone. Don't isolate yourself. Rely heavily on more experienced teachers. They know what works in their setting.

Allow yourself to be a beginner.

Assumptions are futile. If a student is unruly, point them in the direction of their strengths then create/find accountability structures to reinforce positive behaviors. Greet everyday with a smile but also be real, if you are not at your best let the students know — if they have developed a relationship with you they will notice and ask anyway.

Do what feels right and good for your pedagogy. There is no perfect way or universal way of teaching children. Every child sitting in front of you is unique, and has a mind that will only fit them. Don't be hard on yourself this new school year either! You're a super hero without a cape. Overtime you will see it and believe it.