Back To School – From a Teacher’s Perspective

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There’s a funny saying that goes around each year.  June is like Friday, July is our Saturday and August is a long Sunday night!  This is definitely true. The business of August is something that shows that school is right around the corner.   Families are squeezing in one last vacation and school supplies are being labeled!

Scissors?  Check!

New shoes? Found some!

Ready for a brand new school year? I sure hope so!

If you are feeling a bit nervous about what to expect this school year, you are not alone.  Every single teacher (no matter how long they’ve taught) feels nervous too!  Don’t get me wrong.  Teachers are excited and prepared for the upcoming year but it is a brand new group of kids they get to learn about and grow with.  Here are some tips to making your school year a success – from a teacher’s perspective.

Communication

If I had to choose only one thing – this would be IT!  It might be an old cliche to you, but you really are a team with your teacher.  If there is a “Open House” event, please attend it if you can!  You know that little form that sometimes comes home with all the “Get to Know You” information?  The one that gets thrown in with a thousand other papers that need to be filled out in two days?  Please fill it out with honesty! Teachers do look at those carefully as you know your child best!  We appreciate the time you put into answering those questions!

There are things about your child that might pop up throughout the year that we’d like to know too.  If a neighbor friend moves away, or you are traveling for work, or the dog is sick, please let the teacher know.  It might not seem like a big deal to you, but especially if you have younger kids, it can throw their entire week off!

And of course, above all, let the teacher know any concerns you have both academically or socially.  There are things you may hear at home that the teacher is unaware of – as much as we try to always have 15 eyes in the back of our heads, it doesn’t always work that way!

Getting Back to the Routine – NOW

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It’s mid-August which means it’s time to start getting back to a more normal routine.  Trust me, I am going to miss the lack of schedule and beautiful evening sunlight as much as anyone.  But school days can be long and tiring so it’s helpful to start now.  Little things like starting to go to bed earlier or closer to the same time each night.   Waking up a bit earlier or closer to school time can really help too.

Starting to think more about school skills if you haven’t touched them this summer (I’m going to pretend that this is not the case for anyone).  Pick up the addition flashcards a few times, read a chapter book,  write a paragraph, that type of stuff.

Ready the Night Before

One new thing you might want to try this year, if you haven’t before, is having things ready the night before. As an elementary teacher, I can tell right away when a student had a rushed or not so great morning.  They might have forgotten something and are upset, even if I tell them not to worry about it.  Or a lunch was not right or forgotten.  Things like that can set their tone of the whole day.

Having the backpack all ready the night before with papers filled out, folders set, clothes laid out and lunch/snack made can really help the craziness of the mornings in most households.   This is something to definitely try if you had some rough ones last year.

 

Above all just remember that teachers are humans too.  We try our best and are so grateful that you entrust us with your little blessings day in and day out.  We will make mistakes just like your child will this  year!   But the best part is that we will grow from and learn together!

 

*** Disclaimer, I am just one teacher and sometimes used the collective term “we” for all teachers.  While I do think most teachers would agree with me, these are still just my humble thoughts ***

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Stephanie
Stephanie was born and raised in the Green Bay area. After meeting her husband Tom at UWSP while earning a degree in elementary education, they returned to the area to start their family and careers. Stephanie has been blessed with two outgoing and entertaining children - Landon and Ava. Teaching third grade keeps her plenty busy during the school year but she couldn’t imagine doing anything else! When she’s not at school, Stephanie loves to read, cook (and pretend to be a Masterchef), spend time in Door Co with family and craft/DIY. Her favorite thing in the world is to take her kids to free adventures all around town (or find a great deal while shopping her with her mom!) Literacy is a true passion of Stephanie’s which inspired her to also start her own business with Usborne Books & More!