Back-to-School Toolkit: 6 Posts Every Teacher Should Read

The beginning of a new school year is equal parts excitement and anxiety. You want to make a strong first impression, build connections, set up your space, and establish a sense of calm—even when your to-do list is anything but. After 26 years in the classroom, I’ve lived that feeling more times than I can count.

That's why I’ve curated this collection of posts—to offer practical, encouraging, and teacher-tested strategies that can help you step into the new year with confidence and purpose. Whether you're setting up your classroom, planning your first lessons, or wondering how to really connect with your students, you’ll find something here that speaks to where you are.

Let’s dive into six resources that will make your school year launch smoother, stronger, and more centered.

1. Teaching Resources to Start Your School Year Off Right

This foundational post is a comprehensive guide to preparing your classroom both physically and emotionally. It emphasizes setting routines, modeling expectations, and prioritizing relationship-building—strategies that helped me build consistent, respectful learning environments year after year.

Inside you’ll find:

• How to establish classroom norms through co-creation
• The importance of modeling everything (and I do mean everything)
• First-week resources that help students feel welcomed and secure

Why it matters: A calm, organized start leads to smoother days—and fewer behavioral issues down the line.

2. Ways to Build Relationships with Students to Start the School Year Off Right

Early relationships are the bedrock of successful teaching. This post offers practical strategies to connect with your students from day one, ensuring they know you see them not just as learners—but as whole people.

What you’ll learn:

• Simple daily practices for showing students they belong
• How consistency builds trust
• Creative ways to get students talking—and keep them engaged

Real-world tip: A short note on a desk, a quick check-in at the door, or a shared laugh can do wonders.

3. 31 Quick Tips to Get Your Classroom Ready for a New School Year

This checklist-style article is packed with things I’ve learned the hard way—about lighting, organization, wall displays, even how to store markers so they last longer.

You'll get tips on:

• Organizing your teacher desk to reduce daily stress
• Making the most of bulletin boards (hint: less is more)
• Using visual cues to create a calm, functional space

Bonus: These ideas are bite-sized and don’t require hours of prep.

4. Teachers: Kick Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

Even after two decades of teaching, I occasionally felt like I didn’t belong. If that’s you too, this post offers ways to quiet those doubts and trust your expertise.

What’s included:

• How to reframe your inner critic
• Affirmations for tough teaching days
• Reminders that your presence, not perfection, is what matters most

From experience: The best teachers are still learning—and that’s not a flaw; it’s a strength.

5. 7 Ways for Teachers to Get to Know Their Students at the Beginning of the School Year

Knowing your students is key to everything else—planning lessons, managing behavior, fostering community. This post offers seven strategies that require minimal prep but make a lasting impression.

Try ideas like:

• Personal artifact show-and-tells
• “One Word” reflections to reveal student values
• Low-stakes surveys that give voice to quieter kids

Teacher-tested: These strategies helped me uncover what motivated, challenged, and inspired my students—insights I used all year long.

6. Crew Community-Building Playlist

This resource is a curated collection of community-building activities perfect for morning meetings, advisory sessions, or a quick reset midweek.

Inside the playlist:

• Team-building games with clear instructions
• Reflection prompts for deeper student connection
• Simple energizers that build trust without taking up too much class time

Great for: Creating a classroom where students support each other—and where learning feels personal.

Final Takeaway

There’s no single “right way” to start the school year, but these resources are a great place to begin. They come from years of trying, adjusting, reflecting—and they’re designed to give you tools that are practical, flexible, and grounded in real classroom experience.

Reflection Question:
What’s one thing you’ll do differently this year to make the start of school more intentional?

Spread the Word & Stay Connected

If you found these back-to-school resources helpful, chances are another teacher in your circle will too. Share this post with a colleague, your grade-level team, or your favorite teacher Facebook group.

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