Getting the School Year Off to a Strong Start

The first weeks of the school year set the tone for what follows. To start the school year strong, teachers must focus on preparation, classroom routines, relationships, and curriculum clarity.

1. Preparation Builds Confidence
Know your school’s policies, procedures, and expectations. New staff often find informal networks—like closed Facebook groups—helpful before arrival. The old rule applies: measure twice, cut once. When you’re prepared, you feel ready to lead.

2. Arrive Early, Be Ready
Time is a teacher’s best friend. Arriving early allows time to set up the room, review plans, and anticipate what students may need. Early starts lead to calm classrooms.

3. Set and Monitor Routines
Successful classrooms run on clear expectations. Establish routines for entering the room, accessing resources, and working together. Revisit and refine these in the first weeks. Students thrive when they know what’s expected.

4. Build Relationships
Start with names, then go deeper. Learn students’ interests, hobbies, and lives outside the classroom. Ask how their weekend went. These small connections build trust and show you care.

5. Know What You’re Teaching
Avoid “busy work.” From day one, students deserve meaningful learning. Ensure units, assessments, and resources are ready. When you understand your curriculum, students benefit from clear, purposeful instruction.

6. End Each Day with Purpose
Take a few minutes to reflect with students. Revisit the day’s learning and preview what’s ahead. It helps students connect home and school—and look forward to coming back.

Great teaching doesn’t happen by chance. Following these simple strategies will help you and your students begin the year with confidence and clarity.

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Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field.

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Author: Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field. View all posts by Dr Jake Madden