What I Do on the First Day of School | High School Teacher Vlog

I often get asked what my first day of school looks like in my classroom. For me it has more to do with getting excited about the year and less to do with laying down the law.

There are a ton of ways to start your year. I don't know that any one way is better than another. What I have discovered is that just like eating a Reese Cup there is no one way to make it happen. Find what works best for you.

Here's my take.

Peace 😊
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Kia Orion

[stacysmith]

Due to Reynolds influence, the main point that I will drive home on the first day is "I see you. I care about you. I am glad you are here today."

[cummingsmgmailcom]

As a principal, I showed this to my teachers at our welcome back. Keep up the good work. Very Inspiring.

[maxkeller]

Yo, brand new teacher here. I'm talking like, I was hired last week and school starts in one day new. Oh and I don't have a masters, nor do I have any teaching experience besides some simple rock climbing classes at my last job. After hitting a wall in finding curriculum for one of my classes, I've been on a new teacher video binge and all I gotta say is the knot I had in my stomach an hour ago has been slowly turning into excitement about the first day. Thanks for doing what you do, and good luck to all those out there taking a walk in my shoes.

[melh.]

I began teaching in January, so I have never had a first day of school. I'm teaching Kindergarten. If no one vomits, I'll call that a win.

[michaelwall]

For new teachers I would suggest to over prepare, have thick skin (just in case), don't show that you're afraid to be in front of them, show that you like being with your students and that you have a passion for your content.

[JustBethTrying]

One First Day of School idea is Leave Me Question. Give each kid an index card or sticky note and invite them to ask you a question about anything at all. They can sign their name or not. They just drop it in a container on the way out. It tells you a lot about the uncertainties, anxieties and the sense of humor your class has. The box and index cards can remain all year. Later on this becomes a safe way for kids to tell you things without telling you.

[yusufsmother]

Your daughters husband is going to have a lot to live up to. Great job Dad.

[vanishedinthinair]

Well, it's not what I did on the first day but every morning when I take the attendance instead of just calling their name, I ask a question the will give me an idea about the kind of person each one of them is and then they gotta answer when I call out their names. Turns out, they really enjoy this and they wait for their turn to tell me a bit about themselves.

[magickaldust]

Not a teacher, but I just wanted to say, good luck to all the teachers this year! Whether this is your first year, or you've been teaching for decades, what you do is amazing and I so admire you! Hope everyone has an amazing school year 🥰

[yogapants_teacher]

I’ve been a fan for years, but… I’ve decided to make the move from 6th to HS. I’m going to be rewatching everything. I also have a ton of energy, am that teacher that will dress up, be extra, really focus on engagement and relationships. I worry sometimes that I am “too much, ” and some colleagues have even said this. But I am convinced that they are seeing teaching as a job. It is so much more to me, but I’ve never really verbally shared that with students. Time to start!

[starship]

My most memorable first day of class was when my AP Environmental Science teacher start the class in media res with a lecture about coffee. It started off with what seemed like an impromptu conversation about coffee and by the end, he was going into how the supply chains that went into making a single cup of coffee affected the environment. Four years later and now I'm finishing college but still remember that first day more than the first days I had for this semester's classes.

[TeachSmartWithFay]

I almost cried at him saving the letter and making sure they get them on the day they graduate. Wow, that's beautiful.

[keepsusstargazing]

Well, this video made me cry. I graduated high school back in June, and my favorite teachers were exactly like this. I wish I'd had more of them. Your students are lucky to have you, and I hope they know that.

[tlcangel]

You are exactly why I want to teach. Watching your videos reminds me that I can be my quirky self and still teach effectively. Thank you for this.

[sharonsiepel]

Ryan, I am entering my third year of teaching, and this video still inspires me. I discovered this video days before I started teaching, and it provided me with a sense of purpose and comfort. Now I return to it every year to remind me why I do what I do and that it is okay to be different from other teachers. Thanks for all your great videos.

[pfieffs]

You saying that you allowed kids to eat in your room when they were alone at lunch reminded me of my favorite high school teacher ever. The world needs more teachers like you with that philosophy.

[thefutureA]

What hasn’t worked:
Going over the syllabus first day for me and just focusing on content. While I do understand setting up rules and procedures can be important, I am going to try to focus on building the relationships with my students more this year. That doesn’t mean I am going to let them act a fool in class but that does mean that I care about them more then just student A in class period 2 that sits next to the window

[sjaykay]

As a college professor, I do this same type of thing. I always assume that every other class they’ve had up until my class or will have on the first day the prof will go over the syllabus. Trust, I have plenty of do’s and don’ts as well as procedures, but on the first day I always want to outline a few things in regards to class environment/culture and content: first of all, to your point in this video, I always want students to know what they’re getting in me - the real. How enthusiastic I am about what I do, what type of professor I am in terms of how I rely material and how I function in general (even some things I don’t do well i.e.: slow on email). Secondly, what I expect from them in terms of creating an open and engaging classroom environment. Lastly, type of content/things we’ll learn or be open to over the course of the semester. Then I always end with either passing out hard copies of the syllabus, or more these days referring them to where they can find the syllabus online. Have them to look at it by the next class and that way they now have a glimpse of the type of professor they’re getting and the course expectations as laid out in the syllabus. In my case as a professor where students can add/drop, and do add/drop based often on how hard they think you will be or how they think they will or won’t relate to you as a professor, I want them to come in the first day and feel a connection with me (or not) then decide. Maybe they’ll think, yes the material will be tough but I’ll have this person helping me to navigate it so I’ll take that path. Establishing a personal connection and that you care what they learn and how is important at every level. Great video.

[GandalfsHorse]

I’m 36 years old, changing careers to teach social studies. My student teaching begins in January. Thanks for this resource you have provided. You help me to stay excited as I finish up my licensing!

[AdeleRaemer]

Hey CJ! Going into my 38th year in the classroom, and you have inspired me to do it differently! And I am super hyped about your ideas!!! (Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? ;-) )