Tales from Early Teaching with the Educator Advisory Council
written with the Educator Advisory Council
As any educator knows, the first steps into a classroom environment can present a whole host of challenges that schooling simply can’t prepare you for, only experience can. We asked our Educator Advisory Council, a collective of educators across Alberta and beyond, to reflect on their early days of teaching, to share a challenge they experienced and what they took away from it to apply to their field. We encourage you to check out their reflections and how they could apply to your work and life!
Kathryn
Early in my teaching career, I was leading a French Immersion PE class when my principal arrived to observe me. I had been assigned a double Grade 1 group and was teaching solo. The lesson focused on skipping and jumping, and we were playing a helicopter game while calling out colours in French. To make things even more challenging, both classes had substitute teachers that day, so the energy level was already sky high.
Almost immediately, things started to unravel. I found myself switching into English far more than I wanted to in order to reinforce rules and redirect behaviour. I kept pulling the classes back together to review expectations and talk through safety concerns. Inside, I was spiralling. I was convinced my teaching days were over. I left that class feeling completely defeated and mortified, certain that the observation had been a disaster.
Later, my principal told me something I will never forget. He had not seen a failure at all. He saw a teacher who prioritized student safety, adjusted in the moment, and maintained control in a difficult situation. To him, that was not a flawed lesson. It was proof that I knew exactly what I was doing.
That experience reshaped how I view challenging moments in the classroom. Things will go sideways. Lessons will fall apart. Students will surprise you. What matters most is how you respond in those moments. Staying calm, making thoughtful decisions, and keeping students safe are far more important than sticking rigidly to a plan.
I carry that lesson with me to this day. Reflection is key, and growth often comes from the very moments that feel the most uncomfortable in the moment.
Cass
In my first year of teaching, I learned very quickly to prioritize my own personal health routine as best as I can. I was always so busy I neglected working out, going for walks, and spending time outside. Once I got back into moving, I had more energy and focus! Made such a big difference!
Brae
I had a similar experience to Cass. I had a terrible work-life balance when I was student teaching. I quickly learned that when I found my first job, I needed to find a better balance. I now make sure to leave school at a reasonable time to make sure I work on my mental health and still have time for my own hobbies.
Kalli
Another well-being one- During my very first year of teaching, I went to work not feeling 100%. During the staff photo, I fainted (it’s a GREAT photo where I look like a ghost). I got sent home (obviously) and needed a full 5 days to recuperate from some sort of flu. Did I learn my lesson right away? Definitely not. Just as the years go on, I am getting better at prioritizing my health and wellbeing. It’s a hard lesson to learn- you are replaceable at work but not replaceable in your life. Make the sub plan and take the day.
Brady
In my first year of teaching elementary PE, I had absolutely no idea how to assess the kids. Always teaching two classes at a time made it feel impossible to stop and assess. I tried multiple strategies such as pulling kids aside to check their skills, videotaping them to watch and assess later, etc. Each new strategy seemed to fail or have its downsides. Eventually, my planning and classroom management improved in a way that allowed me to set up games that I could assess in the moment while they were playing. The moral of the story is simply to reflect on your lessons and instruction. It is important not to view failure as a negative, but instead as a learning opportunity to continue to improve your practice.
Whether it’s taking care of your own well-being or reframing your approach to lesson planning, we can always look at elements in our professional lives from a different perspective and grow from it. Education isn’t always as linear as it may seem, so our path toward self-improvement can’t be linear either. Make the mistakes, learn from your peers and always try to be the best version of yourself when you step into an educational setting; those around you will notice it as well.
If you have any learning experiences from your earlier days in education, we encourage you to share in the comments below. Someone out there might relate and learn from you!
