Gear Up for Growth: Guidance, Tools, and Support! | | |
You’re almost a full month into the school year—congratulations on all you’ve accomplished so far! As you continue to dive into this first quarter, remember that this journey is filled with growth, learning, and countless opportunities to make an impact.
This issue, we’ve packed resources, support, and strategies to help you navigate the classroom with confidence and joy. From practical tools to inspiration and connection, we’re here to make sure you feel empowered every step of the way.
Keep going—you’ve got this!
With gratitude,
Chelsea Davis
Director of Educator Engagement
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What’s Inside This Month
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Professional Development: Actionable strategies to grow your teaching practice.
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Program Updates: Stay informed about all the latest opportunities and resources.
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Facebook Group Giveaways: Fun ways to win resources and connect with fellow teachers.
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Real Talk Tips: Honest, practical advice from experienced educators.
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Toolbox Downloads: Ready-to-use classroom resources to make your life easier.
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Skill Builder: Short exercises to sharpen your teaching skills.
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Self-Care Tips: Simple strategies to keep you energized and thriving.
| | Join Our Facebook Groups! | |
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You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Our Beginning Teacher Support Group on Facebook is a space just for you—to connect, learn, and grow with fellow new educators who get it.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- Fun giveaways just for group members
- Classroom hacks and time-saving tips
- Encouragement from fellow beginning teachers
- A safe space to ask questions—big or small
- Resource spotlights and updates from Classroom Central
- Real talk from people who’ve been where you are
First Beginning Teacher Giveaway!
We’re kicking off our first exclusive giveaway just for our Facebook group members! This is our way of celebrating YOU—the amazing beginning teachers making a difference in your classrooms.
Our first giveaway prize is a desk organizer set—perfect for helping you stay organized, efficient, and ready to tackle your classroom day.
Join the group to enter and you could win this practical and fun prize to start your year strong!
Let’s build your BT teacher fam, one post at a time.
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Teacher Fam Facebook Group
Are you in our teacher Facebook group for all teachers in our network? This is your go-to spot for extra tips, collaboration with fellow educators, and chances at exclusive supplies and giveaways.
This month’s giveaway is a Gourmet Sweet Treat Box, and time is almost up to enter! Make sure you join the group today so you don’t miss your chance to win and connect with your teacher community.
| | | | September Focus: Stay Consistent | | |
Time Management & Routines That Work PD
This month, we’re continuing our Q1 PD push to ensure you are polishing and perfecting your routines and time management. Building on the strategies we shared last month, this focus is key to helping your students know what to expect when they enter your classroom and to creating the foundation for effective learning.
Our focus this month is all about strengthening routines that save time, reduce stress, and create a smooth-running classroom — all at your own pace.
💡 Tip of the Month: Start small—focus on 2–3 key routines and model them consistently. Predictability helps students thrive and gives you more time to focus on teaching!
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Self-Paced PD: Time Management & Routines That Work
You’ll work through a practical playbook designed specifically for beginning teachers.
This self-paced PD lets you:
- Identify where your time is slipping away
- Learn essential routines to teach from Day 1
- Plan your day with intention, not chaos
- Set one manageable routine goal to focus on
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Reminder: Explore EdExchange!
Don’t forget to check out EdExchange, our growing library of resources designed to support you in the classroom. New tools, templates, and guides are added every month, so there’s always something fresh to help you plan lessons, manage your classroom, and save time.
Have a specific resource in mind? If you’re looking for something on lesson planning or classroom management, just email Chelsea at chelsea@classroomcentral.org—she’d love to help!
Pro Tip: For the best experience, access EdExchange on a computer — but you can also browse on your mobile device.
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This is your one-stop hub to:
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Access self-paced professional development packed with classroom-ready strategies.
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Explore academic resources designed to support your teaching and help every student thrive.
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Connect with educators from all six districts we serve in North & South Carolina in our Peer Collaboration Lounge.
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Celebrate, network, and access teacher-created tools throughout the year.
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Did you know you have three ways to shop for FREE classroom supplies through Classroom Central?
Whether you're prepping for your first day or restocking mid-year, we’ve got you covered.
Ways to Shop:
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Free Store (In-Person): Grab what you need right off the shelves.
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Curbside Pick-up: Quick curbside pickups, pre-packed with essentials.
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Mobile Free Store: Supplies brought directly to your district on scheduled dates.
- This program supports our furthest districts—ensuring teachers in Gaston, Union, Lancaster, Iredell-Statesville, and Kannapolis City have equitable access to free classroom supplies.
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Have You Booked Your Appointment Yet?
Make sure you’re signed up to get what your students need—for free!
Don’t wait—slots fill up fast! Let us help you spend less and teach more.
September is fully booked! Shopping appointments for October will open soon!
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Can’t find an available spot?
No worries—you can volunteer in the Free Store and earn a shopping appointment valid for one month!
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TeachPrep:
We’ve Got Your Back!
Need help knocking out your prep list? TeachPrep is here to support you with free 8½x11 laminations, black-and-white copies, and die cuts—so you can focus more on your students and less on the scissors.
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Lending Library: Hands-On Learning, Delivered
Bring lessons to life! Check out STEM and Literacy Kits for 30 days and add engaging, hands-on experiences to your classroom—totally free.
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Thank You for Making It This Far!
We know your time is precious, and we’re so grateful you’ve explored all these amazing resources. As a special thank you, click the link below to be entered into a bonus shop giveaway!
Keep reading for even more tips, strategies, and resources to support your teaching journey — we’re glad you’re here!
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Enter the Giveaway! Winner will be announced in Octobers Newsletter. | | | | Real Talk: Self-Care Tips | | We asked teachers: “What’s one thing you do to take care of yourself when things get overwhelming during the school year?” Now, you can get inspired by their ideas and discover new ways to fill your cup each day, after pouring so much of yourself into your students and school community. | | When things feel overwhelming, I like to go to the park for a walk. Breathing the fresh air and noticing the little details in nature helps me relax and think more clearly about what I need to do. I can stop for a moment and just enjoy the view. It also helps me feel more creative, so I can come up with fresh lesson plans, new ideas and fun activities for my kids. | | Whenever you feel overwhelmed and need a break it’s okay to take a break. When I get overwhelmed I have an ugly cry session and then I reset by prayer and journaling. | | |
When things get overwhelming, I focus on the positive side of the situation. I try to relax and take it easy so it doesn’t feel like a burden to learn new things. I manage my time wisely by prioritizing what needs to be done first. I also give myself short breaks, stay organized, and remind myself that challenges are opportunities to grow. As an international teacher, I know the experiences I gain here will help me a lot, not only in managing stress but also in becoming stronger and more effective in my teaching journey.
| | I enjoy taking a bubble bath and listening to a podcast when I’m overwhelmed. It helps take my mind off of everything that’s going on. | | I get my hair done, yoga, run, nature | | Rest, breathe, and cook. I like to shop around time with family and friends and now water aerobics. | | When things get overwhelming during the school year, I like to plan a night out with my coworkers who have become family who too are probably overwhelmed by the school year. A night out can look like having dinner or simply just all hanging together at someone’s place and challenging each other to talk and have a great time without bringing up school. | | “Come early or stay late to get things done, but don’t do both!” | | One thing I do to take care of my self is unplug and grab a coffee and a great book. I think unplugging helps to reset and find balance | |
Want more real tips?
We asked teachers to share their self care tips — and they delivered! Click to view every response.
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| Toolbox: Downloadable Resources from EdExchange | | |
Mastering Lesson Plans
Break down the planning process with simple strategies and templates that help you create clear, effective lessons. Designed for beginning teachers, this resource takes the guesswork out of what to teach and how to teach it.
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Classroom Management Playbook
Build a calm, consistent classroom with proven strategies that work. This playbook offers practical tools, routines, and behavior systems to help you create a positive learning environment from day one.
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Back-to-School Planning Tools
Kickstart your year with ready-to-use templates to map out classroom routines, set expectations, and organize your first weeks with confidence. These tools are designed to save you time and set a strong foundation from day one.
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Beginning Teacher Shopping Guide
Created especially for CMS beginning teachers, this guide aligns with key teaching competencies and highlights must-have supplies to support classroom success. Whether you're in your first year or just looking for a reset, it's a helpful resource for any new teacher building their toolkit.
| | | Transform your teaching with our free guide to unpacking your curriculum and teaching with clarity and purpose. | | Get your free download now to learn how to anticipate and respond to common student errors and misconceptions. | | Start planning lessons that are clear, consistent, and student-focused with our lesson plan template modeled after TLAC. | | This free resource helps you use active observation to gather data, give targeted feedback, and improve instruction during independent work. | | This free resource helps you double plan and use knowledge organizers to clarify student actions, boost engagement, and support purposeful learning. | | Download your free calendar template and take control of your week—plan lessons, track tasks, and stay organized to focus on what matters most in your classroom. | |
1 Skill, 3 Ways to Try It
This Month’s Focus: Cold Call - (Teach Like a Champion)
Keep every student actively engaged by calling on them strategically, even if they haven’t volunteered.
What it is:
Cold calling is a TLAC technique where teachers call on students randomly or intentionally to answer questions, share ideas, or participate in discussion. It ensures every student is thinking, staying on task, and actively engaged.
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Random Name Grab
Definition: Students’ names are selected at random to answer questions, ensuring everyone has a chance to participate.
Example: Write each student’s name on a popsicle stick. Pull 2–3 sticks throughout the lesson to answer key questions.
💡 Why it works: Students stay focused and prepared because they know they might be called on at any time.
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Think-Pair-Share + Cold Call
Definition: Students first think individually, then discuss with a partner, and finally share their partner’s idea when called on.
Example: Pose a question: “What is the main theme of today’s reading?” Students discuss in pairs for 1–2 minutes. Then, cold call a student to share their partner’s answer.
💡 Why it works: Provides thinking time and peer rehearsal while holding every student accountable for participation.
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Check for Understanding
Definition: Teachers call on students to explain or apply a concept to ensure comprehension and guide next steps.
Example: After teaching a math strategy, ask: “Explain in your own words how you solved this problem.” Cold call 2–3 students to respond.
💡 Why it works: Confirms understanding and allows teachers to adjust instruction if misconceptions arise.
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Quick Practice Challenge – Cold Call
Choose one Cold Call approach (Random Name Grab, Think-Pair-Share + Cold Call, or Check for Understanding) and try it in your classroom next week.
✅ Reflect and Plan: Did students stay engaged and respond thoughtfully? Which approach worked best for your students?
✅ Next Step: Ask your mentor, coach, or a colleague to observe your lesson and provide feedback on how clearly you implemented the Cold Call strategy and held students accountable.
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Because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Let’s be honest — the first years of teaching are full of highs and lows. Between lesson planning, navigating school routines, and supporting your students, it’s easy to forget the most important part of the equation: taking care of yourself matters, too.
This section is your monthly wellness check-in — short, simple, and created to help you stay grounded while growing.
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Quick Self-Check: How Are You Really Doing?
Take a minute to reflect. Answer honestly — no one sees this but you:
- 😴 Am I getting enough sleep most nights?
- 🧠 Have I taken even 10 minutes for myself this week?
- 💬 Am I talking to anyone about how I’m really feeling?
- 🔁 Am I stuck in “survival mode” or creating a routine that works for me?
If most of your answers are “not really” — that’s okay. Start small. Check out our wellnes tip for this month below.
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Wellness Tip: Quick & Healthy Eating for Busy Teachers
Staying fueled with nutritious meals helps you stay focused and energized throughout your teaching day. Even with a packed schedule, you can make healthy choices with a few simple strategies — and support your overall wellness, making it easier to sustain other healthy habits too.
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How to Make It Happen This Week:
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Prep Ahead: Chop fruits, veggies, or protein for the week on Sunday or the night before. Store in grab-and-go containers.
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Smart Snacks: Keep healthy snacks at your desk — nuts, yogurt, granola bars, or fruit — to avoid vending machine temptations.
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Hydrate First: Start your day with water and keep a bottle with you. Sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger.
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Batch Breakfasts: Overnight oats, smoothie packs, or boiled eggs can save time and provide a healthy start.
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Quick Lunch Options: Prepare easy, balanced lunches like salad jars, wrap sandwiches, grain bowls, or veggie + protein bento boxes. These can be made in advance and grab-and-go.
Why it Works: Eating well in small, manageable steps helps maintain energy, improves focus, reduces stress, and supports overall wellness — making it easier to make other healthy choices throughout your day.
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Your safe space for real questions, honest answers, and a little bit of love and laughter.
We know the first year of teaching brings a lot of questions — some you're afraid to ask out loud, and some you didn’t even know you needed to ask.
That’s where Ask Chelsea comes in. Whether you’re wondering how to handle parent emails, set boundaries, survive dismissal duty, or just make it through the week — I’ve got you.
Each month, I’ll answer one real question from a beginning teacher. And yes — you can ask anonymously.
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Got a Question?
Drop it here — big or small, silly or serious. I’ll pick one to answer in the next issue.
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