Welcome to the First Beginning Teacher Newsletter | | |
From One Educator to Another
In 2014, I walked into Grier Middle School in Gaston County as a brand-new teacher, after one year of being a media assistant in CMS. I had just completed three days of training, a whirlwind week of professional development, and then—there I was: standing in my very first classroom.
It was completely empty.
Limited supplies.
No decor.
No plans.
No real idea what I was doing.
I wasn’t an education major. I had gone to college to be a graphic designer and entered the classroom through an alternative licensure program. And to make things even more interesting… I was now the new art teacher — for hundreds of middle school students — and there I was, expected to teach drawing—despite barely feeling confident in my own skills.
It was terrifying.
It was overwhelming.
It was real.
But then something incredible happened. A neighboring art teacher from another school reached out. She gave me worksheets, lesson ideas, and classroom routines. That lifeline carried me through the first month — and probably saved my career.
Twelve years later, I’ve taught nearly every grade level, mentored new teachers, stepped into school leadership, and now I have the privilege of supporting teachers like you through Classroom Central.
This newsletter is your monthly lifeline — filled with resources, tips, and encouragement to help you thrive, not just survive. Whether it’s your first day or your 50th, remember this:
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. You have a community. You have support. You’ve got this.
And I’m here with you every step of the way.
With gratitude,
Chelsea Davis
Director of Educator Engagement
| | August Focus: Classroom Routines That Work | | |
Time Management & Routines That Work PD
Starting your first year of teaching can feel overwhelming — with lesson planning, managing the classroom, and finding time for everything in between.
This month’s focus is all about building strong routines that save time, reduce stress, and create a smooth-running classroom — all at your own pace.
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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
| | It’s Here! Welcome to EdExchange – Your Teacher Hub! | | |
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We are thrilled to announce the official launch of EdExchange, Classroom Central’s brand-new professional development and resource portal — built just for YOU!
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.
| | | Join Our Beginning Teacher Facebook Group! | |
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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
Let’s build your BT teacher fam, one post at a time.
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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.
August is fully booked! Shopping appointments for September 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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Real Talk:
Classroom Setup Tips from Teachers | | Setting up your classroom can feel like a huge, overwhelming puzzle — especially when you’re juggling lesson plans, classroom routines, and everything else a first-year teacher faces. But you’re not alone! Here are some honest, practical tips from teachers who have been in your shoes and figured it out. | | I try to keep my classroom organized. My favorite thing to organize is my classroom library. Students have to check out their books by scanning them and I can see who has what book!! | | Labeling everything & teaching students how to treat a space curated just for them. | | The desks are set up in groups of 4 with each desk in the group having either a red, white, black or gray star on the desk. This way the "lead" of the group will change throughout the class time depending on the color of the star. | | If I am in a new space, I go through all of my cabinets and make sure I know what's in there and put like with like. The amount of resources we have that can be hidden in clutter is crazy, and you would be surprised at what can be left behind in classrooms. If something is no good or clutter, I throw it away! I have bins that are labeled with basic needs (scissors, glue, colored pencils, pens, markers, etc.) and anytime I find any material laying around, it goes in it's bin. This helps me make sure I know where things are quickly when I need them and I can easily tell when a supply is getting low throughout the school year. It also makes it easier for students to take ownership of their supplies and know where to put things when it's time to clean up. | | For younger kids (k-1) who don't have organizational skills yet, use tables instead of desks and color code everything (math folder/notebook is one color, phonics folder/notebook a different color, etc) | | Last year I dedicated an entire corner of my room to student supplies. In that corner there was a book shelf. Each shelf had a different set of materials, ranging from pencils, pencil sharpeners, color pencils, notebook paper, notebooks, etc. The rule in my class was, you never have to ask for anything. Whatever you need, is there for you when you need it. Adjacent to that was my calming station. There I had a plush rug, bean bag chairs, and led lights. This area was specifically for students who may need a moment to collect their thoughts/clam down, or regroup. Both stations proved to be very effective and efficient even for high school students. | | My favorite set up tip is to remember this is going to be our home away from home. Each area serves a purpose. Also can be more than one. I try to keep teacher stuff in one area and students have the majority of the room. Hope this helps! | | Make sure the classroom is not too much of a distraction from learning but has the scholars in mind. Help to make them feel seen and relate to you as well as getting them to be able to know you a little from the classroom. | | I make sure that certain anchor charts are strategic places on the wall so that they are visible despite any room configuration I may utilize. Once that we are going to reference multiple times in the year may be up twice in the room depending on spacing. | |
Want more real tips?
We asked teachers to share their best setup advice — and they delivered! Click to view every response.
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| Toolbox: Downloadable Resources | | |
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.
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1 Skill, 3 Ways to Try It
This Month’s Focus: Giving Clear Directions
One small shift. Big classroom impact.
Giving directions may seem simple—but in a busy classroom, clarity makes all the difference. This month’s skill helps you increase student focus, reduce off-task behavior, and save time by mastering how you deliver directions.
Skill: Give Clear, Concise, and Actionable Directions
Inspire by Teach Like a Champion’s “What to Do” technique and Get Better Faster’s “Strong Voice” strategy.
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1. Use "What to Do" Language
Instead of saying what not to do (“Stop talking!”), say what to do:
Example: “Track me in 3...2...1. Pencils down, eyes on the board.”
💡 Why it works: It’s specific, actionable, and sets clear expectations for behavior.
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2. Break It Into Steps
Give multi-step directions one at a time—or list them visually.
Example:
- Take out your math notebook
- Turn to page 6
- Solve #1–3 on your own
💡 Pro tip: Use a hand signal to show how many steps are coming (3 fingers = 3 tasks).
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3. Check for Understanding
Ask a student to repeat the direction before you start.
Example: “Jalen, what’s the first thing you’ll do when you get to your desk?”
💡 Why it matters: Ensures students heard you and allows others to catch up.
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Quick Practice Challenge
Choose one of the strategies above and try it.
✅ Reflect and Plan: Did students follow directions more smoothly?
✅ Ask your mentor or coach to watch for clarity in your next transition.
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Because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Let’s be real — the first year of teaching can feel like a rollercoaster. Between grading papers, learning school systems, and managing student needs, it’s easy to forget one very important thing: you matter, 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. Pick one thing to try below.
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This Month’s 10-Minute Recharge
You deserve 10 minutes just for you. Here are simple ways to reset during a busy week:
- Step outside and feel the sun for a full minute
- Make a “no school talk” playlist and dance it out
- Try a 5-minute guided breathing break
- Write down 3 things that actually went well today
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Teacher Therapy Meme of the Month
Because sometimes, laughter is the best medicine:
“Me on the first day of school vs. me by Wednesday.”
“Day 1: I’m gonna be the Mary Poppins of this school.
Day 3: I'm Googling if coffee counts as a food group.”
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Share Your Recharge Ritual!
What helps you reset after a tough day?
Click the button below or share in the Facebook group — your tip could be featured next month!
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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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