What I Wish I Knew at the End of My First Year of Teaching

Reflections from a Mentor Who’s Been There

Dear New Teacher,

There’s something about the end of your first year of teaching that stays with you—part relief, part exhaustion, part wondering if you’re really cut out for this. I remember it vividly: the empty classroom, the last bell, the stack of ungraded assignments I finally decided could stay ungraded.

Looking back now, here’s what I really wish I had known—because it would have made all the difference.

1. You’re Not Supposed to Do This Alone

In that first year, I thought struggling in silence was normal. I believed that asking for help would make me look unprepared or unqualified. I wish someone had told me: There are resources out there, and you deserve to access them.

From online communities to experienced mentors, curriculum tools to classroom management strategies—you’re not expected to build everything from scratch. Teaching is a team sport. Let yourself be coached.

2. Mentorship Can Make or Break Your First Year

One of the biggest lessons I learned—too late—was that not all mentorship is the same. Some schools have structured, supportive programs. Others pair you with a teacher down the hall and call it a day.

I wish I had known to ask:

• What does your new teacher mentorship program look like?
  
• How often will I meet with a mentor?
  
• Is there built-in time to observe, reflect, and grow?
  

If I’d asked those questions, I might have better understood what to expect and how I could have found my own support to fuel my growth as an educator. 

3. You Are Growing—Even When It Feels Like You’re Failing

So much of that first year (and let's be real, the first few years!) felt like trial and error. What I see now though is how much growth was happening below the surface. Every hard day built my toolbox. Every mistake gave me more clarity. Every success—even the tiny ones—was a seed.

If you're feeling unsure, know this: you're becoming a teacher. And the first year is just the beginning.

4. You Deserve the Right Kind of Support

If you take nothing else away from this post, let it be this: the support you have matters. And you don’t have to wait for your school to provide it. If you're not getting what you need, seek it out.

That’s why I created the Helping New Teachers Mentorship Program—a space I wish I’d had in my first year.

Whether you're just starting out or finishing your first year, you're not alone. You deserve mentorship that’s consistent, personal, and encouraging every step of the way.

💬 If you’re looking for the support I wish I had—our year-long mentorship program is here for you. [Learn more and book a call here.]