First Week Imperatives for New Teachers (that have nothing to do with bulletin boards!)

Gayle Knutson

11 Aug 2025 — 2 min read

Truth Bite

There are plain, practical and classroom tested must do's while setting up your classroom that will help you start the year ahead of the game.

Visionary Check

Log Accommodations.

Ideally you will receive IEP/504's before students arrive for the year. If you do not now is a great time to ask for them! You need to read through these and note 1-2 concrete supports per student and plan where they will show up in your classroom. If you already have some accommodations in place before school starts how much more prepared you will feel and how much more comfortable the students that need them will feel.

Truth Bite

The sooner you establish communication with your parents the more cooperation you can expect from them throughout the year.

Visionary Check

Start Communicating with your Parents ahead of the school year.

Start this before students show up by contacting 4-5 families a day via text, or phone, if that is what you prefer. Only 4-5 a day. That way you have time to respond if needed. Start with the most vulnerable students you have. (now that you have reviewed the IEP/504's) This will allow the parents to see that you are already aware of needed accommodations and give them a chance to voice concerns or share anything specific they would like you to know about their student. This should also give parents a confidence in you as school starts and know their student is in good hands

Continue 4-5 a day into the first week of school if needed. Make sure you ask and take note of their preferred way to communicate throughout the year. And keep notes.

Word of Wisdom

Do get your bulletin boards done, and your work areas established. After all that is the fun stuff, and you have probably already done quite a bit of shopping for your classroom. However, the base work we have talked about is so important in terms of preparation. You will be so thankful you did this and start the year already so knowledgeable about your student's needs

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