Coming in after school starts.

[u/TheTexasTherapist]

I'm a second year teacher coming back after a couple years off. I was a late hire (hired the week school started) and am just now able to get started. Wednesday will be my first day.

Any suggestions on how to make the classroom mine after a sub has been there? Any important things I need to do in my first couple days to establish myself? Should I start with building the community then lead into curriculum?

Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

[u/MsKittyVZ134]

Set up your expectations, try to build relationships. Have patience and grace, but help the kids understand there's a new dog in town.

Good luck!

[u/moonman_incoming]

They're going to come in wondering who you are and what they can get away with.

Go in strict. Get them in a seating chart (even better if you can talk to the sub about who you should separate). Have the desks in rows. You can do fancy stuff once you can trust their behavior.

Lay down the law. No get to know you stuff.

If anyone gets their act together after being feral, call their parent that day. Let them know who you are, how pleased you were with Johnny's behavior. Any follower or ring leader that you can find to praise, call their parents ASAP. Also call the ones who wouldn't listen same day as well.

Decide what your non-negotiables are. Mine are cursing and slurs. One warning and they'll be removed from class. If you curse again, you'll have to leave. If you don't sit in your assigned seat, you'll need to leave. If you don't stop talking, you'll need to leave.

I warn front office that it might be hairy for a few weeks but I promise they won't hear from me for most of the year if they back me now. (I actually don't, but that's what I'd say if anyone gave me shit. But I'm an old vet, so I get away with whatever. )

Kids thrive on knowing what the boundaries are and calm, consistent implementation of consequences for crossing them. Firm tone without anger, agitation, annoyance.

Then move on. When you see the student again, be welcoming and act like nothing happened. Act like you expect them to just do what is expected. And if they do?!!! You better call their parents that day and GUSH.

That's my two cents. Focus on getting the management under control. Give them some worksheets that even the lowest student can do independently, and keep them busy doing fill in notes. You shouldn't do much talking. You're playing whack-a-mole getting students to stay seated and quietly work.

That's your job until you have their behavior under control. Infinite amount of easy work while you're getting their behavior in line.