Summary for Educators: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before My First Day Teaching

Erik Ofgang’s article, 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before My First Day Teaching, offers a candid reflection on the realities of entering the classroom as a new educator. Written with equal measures of humor and hard-earned wisdom, the piece highlights practical lessons that can help early-career teachers navigate the turbulence of their first year and beyond.

1. Teaching Gets Easier Over Time

Ofgang acknowledges the dread that many teachers feel in the early weeks of a school year, when grading piles up and responsibilities seem overwhelming. Quoting Joan Didion’s “the center will not hold,” he recalls his own moments of feeling overextended. However, he reassures new teachers that teaching becomes more manageable with time. Each semester follows natural ebbs and flows, and the more times an educator teaches the same course, the easier it becomes to manage. Recognizing this pattern can help novice teachers stay calm during the most chaotic stretches.

2. Real Classrooms Are Not Like Hollywood

Popular films often depict teaching as a series of inspiring breakthroughs punctuated by slow claps and moments of awe. Ofgang reminds educators that real classrooms are rarely like this. Students are not always amazed by Shakespeare, nor do lessons regularly end in applause. In fact, new teachers should expect resistance, indifference, and sometimes hostility. The takeaway is not discouragement but realism: teaching is about persistence and creative attempts to connect with students, even when immediate results are not visible. Success often comes gradually and in unexpected ways.

3. Professional Comparisons Can Mislead

Ofgang draws a parallel between teacher discussions and social media, where only the best moments are shared. At conferences and professional gatherings, educators tend to highlight success stories rather than daily struggles. This can lead new teachers to feel inadequate by comparison. Ofgang stresses that failure—and learning from it—is an inevitable part of teaching. By acknowledging that all teachers wrestle with challenges behind the scenes, new educators can avoid discouraging self-comparisons and instead focus on their own growth.

4. Manage Email Effectively

Practical advice also plays a role in Ofgang’s list. For educators expected to handle emails, he suggests developing a consistent routine. His own practice is to respond quickly, even if only to acknowledge receipt and promise a follow-up. At the same time, he sets boundaries by cutting off responses after 6 or 7 p.m. This balance ensures efficiency while also protecting work-life boundaries. Ofgang’s advice highlights the importance of clear systems to handle the “invisible labor” of teaching.

5. Teachers Do Make a Lasting Impact

Perhaps the most encouraging reminder is that teachers truly shape students’ lives. Ofgang admits he once struggled to accept that he could be influential, but years of student feedback have confirmed his impact. Former students have credited him with teaching techniques and offering advice that guided their future paths. While he remains realistic—acknowledging that not all students remember him positively—these reminders affirm the purpose of the profession. For new teachers, this lesson is vital: impact may not be immediately visible, but it is nonetheless real and lasting.

Takeaways for New Teachers

Ofgang’s reflections offer reassurance and perspective. Teaching is messy and challenging, especially in the beginning, but it is also meaningful. By managing expectations, adopting practical systems, and focusing on long-term impact, new educators can weather the inevitable challenges of their first year. The article emphasizes that teaching is less about cinematic breakthroughs and more about daily persistence, gradual progress, and the relationships built along the way.

For school leaders mentoring new teachers, these five insights can serve as conversation starters in induction programs. Normalizing struggle, modeling effective routines, and reminding early-career teachers of their long-term influence are powerful ways to sustain morale.

Original Article

Citation: Ofgang, E. (2025, August 22). 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before My First Day Teaching. Tech & Learning. Retrieved from: https://www.techlearning.com/news/5-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-b...

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com