This new teacher completely changed her life
A few weeks ago, I had lunch with one of the first teachers I ever coached.
“I don’t know what to do with my free time, Helena. Teaching used to be so hard, but this year… I feel like I finally get it.”
When I met her she was her second year, she was exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in survival mode. She saw me leaving at contract time one day and asked, “How?”
She joined one of my programs, and together, we automated her classroom—from behavior management to planning ahead. By the next year, she and her team were always a month ahead, she became a team lead, hosted student teachers, and—best of all—had her evenings to herself.
Now? She takes guilt-free vacations, has an amazing relationship, and just started a crafting side hustle.
She made a choice. She stopped believing teaching had to be exhausting and built a classroom that worked for her—not the other way around.
That’s exactly what we do inside The Present Teacher Circle.
TPTC where I show first year and new teachers HOW I got there. And it’s open for enrollment this week only until 2026.
If you are ready to decide this isn’t the end of your story, and you are ready to give it another go, we would love to have you. 💕
Comment “Together” and I will dm you a link to enroll.
Seeing a new teacher transform from overwhelmed to overjoyed is truly one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. I remember one of the first teachers I coached – she was in her second year, utterly exhausted, and felt like she was constantly swimming upstream. What she said next surprised me: 'I don't know what to do with my free time now!' It was a testament to the power of structured guidance and a shift in mindset. If you're a new teacher or even a seasoned one feeling the weight of the profession, I want to share some insights that truly make a difference. Mentoring isn't just about telling someone what to do; it's about guiding them to discover what works best for *them*. Here are a few 'mentoring in action' tips I’ve found invaluable for new teachers: Automate What You Can: This was a game-changer for my mentee. Think about repetitive tasks: grading, communication with parents, lesson planning routines. Can you create templates? Use online tools? Set up a consistent system for classroom management that students understand and follow independently? This frees up precious mental and physical energy. For instance, I encouraged her to create a 'behavior management bingo' for younger students, which made discipline a fun, self-regulating activity, reducing her constant intervention. Plan Ahead, But Don't Over-Plan: It sounds contradictory, but being a month ahead in planning allows for flexibility. You're not scrambling nightly. Instead, you're reviewing, refining, and adapting. This was crucial for her to regain her evenings. We worked on creating a 'master lesson plan template' that she could easily adapt week to week, saving hours of detailed writing. Build Your Support System: Teaching can feel isolating. My mentee became a team lead and hosted student teachers, which not only boosted her confidence but also created a reciprocal learning environment. Seek out colleagues who inspire you, join professional learning communities, or find a mentor yourself. Sharing challenges and successes can lighten the load immensely. Prioritize Self-Care (Guilt-Free!): This is non-negotiable. My mentee started taking guilt-free vacations and rediscovered hobbies. Teaching demands so much, but if your cup is empty, you have nothing left to give. Schedule 'you time' just as diligently as you schedule lessons. Whether it’s 30 minutes of reading, a walk in nature, or pursuing a creative side hustle like she did, protect that time fiercely. Reflecting on her transformation, it was clear that until she prioritized herself, the 'getting it' feeling wouldn't fully settle in. Reflect and Adjust: Every lesson, every interaction, every day offers a chance to learn. After a challenging day, instead of dwelling on what went wrong, reflect: What worked? What didn't? What will I try differently tomorrow? This reflective practice, often done with a mentor, helps refine your approach and prevents burnout. We'd often chat about specific classroom scenarios, and I'd guide her to different ways of seeing the situation, rather than just solving it for her. Remember, teaching doesn't have to be an exhausting cycle. It's about building a sustainable, joyful career that works for *you*. It might feel overwhelming now, but with the right strategies and a supportive network, you can absolutely get there. Just like my mentee, you can find that sweet spot where you truly 'get it' and have time for life beyond the classroom.
