What advice do you have for new teachers?

Tell us what you wish you knew before you started teaching. 

Students raise their hands to answer a question.
Whether you are a recent or veteran teacher, Chalkbeat wants to know your advice for new educators. What’s one thing you wish you knew when you first started teaching? What gives you hope right now?  (Elaine Cromie / Chalkbeat)

As students settle into a new school year across the nation, Chalkbeat wants to hear from educators: What do you wish you knew before you started teaching?

The back-to-school season can be an exciting but daunting time, even for veteran teachers. The last few years of pandemic learning have carried immense stress for school communities. More educators have left the profession than normal, according to the best available data, cementing predictions that the pandemic led to more teacher turnover. 

Teachers who have remained are still feeling the lingering effects of pandemic pains: Chronic absenteeism, dipping student test scores, and dwindling federal aid money for recovery programs. But the turn of the calendar year springs new hope for a better season.

Whether you are a recent or veteran teacher, Chalkbeat wants to know your advice for new educators. What’s one thing you wish you knew when you first started teaching? What gives you hope right now? 

Tell us in the form below, or click here to access the form directly. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Caroline Bauman is the deputy managing editor for engagement at Chalkbeat.

The Latest

A major overhaul of NYC’s after-school contracts left some programs understaffed and some parents in a bind. Now, two schools are already turning back to their former providers.

The Chicago neighborhoods that Juan Ignacio Gonzalez could represent include the Loop and Brighton Park.

The tax credit launches in 2027 and could become one of the largest sources of federal funding for schools.

The Chicago Board of Education president represents the board publicly, runs board meetings, and helps set the agenda. The person elected will lead the board for the next four years.

Three seats on the nine-member board are up for election on Nov. 3.

Philadelphia families covet the city’s magnet schools. But many students still don’t know if they have a chance to get in due to the state test score delay.