How to Survive Your First Year as a Drama Teacher in 10 Steps

The first year of teaching is the hardest: The job is new, the learning curve is steep, and the days are packed. New teachers can easily get overwhelmed, so here are 10 steps you can take to make it easier to survive your first year.

1. Plan Ahead

No matter how many tasks are put on your plate, your primary responsibilities are preparing for and teaching your classes, and that means lesson plans. As a new teacher you will be expected to prepare and execute lesson plans at a staggering rate, so make sure you plan ahead. Aim to have your lesson plans ready at least a day before you need them. Writing lesson plans on the fly is stressful and ineffective, so make lesson planning a priority.

2. Prepare

Preparation goes hand in hand with planning. If your lessons require materials such as scripts or improv scenarios, make sure you have those materials in hand. If you’re introducing a design unit, be sure to have whatever art materials are needed to complete the assignments. If you have to rearrange your classroom for rehearsals or performances, prepare a detailed transition plan that teaches your students what is expected of them. The more prepared you are for the day-to-day operation of your classroom, the easier your first year will be.

3. Ask Questions

As a new teacher, you will have a lot of questions: How do I get supplies? When will I have to fill out required paperwork? Why are these students being transferred into and out of my class, and who do I talk to about that? Don’t be embarrassed to ask a lot of questions in your first year (and beyond!), because no one expects you to know how full-time teaching works on day one. Ask your department chair and fellow teachers as many questions as necessary to learn how to successfully function in your school.

4. Ask for Help

Asking questions may not be enough. From submitting purchase orders to dealing with a student melting down in the hallway, you will be faced with dozens of tasks and situations you have never dealt with before. When unexpected situations arise and you’re not sure how to deal with them, ask for help. Making an uninformed decision could have unintended consequences for everyone involved, including you! So when in doubt, ask for help.

5. Do the Important Things

New teachers are expected to do a lot of things — everything from supporting the sports teams to attending an open house. However, not all tasks are created equally. If you are given a specific responsibility by your administration — such as daily supervision of the bus lot or being in your classroom 30 minutes before the first bell rings — that is considered a “duty,” and carries far more weight than a simple request. Know the professional expectations your administration has set for you, be diligent, and complete them without fail.

6. Don’t Overcommit

As a new teacher it’s easy to put too much on your plate. That’s understandable when you think about all the exciting projects you hope to accomplish, like entering a show into a local theatre festival, staging your first musical, or starting a drama club. However, there are only so many hours in a day, and if you’re not careful you can become hopelessly overcommitted, and that’s when you find yourself in the weeds with regards to your work-life balance. Be realistic and choose your projects carefully in your first year. That way you will have the time and bandwidth to do your best work.

7. Say No (When You Can)

As noted above, new teachers have a lot of responsibilities, but they also have a lot of projects and productions that are suggested to them in their first year. As a new teacher it is tempting to say yes to every great idea and opportunity that comes your way, but it’s not realistic. If you spread yourself too thin, you will be miserable and exhausted, and that will impact your work both in and out of the classroom. So give yourself permission to say no to extraneous projects during your first year of teaching. Or better yet, say “maybe later.”

8. Pace Yourself

If you have never taught full-time before, you may be surprised at the amount of energy it takes to be a professional theatre teacher. Theatre classes require you to be active and engaging, both mentally and physically, for an entire regular school day, and that can take a toll under the best of circumstances. However, not all school days are created equally. As a theatre teacher your “regular” school days can often include both teaching classes AND rehearsing productions. It’s not uncommon for “regular” school days to end up being 12 hours long, and that is why you need to pace yourself. Plan your schedule carefully to include breaks for meals and other basic self-care, and stick to it as best you can. Don’t burn yourself out.

9. Unplug

It’s easy for new teachers to find themselves grading papers or answering emails from students at 11 o’clock at night, but this is not necessary. If you manage your schedule carefully and don’t overcommit, your teaching work should not bleed into your personal time. More importantly, you shouldn’t share your personal contact information with your students — for both your safety and theirs. There is no reason for you to be available to your job and/or your students 24/7. Make a commitment to disconnect as part of your regular schedule, and let your students (and admin) know there are times when you are not going to be accessible. Give yourself permission to unplug and reset.

10. Practice Self-Care

As you can see, your first year of teaching is going to be exciting, challenging, and hectic, so give yourself the best chance of success by practicing regular mental and physical self-care. Eat healthy snacks, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep every night. Unplug your phone, unplug your brain, and take the time to rest and recharge. Self-care is the foundation of a long and successful teaching career, so take care of yourself as you start this journey. You won’t regret it!