Dr. Sam Fecich - professor of education, author, podcaster, and speaker - shares her contagious enthusiasm and practical tips for new teachers as they enter their first classrooms, as well as preservice educators who are preparing to teach someday.

• “You’ve taught before, you’ve worked with students before, but now it’s your classroom!”
• “Keeping families involved in their child’s education [...] is a great predictor of attendance and success in the classroom, no matter what grade or subject area that you teach.”
• “When you’re transitioning from student teaching into being a first-year teacher, start the job search process as early as possible. Look for schools that feed your teaching soul, that support your teaching philosophy.”
• “Your classroom does not need to be Pinterest perfect from day one.”
• Tips new teachers: Familiarize yourself with the curriculum, get to know your students and other staff, and look for additional resources
• “Make those small movements toward building relationships with students before or during day one, but it’s not something that ends after that first week; we get to keep knowing our students throughout that school year.”
• Tips for preservice teachers: Set up professional social media accounts, create and maintain a digital portfolio, connect with other educators online, and look for opportunities to present content at conferences or in written form
• Find out about Sam’s podcast and book on her website: https://www.sfecich.com/
• Edumagic: A Guide for Preservice Teachers and Edumagic Shine On: A Guide for New Teachers
• “You are strong, you are brave, you are courageous. You can do this!”

Connect with Sam on Instagram (@sfecich)!

What’s changing our lives:

• Keane: Homemade kimchi
• Heather: Nylon hair ties
• Sam: Chocolate buckeye pie

Weekly Spotlight: Virunga Valley Academy

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