My first day of teaching? A total disaster.
The good news? Yours doesn’t have to be. Learn about the power of silence and discover how I turned disaster into a breakthrough and learned to build a positive classroom culture.
Let me take you back to where it all began, ten years ago. A week before my debut as a teacher, I was a bundle of excitement and preparation. My science classroom looked like a Pinterest dream. Motivational posters adorned the walls, collaboration hubs were perfectly arranged, and I had the ideal spots for homework drop-offs and classwork pick-ups. My checklist? Done.
On the big day, I woke up early, dressed in my new outfit, grabbed my packed bag, and set off. In my mind, I imagined a magical first day: friendly introductions, engaging icebreakers, and an effortless connection with my students.
Spoiler alert: Reality had other plans.
When the students arrived, everything went sideways. They ran wild—jumping on tables and chairs, throwing around their bags, and mimicking animal sounds while yelling, “We ARE Tarzan!”
Tarzan? Really?
I froze. My face turned red. Sweat formed. Nothing could have prepared me for this, not even the strategies I learned from my degree. What now? Tell them to sit? They didn’t listen. Say it’s not nice? They didn’t care. My mind raced while the clock ticked.
Then suddenly, a student muttered, “Umm, I don’t think she cares.”
To my surprise, the room quieted. The students sat down, puzzled by my silence. It hit me—could silence be the answer?
I leaned into the moment, staying calm and quiet although my heart was racing, and my hands were shaking. I walked to my desk, sat down, and stared at them one by one. Without a word, I handed out blank papers and pencils. Confused whispers filled the room.
On the board, I wrote:“Write your name and the date. Then write a paragraph explaining why you were acting the way you did. When you’re done, flip your paper.”
Their reactions were priceless—confusion, annoyance, and, eventually, compliance. Even the reluctant ones started writing when they saw their peers following suit. The room transformed into a sanctuary of quiet focus. It was perfect.
We spent the next part of class reading and discussing their answers, and it all boiled down to four common themes:
This exercise taught me more than I ever expected. My students weren’t just misbehaving because they wanted to; they were struggling with peer pressure, a lack of awareness about their behavior, misunderstanding what’s “funny,” and assuming indifference because they felt the teacher didn’t care.
That first day was a disaster, yes. But it was also my crash course in real-world teaching.
I quickly learned that building a positive classroom culture takes more than just the strategies I learned in my degree. Sometimes, to regain your composure, you need a little silence and a lot of persistence. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
Another key piece? Being Fierce. Crazy, right? Who would’ve thought? But embracing this mindset completely transformed the way I approached teaching—and everything changed for the better.
What does it mean to 'Be Fierce'? It’s not about anger or toughness. It’s not about controlling the students or expecting silence at all times. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s about navigating the classroom in ways that make it lively, fun, and full of learning, all while maintaining control. It’s about staying calm in the face of chaos, staying grounded in your beliefs, and leading by example with confidence. It’s about having the strength to face challenges head-on, without losing your composure or sense of purpose. For me, being fierce means leading with intention, setting clear boundaries, and staying present—even when everything around you feels out of control.
And in that moment on my first day, my example was my silence. Had I raised my voice even a little to tell them to sit down, I would’ve been giving in to the chaos and reinforcing it. Instead, by staying silent, I showed them that calm could be powerful—and it worked. The classroom followed my lead and became quiet as a result.
Feeling unsure about handling a classroom on your first day? You’re not alone, and I’m here to help.
Through my years of teaching, I’ve developed practical, actionable strategies that help teachers navigate their toughest moments with confidence.
If you want to:
...all without feeling overwhelmed, my coaching can help. Together, we’ll turn your first day into a triumph and build a foundation for success.
It’s time to Be Fierce, and let’s make your teaching journey unforgettable—because your journey deserves a strong start.
My first day of teaching? A total disaster.
The good news? Yours doesn’t have to be. Learn about the power of silence and discover how I turned disaster into a breakthrough and learned to build a positive classroom culture.
Let me take you back to where it all began, ten years ago. A week before my debut as a teacher, I was a bundle of excitement and preparation. My science classroom looked like a Pinterest dream. Motivational posters adorned the walls, collaboration hubs were perfectly arranged, and I had the ideal spots for homework drop-offs and classwork pick-ups. My checklist? Done.
On the big day, I woke up early, dressed in my new outfit, grabbed my packed bag, and set off. In my mind, I imagined a magical first day: friendly introductions, engaging icebreakers, and an effortless connection with my students.
Spoiler alert: Reality had other plans.
When the students arrived, everything went sideways. They ran wild—jumping on tables and chairs, throwing around their bags, and mimicking animal sounds while yelling, “We ARE Tarzan!”
Tarzan? Really?
I froze. My face turned red. Sweat formed. Nothing could have prepared me for this, not even the strategies I learned from my degree. What now? Tell them to sit? They didn’t listen. Say it’s not nice? They didn’t care. My mind raced while the clock ticked.
Then suddenly, a student muttered, “Umm, I don’t think she cares.”
To my surprise, the room quieted. The students sat down, puzzled by my silence. It hit me—could silence be the answer?
I leaned into the moment, staying calm and quiet although my heart was racing, and my hands were shaking. I walked to my desk, sat down, and stared at them one by one. Without a word, I handed out blank papers and pencils. Confused whispers filled the room.
On the board, I wrote:“Write your name and the date. Then write a paragraph explaining why you were acting the way you did. When you’re done, flip your paper.”
Their reactions were priceless—confusion, annoyance, and, eventually, compliance. Even the reluctant ones started writing when they saw their peers following suit. The room transformed into a sanctuary of quiet focus. It was perfect.
We spent the next part of class reading and discussing their answers, and it all boiled down to four common themes:
This exercise taught me more than I ever expected. My students weren’t just misbehaving because they wanted to; they were struggling with peer pressure, a lack of awareness about their behavior, misunderstanding what’s “funny,” and assuming indifference because they felt the teacher didn’t care.
That first day was a disaster, yes. But it was also my crash course in real-world teaching.
I quickly learned that building a positive classroom culture takes more than just the strategies I learned in my degree. Sometimes, to regain your composure, you need a little silence and a lot of persistence. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
Another key piece? Being Fierce. Crazy, right? Who would’ve thought? But embracing this mindset completely transformed the way I approached teaching—and everything changed for the better.
What does it mean to 'Be Fierce'? It’s not about anger or toughness. It’s not about controlling the students or expecting silence at all times. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s about navigating the classroom in ways that make it lively, fun, and full of learning, all while maintaining control. It’s about staying calm in the face of chaos, staying grounded in your beliefs, and leading by example with confidence. It’s about having the strength to face challenges head-on, without losing your composure or sense of purpose. For me, being fierce means leading with intention, setting clear boundaries, and staying present—even when everything around you feels out of control.
And in that moment on my first day, my example was my silence. Had I raised my voice even a little to tell them to sit down, I would’ve been giving in to the chaos and reinforcing it. Instead, by staying silent, I showed them that calm could be powerful—and it worked. The classroom followed my lead and became quiet as a result.
Feeling unsure about handling a classroom on your first day? You’re not alone, and I’m here to help.
Through my years of teaching, I’ve developed practical, actionable strategies that help teachers navigate their toughest moments with confidence.
If you want to:
...all without feeling overwhelmed, my coaching can help. Together, we’ll turn your first day into a triumph and build a foundation for success.
It’s time to Be Fierce, and let’s make your teaching journey unforgettable—because your journey deserves a strong start.
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