Congratulations! You just landed your first job as a first-year elementary music teacher! You might be excited but feeling anxious or nervous about the upcoming year. There’s a lot to organize and manage—from crafting your lesson plans to preparing your first concert. Don’t worry. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. In this post, I’m going to share some tips that I’ve learned over the years to help first year music teachers survive (and even thrive) during their first year of teaching.

Learn About Your School & Program

Before your first time teaching your young students, it’s important to get to know the school and community you’ll be serving. Different schools will have different expectations of their music program and teacher. You’ll want to learn those expectations and try to meet them as much as possible during the first year. As a first-year elementary music teacher, understanding your school’s environment is crucial for success. I recommend researching on the school website, and talking with colleagues and your principal. If you find there are certain procedures you want to change, that’s normal, but I recommend waiting and not changing too much too soon. First-year elementary music teachers should focus on earning the trust of the students and community before implementing any major changes with the music program.

Prep for Your First Year as a Music Teacher

There is so much to do before the start of the school year, and you can never be too prepared! You’ll want to organize your teacher planner and grade book, order classroom supplies, and determine your classroom procedures and what your ensembles and concerts will look like. As you plan for your first concerts, you might find it helpful to explore Concert Planning for Music Teachers for a detailed guide on organizing successful performances. For inspiration on unique and engaging concert themes, check out the post: 10 Unique Themes for School Concerts.

If you’re lucky enough to have a classroom, you might want to decorate it. If you’re on a cart, you’ll certainly want to organize that too! I highly recommend creating a checklist for yourself so you start the school year smoothly.

Get To Know Your Students

When you’re the new music teacher, you’ll want to focus on learning the names of students quickly and form connections where you can. Students will inevitably share their feelings about the new music teacher to their families at home, so try to make sure your classes are positive experiences for the kids. This is also the time where some students may try to push boundaries with you, the new teacher. Always assert your expectations in these situations and maintain a firm but fair approach. For additional insights on effectively managing your classroom and expectations, read 10 Tips for Teaching Music Effectively.

Bonding with Families for First Year Music Teachers

It’s important to remember that you’re not just serving students, you’re serving the community. Don’t be afraid to reach out and involve families in the music program. Invite parents to concerts and other music events. Communicate regularly through newsletters, a class website, or social media profile to keep them informed about what their children are learning and how they can improve their child’s learning at home. This fosters a supportive network that can enhance your program and provide learners with a more enriched experience. When families feel connected and involved, it fosters a positive community that benefits everyone.

Find Your Support Network

Your first year as a new music teacher will likely be full of ups and downs. If you haven’t done so already, you’ll want to find a network of teaching colleagues to lean on. This could be teachers in your school building, college, or even through a supportive Facebook group! I suggest trying to find at least one experienced music teacher to serve as your mentor during this first year. If that’s not possible, find an experienced teacher in another subject area. Ideally, you want to find someone to bounce ideas off of and troubleshoot issues with when they arise. Reaching out to other first-year elementary music teachers can also be incredibly helpful.

Starting your first year will be challenging but you’re ready! Remember, every music teacher starts somewhere, and you will refine your practice! It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them as you go. The most important thing is to make those connections and build bonds within your community. By following these tips you’ll be well on your way to a successful first year. Good luck on your music teaching journey!