https://www.googleforeducommunity.com/t5/Discussion-Space/Starting-Out-in-Your-School/m-p/207739#M49 <P><SPAN>In the summer of 2019, I’d just accepted an eighth grade English Language Arts position in a new school district. Though I wasn’t new to teaching, I didn’t know anyone on the campus, and the principal that had originally hired me had been promoted to central office and wouldn’t be leading my middle school campus. Unexpectedly, I had an unplanned, emergency surgery the week before the school year began, and missed the first six weeks of the year due to the recovery plan advised by my oncologist.&nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>I can still remember my first few weeks in the school building – learning names, trying to become familiar with the routines of this campus, and quietly hoping that I was meeting expectations that I was still trying to figure out.&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>It wasn’t the start I (or anyone in my shoes) wanted.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>What do you want for your teachers?</SPAN></P><P><STRONG><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":right_arrow:">➡️</span> When you think about the newest teachers in your building, how might they describe their first month? What has likely felt clear and supportive and what might still feel uncertain?</STRONG></P><P><SPAN>Reply in the comments and share one thing you believe a new teacher halfway through their first year in your building is experiencing right now in your school.</SPAN></P> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:12:41 GMT Jmccallum 2026-02-24T14:12:41Z https://www.googleforeducommunity.com/t5/Discussion-Space/Starting-Out-in-Your-School/m-p/207739#M49 <P><SPAN>In the summer of 2019, I’d just accepted an eighth grade English Language Arts position in a new school district. Though I wasn’t new to teaching, I didn’t know anyone on the campus, and the principal that had originally hired me had been promoted to central office and wouldn’t be leading my middle school campus. Unexpectedly, I had an unplanned, emergency surgery the week before the school year began, and missed the first six weeks of the year due to the recovery plan advised by my oncologist.&nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>I can still remember my first few weeks in the school building – learning names, trying to become familiar with the routines of this campus, and quietly hoping that I was meeting expectations that I was still trying to figure out.&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>It wasn’t the start I (or anyone in my shoes) wanted.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>What do you want for your teachers?</SPAN></P><P><STRONG><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":right_arrow:">➡️</span> When you think about the newest teachers in your building, how might they describe their first month? What has likely felt clear and supportive and what might still feel uncertain?</STRONG></P><P><SPAN>Reply in the comments and share one thing you believe a new teacher halfway through their first year in your building is experiencing right now in your school.</SPAN></P> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:12:41 GMT https://www.googleforeducommunity.com/t5/Discussion-Space/Starting-Out-in-Your-School/m-p/207739#M49 Jmccallum 2026-02-24T14:12:41Z