Are you a first-year teacher wondering how to actually prepare over the summer? You're not alone.

When I was getting ready for my first school year, I spent hours on Pinterest researching classroom themes, scrolling Instagram for decor inspo, and wandering through Target’s Dollar Spot trying to find the perfect setup.

By the time teacher workdays rolled around, I was still stapling borders to my bulletin boards… while other teachers were already planning their first few weeks of lessons.

When the first week of school hit, I was completely overwhelmed.

Most of those workdays were filled with meetings (not planning time). My classroom looked cute, sure—but I had no systems, no routines, and no clear plan for how to manage behavior from day one.

That week was a wake-up call.

So today, I want to walk you through what most first-year teachers focus on during summer—and what successful teachers actually do to set themselves up for the best year ever.

Common Summer Mistakes First-Year Teachers Make

Let’s start with what most first-year teachers (myself included!) mistakenly focus on when preparing for back-to-school.

1. Focusing Too Much on Decor

When I got my first classroom, I spent the entire summer creating a Pinterest-perfect, travel-themed classroom. Maps, postcards, globes—you name it.

It was adorable.
But by the second week of school? I realized I had no idea how to actually run my classroom.

Decor is important—your classroom should feel like a space where you and your students feel safe and excited to learn—but it doesn’t need to be perfect on day one. You can build and tweak your aesthetic as the year goes on.

2. Feeling Pressure to Buy Everything All at Once

My first year, I didn’t have much of a budget. But I still felt like I had to buy all the things—from flexible seating to teacher toolkits to themed bulletin board sets.

Then I changed grades and districts my second year… and had to start over. 
The second time around, I gave myself permission to add things over time. It took the pressure off and allowed me to focus on what actually mattered.

3. Skipping Classroom Management

I was so focused on how my classroom looked that I completely skipped planning how my classroom would run.

I had no plan for how students would follow expectations, how I’d teach them those expectations, or what would happen when rules weren’t followed.

Big mistake.

4. Saving Planning for Teacher Work Days

It’s tempting to leave your lesson planning for those back-to-school workdays… but the truth? Most of that time will be used for mandatory meetings, PDs, and district training.

You may get an hour or two per day in your classroom—if that. If you want to walk in prepared, plan before those workdays begin.

What Successful Teachers Do Instead

Ready for the shift? Here’s what I (and many other successful teachers) now do each summer.

1. Systems Over Stuff

Instead of spending your entire summer on decor, spend just one week setting up your space. Then use the rest of your time to create systems.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Clear classroom procedures: entering the room, turning in work, asking for help
  
  
• Transitions: I love using songs to signal when it’s time to move to the next activity
  
  
• Routines for morning work, early finishers, and behavior expectations
  
  

Want to see exactly how I teach these? Check out my done-for-you classroom procedure slides on TPT.

2. Communication Over Cute

Your room can be Instagram-worthy, but if families feel disconnected or unsure of what’s happening, you’ll struggle.

Instead, spend time:

• Creating systems for consistent family communication
  
  
• Prepping newsletters or using editable templates (like mine here)
  
  
• Planning your Meet the Teacher Night with intention
  
  

I’ve got a full set of Meet the Teacher slides, welcome forms, and checklists on TPT if you want to make this part super easy.

3. Flow Over Fluff

An intentional classroom layout can actually prevent disruptive behavior. Think:

• Strategic seating and supply placement
  
  
• Visual routines posted
  
  
• Systems like student jobs and classroom roles
  
  

And don't forget your paper flow:

• Set up bins for turning in work, graded work, no-name papers, etc.
  
  
• Organize your digital files in folders you’ll actually use
  
  

4. One Thing at a Time

Instead of trying to do everything all summer long, break it up by focus:

• Week 1: Layout and Decor
• Week 2: Classroom Management
• Week 3: Communication Systems
• Week 4: Paper Flow and Digital Organization

This gives you structure, prevents burnout, and ensures you’re covering what matters most.

Recap: What Most vs. Successful First-Year Teachers Do

Most first-year teachers:

• Focus heavily on decor
• Feel pressured to buy everything all at once
• Skip classroom management planning
• Leave lesson planning for teacher workdays

Successful teachers:

• Prioritize creating classroom systems over decor
• Add to their classrooms over time
• Plan classroom procedures, transitions, and routines ahead of time
• Complete lesson planning during the summer
• Break their summer prep into focused weekly themes

Next Steps

If you’re a new teacher or feeling overwhelmed by where to start, here’s how I can help:

Free Classroom Setup Guide – Get started with a simple checklist and priority list
Classroom Setup Bundle – 26+ done-for-you templates that help you automate your setup
Classroom Kickstart Mini-Course – Walk through your entire classroom setup process with me step by step

You deserve to start the year calm, confident, and prepared—not overwhelmed and burned out.

And it all starts with shifting your summer focus.

Let’s set up the classroom of your dreams—the easy way.

With all the love,
Helena <3
The Present Teacher