Get classroom-ready with these 9 essential back-to-school tips for teachers. From setting routines to organizing your desk and prepping your Sub Tub, start the year stress-free!
Let’s Talk Back-to-School (Without the Panic)
Did you ever worry you were going to forget something crucial?
Or make a to-do list, only to lose it five minutes later? (Yep, that happened more times than I care to admit.)
Strong starts mattered. A smooth beginning set the tone for the whole year—for both me and my students.
Every summer, I’d join the teacher crowd scrolling Pinterest, hunting for back-to-school tips. Because that’s what we do.
And even after years in the classroom (especially those last few!), I still had moments of what am I forgetting?! as my to-do list morphed into a never-ending scroll.
But I learned that the more prepared I was, the calmer I felt. Preparation gave me the mental breathing room to focus on what really mattered.
When the back-to-school stress kicked in, I leaned on a few simple mantras:
“I’m flexible.”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
“I’ve got this.”
Say it. Repeat it. Eventually, it started to stick.
I couldn’t control everything—but I could control my mindset, my prep, and my priorities. (Still reminding myself of that one.)
So if you’re in the thick of it right now, take a breath. Lean on your people. Make space for joy. And don’t forget to laugh—it saved me more times than I can count.
Here are the Back to School Tips Every Teacher Needs:
They’re pretty easy… and they do make a difference!
1. Learn Students’ Name (Yes, It Really Matters)
Before the first day, I’d study my class list like it was the final round of Jeopardy. If I could, I’d even check in with last year’s teacher to get the scoop on tricky pronunciations.
And I always, always practiced saying names out loud ahead of time. One year, I stumbled over a student’s name for days—and we both felt awkward. Lesson learned: it’s worth the prep.
Quick tricks that helped me:
- Name labels on desks – a visual shortcut that connected names to faces and seating spots.
- DIY name tents – thick cardstock folded into thirds and taped down. Bonus: students could personalize them with arrows (⬆ means “I’ve got it,” ⬇ means “I need help”). Super handy and student-friendly.
- Locker and hook name tags – great for the first week or two. Just be ready to remind students not to pick at the tape like it’s a fidget toy.
- Pre-made name tags – If you want cute or functional, TpT is full of editable options. I used them every year.
Some teachers use student numbers to keep things organized—especially helpful for grading and paperwork. Just be careful: the roster always shifts. New students arrive. Some don’t show.
If you use numbers, wait a day or two before locking them in, and never reassign them mid-year (trust me on this).
2. Teach Daily Routines and Procedures (Your Sanity Depends on It)
If there’s one thing that saved my sanity year after year, it was this: teach the routines early—and often.
Before the year started, I’d decide on every key classroom procedure and commit to teaching them like they were part of my actual curriculum. Because honestly? They are.
When you take time to explicitly teach and model classroom expectations from day one, you’re laying the foundation for a calm, predictable learning environment. Bonus: your future self will thank you.
Here’s the routine I followed to teach all my classroom routines—kind of a routine within a routine!
- Model the correct way.
- Model the wrong way.
- Discuss why it was wrong.
- Let a student show the correct way again.
That last step really locks it in. And if you choose a student who might struggle with the routine? Even better. It gives them a chance to practice and get feedback right away—before habits form.
Procedures worth teaching early:
- Taking lunch count
- Getting your attention
- Sharpening pencils (the chaos this one avoids…)
- Lining up and hallway behavior
- Coat and backpack routines
- Drink and bathroom breaks
- Classroom manners and expectations
Teaching online? Don’t skip this.
Virtual routines are just as important. Teach students:
- How to enter a meeting on time
- How to communicate respectfully online
- When and how to ask questions
- Where to submit work
- When it’s OK to email/message you—and when it’s not
And no need to start from scratch. You can find editable routines and procedures resources on TpT that are ready to roll. Trust me—they’re worth every penny.
3. Make Lesson Plans – Write, Type, Scribble, Whatever Works
I always felt more confident walking into the school year when I had a game plan—at least for the first two weeks.
Even if those first few days were filled with flexibility (read: controlled chaos), having some structure helped me feel grounded. I’d map out my goals, key topics, and where I hoped things were headed—even if I ended up taking a few detours along the way.
Pro tip: Save everything. Notes, scribbles, sticky tabs, last year’s copies. Your future self will thank you when you’re trying to remember what actually worked—and what flopped.
I’m a paper-and-pencil kind of planner, and my ideas rarely fit in those tiny boxes in the lesson plan book. So I wrote freely, scratched things out, and filled in the gaps as I went.
If you’re more of a digital type, you’ve got options galore. TpT is full of editable planners that are cute, functional, and super customizable.
Confession: I might get a little too excited about picking out new planners every year. There’s just something magical about a fresh layout and pretty tabs. Don’t judge.
At the end of the day, it’s all about what helps you feel ready. And yes—plans will change. Sometimes multiple times. But having a starting point is a major stress reducer.
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This printable (and editable!) checklist is packed with smart, practical ideas to kick off the school year without the chaos.
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Speaking of lesson plans, I’ve created a set of teacher binders you can use year after year. The bundle includes printable lesson plan pages, organizational forms, and everything you need to stay on top of your classroom all year long.
CLICK HERE (or tap the image below) to learn how to set up your Teaching Binder and keep track of the essential paperwork you’ll need.
Plus, check out the FREE Icebreaker activity near the end of this article—perfect for the first few days with students!
4. Hang a Student Name List Outside Your Door
Nothing says “Welcome!” louder than seeing your name displayed when you walk into a new classroom. It sets a warm tone and gives every student a quick sense of belonging. I always decorated the door with names during the first week—it helps settle nerves and makes the space feel friendly.
Plus, it’s practical: it helps prevent lost students wandering into the wrong classroom!
Pinterest has tons of cute and easy ideas for name displays—worth checking out if you want a little extra flair.
5. Clear the Clutter—Start with Your Desk
An organized desk isn’t just about being tidy—it’s about saving your sanity. There’s nothing worse than needing something, but your workspace looks like a paper tornado hit it.
Believe me, I’ve been there—and then I’ve been defeated by the cluttered aftermath. If I can’t even set down my coffee cup on my desk, something needs to change.
Here’s a trick from a former mentor: touch each paper only once—decide in the moment to either file it away or toss it.
And let’s be real—if it’s cute but not useful for this class, consider passing it on instead of adding to the clutter.
Your future self will thank you.
6. Sticky Notes: Your Secret Weapon
These little guys earned a permanent spot in my bag of tricks. I stuck them on my computer screen, desk, even my purse—especially during meetings. Got a name or task you need to remember? Jot it down.
If you’re on a Windows computer, open a digital Sticky Note right on your desktop—it’s the same idea, less paper.
Not a sticky-note person? No problem. Old-fashioned to-do lists work too—though I’ll admit, I’ve made lists of my lists. Overkill? Maybe. But I keep them because I will forget something next year.
When my brain felt like it was going to explode, I’d grab a blank page and do a “brain dump”—write everything down. It’s instant relief, trust me.
7. Build a Sub-Tub Now
Pull this together once, and you’ll thank yourself later—especially on a sick day.
No one likes calling in sick, but it’s infinitely worse when you have to scramble for lesson plans before bed. Creating a Sub-Tub (or substitute tub) today can save you grief later.
I’ve explained my easy-peasy Sub-Tub method in a separate post. Click Right HERE.
While I don’t sell sub plans myself, there are excellent quality options on TpT—worth every penny. Treat it as a back-to-school investment, not an unnecessary expense. You’ll be relieved when you wake up feeling yuck—and everything’s ready to go.
8. Read Your Students’ IEPs With Care
Seriously—don’t skip this.
I always printed IEPs and 504 plans, grabbed colorful highlighters and Flair pens, and studied every detail. I marked accommodations and modifications, and summarized them on a one-page sheet that got tucked into my planner or gradebook.
Because these are legal documents, there’s no room for guesswork. If you’re unsure, ask your intervention specialist. Better to ask a question now than deal with a mistake later.
9. Finish Bulletin Boards and Decorate
There’s something so satisfying about checking “decorate room” off your list. Bonus: your room might just become the one everyone’s jealous of!
Here’s how I like to get it done:
- Ask a friend, family member, or even your kid to help—decorating goes faster with an extra hand.
- Choose your bulletin board themes and add colorful paper or fabric backgrounds.
- Keep it focused—reading strategies, student goals, classroom norms—so it looks great and serves a purpose.
With the boards done, you’re that much closer to ready.
Those are your key jobs before school starts. Keep high-traffic areas tidy, workspaces clear, and—most importantly—stay positive. You’ve got this!
???? Looking for That Free Icebreaker?
It’s right here!
Download a FREE icebreaker for the first days of school—where students guess their teacher’s favorites. Click the image below to grab it:
Want Even More Back-to-School Help?
Be sure to grab your FREE Back-to-School Checklist—it’s the perfect companion to these tips and more. Sign up to get your copy and start your school year stress-free.
Want to go digital? No problem—click here to learn how to turn the PDF into a slide activity for students.
For even more back to school ideas, tips, strategies, and hacks, check out this blog article.
Need a new strategy for teaching multiplication and division?
Check out the Visual Math Organizer Strategy!
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Written by Jules Rhee; Published July 2017; Updated June 13, 2025.