Welcome, ESL educators! In today's episode, we're diving into the real, unfiltered experience of your first two weeks back in the classroom. Whether you're brand new to teaching English learners or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you walk into the school year with clarity, confidence, and calm.
💡 Before we get started—don't forget to sign up for my FREE professional development training:
3 Simple & Powerful Secrets to a Successful School Year
You'll walk away with practical tools to reduce overwhelm, simplify planning, and build meaningful connections with your students—plus a PD certificate just for attending!
The first two weeks of school can feel like a whirlwind, especially for ESL teachers juggling new students, changing schedules, and multiple responsibilities. In this episode, I'm sharing a realistic, heart-centered look at what to expect during this time—so you can set the tone for a successful year ahead.
Sets the tone for classroom culture and relationships
Helps students feel seen, safe, and supported
Allows you to build structure before diving into academics
Get to know students, families, and your teaching team
Begin establishing routines to create consistency and safety
Start (or prepare for) initial assessments
Expect to feel overwhelmed—it's normal!
Focus on small wins to build momentum
🧘🏽 Tip: When things feel messy, pause and reset. Flexibility is your superpower.
Introduce light academic content
Continue building and reinforcing routines
Strengthen student relationships and classroom community
Adjust what's not working—pivoting is part of the process
Finalize scheduling and student files
🧩 Goal: By the end of Week 2, your class will begin to feel like a true learning community.
If this episode helped you feel more grounded and prepared, take a small step today:
Outline your classroom routines
Set one goal for relationship-building
Share this episode with a fellow ESL teacher who could use support
And remember—you are doing incredible work.
✨ FREE PD Training:
3 Simple & Powerful Secrets to a Successful School Year
✔️ Includes PD Certificate
✔️ Actionable strategies for planning & mindset
✔️ Designed for ESL teachers like you!
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🎉 You've got this—and I'm cheering you on every step of the way.
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