When new teachers first arrive for orientation days, there are a plethora of emotions as they attempt to balance a new country, new school, and new life. As many of us have experienced, we likely remember very little from those first weeks in a new school. My advice; do everything possible to make sure that you give new teachers exactly what they need to feel settled and ready for the first day of school. Have a look at this list of things that teachers want and need before the first day of school with students.

1. Time in Classrooms: It is extremely important to provide an ample amount of time for teachers to organize and prepare their classrooms. I remember, as a teacher, I would spend the first couple hours simply sitting in my new classroom visualizing the layout before moving any furniture. It is tempting to tell teachers that they need to find their own time at the end of the day or on weekends to organize their classrooms (and this should be made available), but I highly recommend having time during the day as well. At my current school, we organize professional learning so that new teachers have nearly a 1/2 day, every day, to work in their classrooms. *This is also a great time and opportunity for administrators to check in daily with new teachers to answer any questions and show your support.
2. Curriculum: New teachers need to have access to their curricula early on in the process. Depending upon how you organize curriculum as a school, it is beneficial to send new teachers links to curricula (i.e. Atlas Rubicon) so that they can start exploring. All teachers will explore curriculum at different speeds and thus the earlier you are able to provide this, the better.
3. Professional Learning: There are certain professional learning sessions that will need to take place within the first few days. As you determine your professional learning schedule in conjunction with the school leadership team, make sure that all sessions are practical, meaningful, and engaging. New teachers have so many things on their mind that it is hard at this stage to stuff in too much extra stuff. Stay tuned for a future blog dedicated to suggestions and advice for providing differentiated professional learning.
4. Social Outings/Team Building: Please do not forget that new teachers need plenty of opportunity to get to know their colleagues and community. Social opportunities outside of school will provide new teachers a chance to build friendships as well as explore a new city and neighborhood. Nightly dinners, weekend excursions (to local markets or tourist sites), and fun events can contribute to a positive experience. If you can find a leader in your school passionate about supporting new teachers, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few things to try: separate teachers into teams and complete an Amazing Race around the community, rent out a team building Ropes Course for the day, or organize your own morning of team building activities. The goal is for people to get to know one another better and to have fun!
5. Phones/Internet/Banking/Housing: Depending upon how your school sets up these important “essentials” for new teachers, these need to be discussed and planned out on the very first day. Especially in international schools, new teachers need to feel confident that they will be able to communicate home with family, research the local culture, and use the Internet in the evening to either wind-down or prepare for their students. I would recommend communicating early and often with new teachers on these “essentials”! One of the very first meetings, possibly after a school tour and welcome from the director, should involve supporting and answering questions on the topics of phones, Internet, banking, and housing.

All school communities have a different culture and vibe. When in doubt of what first steps to take in welcoming new teachers, ask your current staff and/or welcoming committee what they would consider essential for new teachers.