Hey teacher besties, we are deep in back-to-school season! My kids are starting a brand new school after their old one shut down (yes, that's apparently a thing that can happen), and thanks to our vacation timing, they're going to miss their actual first day. Gerry and Molly assure me this is fine, and I'm choosing to believe them. We also get into Gerry's actual classroom rules, and guys, I would pay real money to be a fly on the wall when he lays down the law. We spend a good chunk of this episode trying to figure out why it works so well for him and why my crash outs just get me giggled at instead of feared.

Then we get into some real advice for new teachers, because Molly and I both remember exactly how terrifying that first summer is when you don't even know what your first unit is supposed to be. We share some of our favorite first week icebreaker activities too, so steal those if you need them. And then, because we can never end an episode without at least one hill to die on, Molly gives an incredible rant about men who say creepy things to teachers, and I finally get to publicly drag my husband for something he said to me eighteen years ago about cheerleading. You're welcome.

Takeaways:
Gerry's classroom management style leans heavily on intimidation and clear boundaries from day one, and he swears by it.

New teachers often think everyone else has it all figured out, but the reality is most teachers, even veteran ones, are making it up as they go.

Simple icebreaker activities, like two truths and a lie or investigating the classroom for clues about the teacher, are great low-stakes ways to build community in the first week.

Telling a teacher you would have had a crush on them if they'd been your teacher is creepy and predatory, not flattering, so please just don't.

Screen time rules can and should be thrown out the window the second you're on a plane or road trip, no guilt required.

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Knoword is an online tool for creating fun vocabulary games. Visit Knoword.com to learn how it fits into your classroom.
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
2:54 - Gerry's Classroom Rules
7:04 - Is It a Gender Thing?
10:35 - Kicking Kids Out
18:09 - Missing the First Day
26:14 - New Teacher Fears
45:45 - Hills to Die On