How do you build community in a new school setting as a new teacher? It seems like other teachers have already formed their own groups.
.jpg)


Coming from an introvert, this can be hard to find your group!
Make sure you introduce yourself to your teammates, if you have them, and anyone else who is in your hallway.
As a veteran teacher, I make it my mission to seek out and find our new teachers, even if they are not on my team, and offer help and support. These are these teachers who you can connect with first and who can help connect you with others.
Attend any staff gatherings to get to know more of the staff, go ask other teachers for advice (even if you don’t use their responses), and offer to just team time/planning in your classroom to get to know other teachers.
I’ve been in my current building for 5 years and there is some staff I know well and some I hardly ever see because they are in another hall or teacher another grade level. By seeking out opportunities to connect with staff in other places, I’ve been able to connect with them more.
I see my own team daily and we have become a team over time, but it takes time and figuring out each others strengths and how we mesh with each other.
So if you don’t find you feel like you’re fitting in a group, stay the course, hang tight, it takes time and working together to figure out how you ALL fit in your new group.
Keep your door open before and after school. Stay after school (you'll be busy and do this anyhow) and talk to others. Ask for help. Talk to other teachers at the copier. You'll find those who are friendly and willing to assist.
I just shared a slide show and lesson idea with a new teacher in my district. She replied with a nice thank you email. This motivated me to share more.
A simple place to start is to eat lunch, if possible, with your team everyday. I know the urge is to work in your classroom during lunch and answer emails, or grade paper, but just the simple act of eating with your team is huge! Taking those few minutes to breathe and disconnect from your classroom is so important for your own well-being but being with your team builds those relationships.