Skip to content
classroom tips

25 Things I Learned in 25 Years Teaching PreK

Classroom Tips, Truths, and Random Facts…

  • Classroom Tip Number 1: How to unclog a toilet is a class you can take at Home Depot designed for new homeowners. It will come in handy during circle time.
  • How to remove live animals from the playground. Especially when animal control is busy (read more here)
  • How to fix a leaky faucet with makeshift classroom tools.
  • No matter what you do all the marker lids, glue caps, and lost buttons will end up in the same place in the twilight zone. Consequently being lost forever…
  • Classroom Tip #5: How to catch a snake, toad, and lizard for viewing purposes.
  • How to plan a child-led curriculum while covering standards (Read More here)
  • It is OK to ask for help when needed.
  • Close the door and teach, have fun, and be silly.
  • It is ok to be different than the teacher next door (Read more here)
  • We all need a mentor.
  • Don’t be afraid to change (Read more here)
  • Having a plan is key, even if you change your mind halfway through the plan (Read more here)
  • How to check your own emotional baggage at the door.
  • You will need to write it down, record a video about it, include it in the newsletter, and on every page of the website, plus tell the students if it is important information for the parents.
  • Model everything, when your student finally gets it, model it again
  • It’s OK to learn to be theatrical, and it’s OK to bring your own brand of excitement- You DO You!
  • Students are looking for a clear consistent structure. As a result your classroom management will soar.
  • If you cannot break it down into 4-year-old terms you don’t understand it quite yet.
  • Use a big vocabulary. If they can say pterodactyl they can say anything.
  • Dress the part. Professionalism, being seen as a specialist, and confidence doesn’t come from yoga pants, jeans, and a T-shirt.
  • Use descriptive words instead of negative words for things that are scary. Snakes are not nasty, they are smooth, cold-blooded reptiles. Spiders are not creepy, they are eight-legged arachnids. (Read more here)
  • Track all the data (Read More Here)
  • Classroom Tips and tricks are also taught by students. And 4-year-olds teach the best lessons.
  • Positivity breeds positivity (between you, the students, and your helpers) have an attitude of we try and try again.
  • Virtual Learning is not for the faint of heart, and you should never do a song that requires you to turn your back on the screen in a virtual world (No more Hokey Pokey while we are online 😉). (Read More here).

Classroom Tips and Lessons Are Everywhere…

No matter what stage of life you are in there is a lesson to be learned. Where you work, or what age group you teach. You can read about how my friend Ivana left the traditional classroom and the lessons she learned HERE.

Leave a comment and tell me all about a lesson you have learned through your years in education.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I'm Tina!

Nature-loving educator, early childhood mentor, and self-proclaimed creepy crawlie enthusiast.

For nearly two decades, I’ve helped early educators reimagine what’s possible inside traditional classrooms—supporting play, nature, and calm in environments that often feel anything but.

But that isn’t where my journey started…

There are a lot of programs that teach play.
Some that teach nature.
And plenty that promise to help you “hack” your schedule.

But Teach the TK Way is the only method that does all three—
with full support for traditional classrooms, district expectations, shared spaces, and real-life teachers.

Here, you don’t have to choose between worksheets and wonder.
You don’t have to burn out trying to fit someone else’s vision.

We work with what you have—and grow something beautiful from there.

Let's Connect!

Get your copy of *Calm the Chaos*

Grab the Workbook HERE 

    Natural Classroom Activity Guide for Primary Teachers

      We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.