Back to School is such an exciting time of year! As you prepare to greet and welcome students into new environments, establishing strong new school year routines and prioritizing classroom community building can set the tone for success. Our Harmony Educator Advisory members have gathered practical advice and words of encouragement to support you along the way.
From thoughtful classroom prep to must-use Harmony resources, these back-to-school tips for teachers are designed to help you foster strong relationships and healthy school climates that last throughout the school year.
Aimee Gallant
1st Grade Teacher
Hopewell, VA
My best educator tip for back to school: Ensure you are ready for the first day of school. Make sure you have your procedures written down and make a list of everything you need to go over with your students during the first week. Here’s how:
Prepare Your Classroom
Spend time setting up your classroom for your students. It is essential to have a classroom that is inviting and welcoming to both students and parents. When you are preparing your classroom, take the time to organize materials and the classroom in a way that will be helpful for both you and your students.
Build Relationships
During the first week of school, get to know your students. You can use Harmony’s Quick Connection Cards to help facilitate this activity. Send out a Home-to-School Connection letter to help engage with families. Share information about the Harmony program with parents in your Back-to-School Night presentation.
Establish Procedures
It is important to establish procedures, routines, and expectations from the first day of school. Harmony Professional Learning provides a great series of modules that educators can watch on-demand about setting up and establishing procedures in their classroom. I recommend spending the first 20 days reviewing procedures daily. Practice, practice, practice!
Anderson Manuel
1st Grade Teacher
Sudbury, Massachusetts
My best educator tip for back to school: The first week of school is a whirlwind of emotions and expectations. It’s crucial to set the stage for a positive, nurturing learning environment. Here’s how to make it unforgettable:
Prepare Your Space
A welcoming classroom is essential. Spend a few days before school starts to transform your room into a vibrant and inviting space. Create engaging bulletin boards that preview your upcoming units. Organize materials efficiently to maximize your time.
Welcome Your Students Before They Arrive
I love to send a video of me reading a story and welcoming them, so they can hear my voice and start building trust early. Because when students feel like they know you, school feels less scary. That first connection sets the tone for everything. Students who feel safe and seen are more willing to take risks, engage, and learn. If you want to start your year strong, start with connection.
Build Strong Connections
Harmony’s Building Community Pre-Unit is a fantastic starting point. Use Quick Connection Cards to initiate meaningful conversations and to foster a sense of belonging. Remember, relationships are the foundation of effective teaching.
Embrace the Journey
The first day of school can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. By prioritizing student well-being, creating a positive classroom environment, and utilizing the power of Harmony, you will lay a strong foundation for a successful school year. Remember, every child deserves a teacher who believes in them. You’ve got this!
Olivia Leone
5th Grade Teacher
Millburn, New Jersey
My best educator tip for back to school: Consistency, communication, and courage are the foundations of a classroom where strong, compassionate, and empathetic learners can thrive. When returning to school, reflect on the previous year and think back to all the great things you did as an educator. Make a list of what you want to continue doing and think of areas that you can strengthen.
Family Connection
Making time to speak to parents and families in the first month of school is critical! One tip for returning to school is taking the time to call parents for a 1–2 minute phone conversation. Taking the time to build a school-to-home connection will make for a more successful school year. Invite parents for an event, such as Back-to-School Night, and include information about Sanford Harmony so they could be aware of how their child is learning how to build healthy relationships. Include the Home Letter from Harmony and modify it for your parents and community.
Every Day, Every Student
Harmony lessons should be incorporated into everyday activities. Creating classroom community and connections is important to focus on in the beginning weeks of school. Use the Harmony Everyday Practices to help drive your classroom routines and procedures. Include the language that the lessons incorporate to keep it consistent for all students. Remember, consistency is key and Harmony has the vocabulary that is imperative for healthy learning!
Z Makes a Difference!
The Z mascot is not just a stuffed animal. Z represents so much more! In addition to the Storybooks where Z shares his adventures, Z can be used as an object for “one person talking at a time.” Z represents all of the healthy learning competencies and allows students to relate the stories to real-life situations.
Jessica Martinez
5th Grade Teacher
El Cajon, California
My best educator tip for back to school: Take a look around and see your students for who they really are! Start here:
Plan and Prepare
You can never be too prepared. Decide what you want your kids to see when they walk in the room. What environment do you want to create? How do you see yourself teaching in your classroom? Is there flexible seating? Is there relationship building? Kids will see that you are focused on them and their success for the year. Curriculum will come as you assess students, but be sure to focus on creating a safe space in your class routines and environment. Add a bit of academics each week and you will be helping the whole child in your room.
Relationships, Relationships, Relationships!
If you haven’t heard it enough, the relationships you build with your students the first few weeks of school can continue well past the school year. Harmony is very useful in creating the class culture you want. As you work through the first section of activities and create your Class Harmony Goals, focus on students’ backgrounds, hopes, dreams, and how they like to learn and interact. You will be on your way to understanding the community you serve. Using Quick Connection Cards and Buddy Up resources will allow students to find a safe space to learn and grow. They won’t know everything right away, and neither will you. Be patient and take your time to build the relationship skills that will last a lifetime.
Share Your Success
We all hear about the teacher that “doesn’t smile before Thanksgiving.” Don’t be that teacher! Share your mistakes and your triumphs with your students, and help them share theirs with each other. Enjoy the amazing accomplishments that happen in the classroom with students. For example, you can cheer each other on in the Harmony morning circle. You can bring in some of the administration, too! Students like to hear that we are all one team. The shared goals and support makes them feel like their community will always be there for them.
Invite Parents
Please take the time to get to know your parents. They are your students’ first teachers. Bring them in! At Back-to-School Night, have a quick Harmony Circle and invite the parents to share their hopes and dreams for their kids. They want what is best for them! Parents are a partner in their education, so treat them as such.
Always Look Forward
Don’t forget to let the day go after events happen. If something goes wrong, learn from it and start again the next day. Keep coming in with a positive attitude and know your students count on you! Good luck this year and enjoy a job where you get to learn and grow every day!
Originally published 08/15/2024. Update on 07/08/2026