Mornings as a teacher are a special kind of hustle. While many people might think we just show up at school ready to teach, the truth is that there’s a whole routine that kicks off long before the first bell rings. Here’s a sneak peek into the organized chaos that is my morning routine as a teacher.
The alarm goes off at 6:00 AM sharp, and after a moment of contemplation, I’m up and moving. The first order of business is, of course, coffee. As I sip my first cup, I mentally go over the day’s schedule. What lessons need a final tweak? Are there any meetings or parent calls I need to remember? This quiet moment with my coffee is my time to focus and get in the right headspace for the day ahead.
Next, I get dressed in my carefully chosen “teacher outfit” for the day. Comfort is key, but so is looking professional. I’ve mastered the art of finding outfits that strike the perfect balance. After all, you never know when you might need to crawl under a desk to fix a projector or sprint across the playground during recess duty!
By 6:45 AM, it’s time for breakfast, which is usually something quick but filling. A smoothie or some oatmeal does the trick. While I eat, I quickly scan through my emails and messages, checking for any last-minute updates or changes. Multitasking becomes second nature when you’re a teacher, and breakfast is no exception.
At 7:15 AM, I’m out the door and heading to school. The drive is another chance to mentally prepare for the day. Sometimes I listen to podcasts or music to get energized, while other times I enjoy the silence and think through the lessons I’ll be teaching. By the time I arrive at school, I’m ready to hit the ground running.
Once I get to my classroom around 7:45 AM, the real work begins. I start by organizing my desk, making sure everything is in place for the first lesson. I check that all the materials I need are ready and that the classroom is set up just the way I like it. I also write the day’s agenda on the board, so my students know what to expect as soon as they walk in.
Finally, with just a few minutes to spare before the students arrive, I take a deep breath and do a final mental run-through of the day. The quiet before the storm is brief, but it’s my moment to center myself before the whirlwind begins.
By the time the students start filing in at 8:15 AM, I’m ready for whatever the day throws my way. From the outside, it might look like the day just started, but as any teacher knows, the morning routine is the foundation that sets the tone for a successful day in the classroom.
