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For those newest to the teaching profession, Twitter has become a survival guide. 

With the back to school honeymoon now officially over, seasoned educators have taken to the social media platform to share their best classroom tips with hashtags like #teachertwitter, #badteacheradvice, and threads from newbie teachers looking for a little direction.

“It’s that time of year,” one teacher, @heymrsbond posted. “The honeymoon has worn off…pace yourself. Celebrate the wins loudly.”

New teachers: It’s that time of year. We’re all tired and the honeymoon period has worn off. Now, you just gotta teach every day til you don’t. Pace yourself. Celebrate the wins loudly. Take a break. Give your students a break. The school year is not a sprint. 💛

Between pleas to ignore the now infamous advice “Don’t smile until Christmas” was a reminder not to sweat the small stuff. 

“Sometimes it’s best to let the small things go,” tweeted Anne-Marie Longpre, a teacher from Toronto. 

What if a student comes to class unprepared every day, continually dipping into a dwindling classroom supply of yellow Ticonderoga pencils? Should the teacher reprimand the student?

“Just give him the bloody pencil,” Tweeted Ms. Chris Robinson, a teacher from Northern England. 

 Showing students their teacher is human was strongly recommended.

 “Let your kids see you mess up,” offered Señora Campbell, a Spanish teacher in Texas.

Whether they’re new to the classroom and wondering how coworkers manage being on their feet all day, when the best time to eat lunch is, or they’re just looking for a boost in morale, here’s what Teacher Twitter recommends to new educators:

Find a mentor. That person doesn’t have to be at your school or teach your grade, but should be at your level–elem, middle, or high. Spend an hour or so over a beverage & just talk about being a teacher: joys, fears, & maybe some practical tips. Know you someone for support.

As a first year teacher, one of the worst pieces of teaching advice I was given was “Don’t smile until Christmas.” You can be kind, loving, patient, AND have high expectations for good behavior! #badteacheradvice

My mentor teacher told me the infamous “don’t smile until Christmas” line my first teaching. I was miserable. I didn’t like teaching until I could be my whole self doing it #808Educate

What advice would I tell my “New Teacher” self? Let the students play with manipulatives before starting the actual lesson. pic.twitter.com/1yX3YOT1vW

Check your expectations. Meaning- Don't give yourself expectations that are not realistic. Use your mentor, have fun with your kids, and leave work at the door. These are all things I wish I had done my 1st year. #teachertwitter

Students won't remember what they did every day in kindergarten, but they will remember how they were treated. Stop focusing on the perfect lesson and focus on loving each student for who they are.

As colleagues think about planning lessons please consider planning them for the child you have in front of you – they may need your professional love first before they can learn. My advice, if in doubt, as I once said to an experienced teacher “just give him the bloody pencil”. pic.twitter.com/7R61l4APpS

Advice to new teachers from a retired, veteran teacher: Don't worry about how comfortable your desk chair is–worry about your shoes. You will seldom sit in your chair, but you will be on your feet all day long! pic.twitter.com/2Fyv3dltnQ

An excellent tip for teachers… always have an emergency box/bag/drawer etc. There will be at least once you forget lunch, at least once you are working late and need a wee sugar pick me up… I usually keep a spare top/outfit in case I spill lunch before parents night too! https://t.co/lfMc2tPVH9

Excellent advice for new teachers! Sometimes we feel like we need to react to everything in the classroom but sometimes it’s best to let the small things go. https://t.co/uD6ObozCqY

Try your hardest not to work through lunch. Spending time with other adults or just having a break of quiet in your own room should be protected for the sake of your sanity.

I think one of the best pieces of pedagogical advice I can give to new teachers is this: build into your classes opportunities for students to surprise you. Make space for them to be creative, take risks, laugh, mess up and try again. Because they will, and it will be wonderful.

Advice for new teachers? I’m still counted as new in year 4 but this is what has helped the most. Befriend your secretaries, janitors, & food workers. They RUN THE SCHOOL! They know the ins & outs! They are your resources!

Let your kids see you mess up… If you make a mistake, call yourself out lightheartedly.. They need to see that you’re human too, and it makes them more willing to take risks and try new things because they know it’s okay to make a mistake.

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Meghan Gallagher is a producer at The 74.

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