Going back to school is a nerve-wrecking time for everyone – including teachers! It is a brand new start; a chance to do things differently and establish a new routine.
We asked some of our followers what are their “Back to School” tips for teachers.
Here’s what they said:
1. Get to Know Your Students
Focus on getting to know your students. Enjoy meeting your new group and getting acquainted with them. By working as a group establishing classroom routines and expectations, as well as ‘Getting to Know You’ games, you can set your year off to a smooth start.
2. Plan Your Week in Advance
Schedule boring organisation stuff like lunches (what you will have, if it needs to be prepared in advance etc.) as well as allotting time for when you will sort out organisational tasks (and if you plan to stay later etc.)
3. Do Some Preparation
As Benjamin Franklin said “Fail to prepare; prepare to fail”. Try to have some of your ducks in a row before the students are back.
4. Relax
Enjoy it – this is what we trained for! It’s true – there is a special feeling on the first day and week of a new school year. Like a sense of anticipation of the year ahead. Relish it.
5. Be Kind
Have a welcoming word for newbies on staff – its not easy being a newbie!
Psst… to read another blog post on going back to school, check out these blog-posts HERE.
6. Find your Buddy!
Find your person in your staff that can be your sounding board / agony aunt / teaching & learning guru – and you to them!
7. Take it one thing at a time!
Don’t try to do everything at once – ease yourself back into it!
8. Intentions
Try and set good intentions in terms of how you spend your time – in the classroom and outside. Where focus goes, energy flows.
9. Staff Room Politics
Choose your staff room buddies with consideration.
10. Get it booked!
Have a trip booked for your next break!
So there you have it – we hope you found it useful – if you did, share it with your friends or anyone you think might benefit!
We have plenty other great blog posts full of tips and tricks so do check them out HERE too!
Good luck!
Every Child Belongs: 5 Practical Strategies
Classrooms today are rich in diversity—of culture, identity, experience, and perspective.
But creating a truly inclusive classroom goes beyond celebrating difference. It requires intentional choices, thoughtful conversations, and reflective practice.
10 Practical Ways to Build Calm, Inclusive Classrooms
If you’ve ever left school feeling exhausted from managing behaviour, you’re not alone. Many teachers are doing everything they were taught—rewards, consequences, firm boundaries—yet still feel stuck.
That’s where a relationship-first approach changes everything.
Group Bookings for Schools – EPV Summer Courses 2026
Schools across Ireland are choosing to organise group bookings for EPV Summer Courses so their teachers can learn together and bring new ideas back to the classroom.
New Online EPV Courses for Teachers 2026
Our EPV Special Offer!
Course groups fill up quickly as we have limited capacity.
Please book your place ASAP to avoid disappointment!
Report Finds Better Teacher Training and Inclusion Needed to Promote Well-Being in Irish Schools
A significant new study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) highlights the urgent need for improved teacher training and a stronger focus on inclusion, diversity and wellbeing to better support students across Ireland’s schools.
EPV Summer Courses 2026
Here is a brief update of our summer course plans for 2026.
We will have a few new courses to add to the collection so watch this space!