What I wish I knew... by Meggan Hansen https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br As a first year virtual teacher en-us 2022-11-20 16:34:44 UTC 2025-08-13 21:45:34 UTC hello@padlet.com All the virtual extras! emmorris1 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542455292 My first year, I went in expecting to be engaging and computer-savvy. But in recent years I've found all the fun sites and virtual tools that make virtual teaching so much more than holding up a card on camera and hoping the kids can see it. Nearpod is my go-to.

]]> 2025-08-13 14:27:53 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542455292 You will never be fully "caught up", and that's okay. https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542455471 There will always be more to do--- more to plan, grade, fix, organize. The trick is learning when to stop, breathe, and let 'good enough' be truly enough.

]]> 2025-08-13 14:28:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542455471 tofischer1 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542455747 Positive- I was pleasantly surprised by how well I can get to know my students and their families!


Less than positive- I expected parents to be pretty involved, and they are... well... not as involved as I expected

]]> 2025-08-13 14:28:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542455747 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456171 Connecting with families and students is the most critical piece to success.

]]> 2025-08-13 14:28:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456171 Best job ever! https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456262 I wish I had known that you can still make great connections with students even in an online environment. I have seriously loved teaching online now for almost 8 years. Never going back to B&M!

]]> 2025-08-13 14:29:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456262 I wish I knew https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456283 I wish I knew that it was possible to have a close tight-knit class in an online setting. I was surprised at how the students were making connections with other students during our 1 hour live lesson. They loved sharing things about themselves in social time. I loved it!

]]> 2025-08-13 14:29:06 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456283 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456396 How many amazing online resources there are. You don't need to make it just like an in person class. There are tools that we can use to make it even better!

]]> 2025-08-13 14:29:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456396 I wish I knew rabennett https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456913 more keyboard shortcuts and time management when talking to learning coaches. I spent 30 mins + in most monthly meetings.

]]> 2025-08-13 14:29:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542456913 Make the connections with kids and families. They all have a story. Your job will be more fulfilling if you know their stories. Also, you will get to know students better than you think! antonkel https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542457405 2025-08-13 14:30:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542457405 I wish I knew https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542459479 There are so many things to learn. I thought I would know it all on day one, but I learned that virtual education is ever evolving and going with the flow is ok! Teaching online is a constant learning experience!

]]> 2025-08-13 14:32:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542459479 ngealta https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542460708 I wish I knew about Text Blaze! This amazing keyboard shortcut extension saves sooooo much time! If you're not using it, then you should start!



]]> 2025-08-13 14:34:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542460708 Make time to move https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542466032 Be very intentional about "allowing" yourself a morning and afternoon break as well as a Lunch break and find time to move during the day!! If you allow it.....your virtual job can be too sedentary and it will catch up w/ you .

]]> 2025-08-13 14:40:35 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542466032 Lean on your team https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542481526 The team at UCA is amazing and there are so many people to help and support. Even though you may be the only one teaching your exact subject, you're not alone and everyone is willing to help and work together.

]]> 2025-08-13 14:59:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542481526 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542486848 It truly is like being a first-year teacher all over again. When everyone tells you to "give yourself grace", BELIEVE THEM. It will get better!

]]> 2025-08-13 15:06:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542486848 To call staff tech support right away for passwords, they are faster than trying to figure it out yourself shwinzenread https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542497777 2025-08-13 15:20:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542497777 Doors Are Open! https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542498347 Even though we aren't physically together, people are always willing to help! IM is your best friend!

]]> 2025-08-13 15:21:16 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542498347 How easy and fun everyone is to work with. There is always someone you can reach out to for help and guidance https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542501857 2025-08-13 15:24:35 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542501857 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542520970 Start the year organizing everything in your bookmarks and google drive.

]]> 2025-08-13 15:49:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542520970 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542521933 That you're not going to know everything, or even anything, so it's okay to ask questions.

]]> 2025-08-13 15:50:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542521933 Walk Away! https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542522837 How hard it would be to ignore my "Job" when it was right in my house.

]]> 2025-08-13 15:51:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542522837 npark13 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542522840 One Note! Save and organize your notes in one place instead of using sticky notes everywhere. https://www.onenote.com/

]]> 2025-08-13 15:51:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542522840 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542523082 Everyone is so willing to help in the chat! We are all working towards the same goal and everyone is so willing to answer questions. Ask away :)


]]> 2025-08-13 15:51:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542523082 Give yourself grace https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542523778 Understand that it takes time to learn all there is to know about teaching online. Be okay with not knowing how to do everything - you will become a pro before you know it.

]]> 2025-08-13 15:52:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542523778 I wish I knew as a first year virtual teacher is that a lot of the learning coaches do not know how to use technology so you may need to spend time helping with that https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542524655 2025-08-13 15:53:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542524655 Two things I wish I knew: 1- It's you demanding perfectionism, not the team. Give yourself grace and know that there is time to learn and grow. 2- Learning the platform isn't everything; it's a lot to learn and feels so much at first, but there is more to it than just that. https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542547312 2025-08-13 16:25:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542547312 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542550484 What I wish I knew as a first year virtual teacher is that some days will feel discouraging. It's okay! It means that you are human and you care!

]]> 2025-08-13 16:29:36 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542550484 Try to set a schedule and stick to it mtiffany12 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542550812 Maintain that balance between "school" and home. You will never be fully caught up and it will be tempting to work longer hours - maintaining that balance will preserve your mental health and allow you to serve your STs and families better!

]]> 2025-08-13 16:30:01 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542550812 Not everything will be perfect liwhite8 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542564125 Not every lesson will be fabulous, and not every student interaction will go the way I think it will. But each is an opportunity to learn and grow as an educator.

]]> 2025-08-13 16:48:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542564125 ncarpenter25 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542564178 You'll get it eventually and don't sweat the small things. There will be so much information, just take it one day at a time.

]]> 2025-08-13 16:48:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542564178 tkelley54 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542564941 I wish I was better prepared/equipped to form relationships with my students in a virtual setting.

]]> 2025-08-13 16:49:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542564941 That everyone has different needs akistner3 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542565508 Everyone has different needs and it will not all work out. We need to continue to try other things.

]]> 2025-08-13 16:50:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542565508 Templates Are Your Friend amywalker15 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542565540 When you find yourself writing the same things over and over again to students (reminders, grading feedback, etc.) create templates that you can use over and over. It isn't cheating (work smarter, not harder). Use TextBlaze to easily access and apply your templates.

]]> 2025-08-13 16:50:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542565540 jkukorlo https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542589188 I wish I knew to try different styles of organization.  Stop trying to force specific routines if they don't work.  Allow yourself flexibility to try different routines and you'll eventually find the right one.  Don't be afraid to ask colleagues how they complete certain tasks.  There might be an easier way to do something!

]]> 2025-08-13 17:23:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542589188 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542589295 Be ok making mistakes and know that every year/semester it will be a fresh start and it will be a huge breath of fresh air!

]]> 2025-08-13 17:24:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542589295 BALANCE! https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542589503 Login at 8, out at 4, and take a 30 minute lunch. Working from home will mean that you are always at work if you let it, so don't let it!

]]> 2025-08-13 17:24:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542589503 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542589718 I wish I had known (and still wish to know) more about conversational strategies for talking with ST’s and CT’s beyond just school stuff.

]]> 2025-08-13 17:24:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542589718 Asking For Help Is Okay https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542590231 I wanted help on things and felt dumb to ask questions but my awesome team leader was always there to answer!

]]> 2025-08-13 17:25:36 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542590231 Classroom Culture is still important https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542591167 Creating a virtual classroom culture you want is just as important - if not MORE important than in-person. This is how you get kids to buy in to what you are teaching! ALSO - there are keyboard shortcuts for just about everything!!!


]]> 2025-08-13 17:27:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542591167 cpoulson https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542591914 I wish I'd known how I was going to have to switch my mindset from trying to get students to be quiet to trying to get students to talk.

]]> 2025-08-13 17:28:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542591914 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542593231 I wish I knew the verbiage to validate a ST or CT, so we can move on to the solution.

]]> 2025-08-13 17:30:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542593231 Try to set a schedule and stick to it mtiffany12 https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542746621 Maintain that balance between "school" and home - you will never be fully caught up and there will always be more to do. You will tempted to work longer hours - maintaining that balance helps to preserve your mental health so you can give your best self to your STs and families.

]]> 2025-08-13 21:45:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mhansen76/1h2eb9gyh2run5br/wish/3542746621