Vault: Veteran Teachers Give Rookie Teachers Advice

Summary

The Bert Show
Episode: Vault: Veteran Teachers Give Rookie Teachers Advice
Release Date: February 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show is dedicated to helping rookie teachers as they step into their first classrooms. With the new school year underway, the hosts open the lines for veteran teachers to share hard-earned advice, funny memories, and practical strategies for surviving and thriving during those all-important first days and weeks. The tone is candid, supportive, occasionally irreverent, and peppered with real classroom wisdom.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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The Importance of the First Week

[02:00 - 04:24]

• First Week Sets the Tone:
  • Host Birch emphasizes, "This first week is critical right here... you got to take control of that class somehow, some way." (02:24)
• Hosts invite veteran teachers (three or more years of experience) to call in with advice for first-year teachers, noting even second-year teachers are still figuring things out.

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Advice from Veteran Teachers

1. Lean on Experienced Colleagues

• Caller: Kindergarten Teacher, 8 Years Experience

  • “Don't be afraid to admit that you need help and really rely on those teachers that have been there longer… we were there once too, and it’s really scary and really tough. So I would just say, really use the resources you have at your school.” (04:46)

• Hosts agree, reminding new teachers: Other staff want to help and won’t look down on you for asking questions.

• Notable Analogy

  • Co-host compares it to “A-list celebrities”—the seasoned teachers are "the most cordial and down to earth. It's almost like the cream rises to the top... So I guess what you're saying is the same with the teachers. Don't go in there thinking I already know everything because I'm a first year teacher.” (05:31 - 06:13)

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2. Set Boundaries & Standards Immediately

• Caller 2:
  • “Set your standards. In the beginning of the year, the first day. Don’t go in there trying to be anyone’s friend because kids can sniff out a weakling in a New York second... I tell my students, day one, look, I’m not your friend. I don't do friends. Children. I'm too old for that.” (06:31)
• Birch underlines: “Don’t fake it with the teachers, but fake it with your students.” (07:22)
• The group agrees, “Set your boundaries right off the bat.” (07:33)
  • Co-host: “That's why they're like dogs. They can sniff out fear.” (07:46)

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3. Be Consistent and Firm

• Caller: Dana (Teacher, 4 Years Experience)

  • “You have to be consistent from day one with your rules. Because a lot of teachers don’t want to get on to anybody on the first day of school. But if you say on day one, if you talk while I'm talking, you're going to get in trouble. And you do it from day one, they're going to follow the rules the whole year.” (08:13)

• Birch reinforces: “You sort of got to be a badass that very first day, right?” (08:32)

• Caller admits being perceived as "too nice" can undermine authority, especially for younger teachers, sharing a personal story of struggling with discipline in early years.

• Effective Consequences

  • For talking out of turn: “If you say, ‘Go to timeout,’ they’re so shocked by it on the first day… it really works. It shocks them so they realize, okay, this lady means business.” (08:57)

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4. Don’t Forget to Laugh & Lighten Up

• Caller: Rachel, 15 Years Teaching
  • “Laugh… it's okay… It's just school. Especially if you teach elementary school… You have to lighten up a little that you're at work. And honestly, they're at work too. And you just gotta make the best of the day.” (09:35 - 10:00)

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5. Resource Recommendation

• Caller: Tanya, Teacher (4 Years Experience)
  • “Read the book ‘The First Days of School’ by Harry Wong. It gives all the same advice we’re given, plus more specific.”
    (10:05)
• Describes it as concise and very readable in just a couple days.

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6. Empathy and Understanding

• Host Birch observes: “The students are as insecure as you are on that first day… but you're an adult. You should be able to handle it better than they do.” (10:27)
• Co-host: “They want you to lead the way... They need a pack leader.” (10:38)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Birch, on asserting classroom control:

  • "Those kids are wily, man. I mean, it's like Darwinism. The strongest will survive for sure." (02:52)

• Caller, on new teacher anxiety:

  • "Don't be afraid to admit that you need help and really rely on those teachers that have been there longer." (04:46)

• Co-host, on fostering authority:

  • "Set your boundaries right off the bat." (07:33)

• Veteran teacher realism:

  • "Don't go in there trying to be anyone's friend because kids can sniff out a weakling in a New York second." (06:31)

• Advice about being strict:

  • “You have to be consistent from day one with your rules…” (08:13)
  • "Lay the hammer down." (09:15)

• Comic Relief & Memories:

  • Birch, on school lunch nostalgia: “For me it was always waiting for pizza day, man. For whatever reason. And looking back at it, that's the worst pizza I ever had in my life.” (11:14)
  • Co-host, on the sensory memory of school: “I always think of those pencil shaving smell. You know, the pencil sharpener on the wall.” (11:06)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:00–04:24: Setting the first-week tone, opening up the phone lines for advice
• 04:25–05:25: First caller — don’t be afraid to ask for help
• 06:29–07:46: Setting standards with students, “not your friend” approach
• 08:11–08:57: Consistency and establishing discipline from day one
• 09:28–10:00: Injecting humor, keeping perspective
• 10:05–10:39: Book recommendation: “The First Days of School” by Harry Wong
• 10:43–11:14: School nostalgia, lighter side to teaching

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Episode Takeaways

• Lean on veteran teachers for support, resources, and advice. Don't be afraid to admit what you don’t know.
• Set clear rules and boundaries from day one. Don’t aim to be friends with your students; be consistent and firm.
• Confidence beats insecurity—even if you have to “fake it” in front of students.
• Consistency is key for discipline—make consequences immediate and predictable.
• Lighten up and laugh when needed; don’t let the stress overwhelm you.
• Recommended reading: “The First Days of School” by Harry Wong for practical guidance.
• Remember students are nervous too and look to the teacher for leadership.

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This episode offers heartfelt, sometimes blunt, and always practical advice—often with humor—about the realities of managing a classroom, supporting new teachers, and maintaining perspective in a demanding but rewarding profession.

Transcript

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[Host (Birch)]

The Birch show we got a lot of emails over the last couple of weeks from these are first time teachers now. So this has got to be a little sketchy time.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

It's got to be exciting at the same time. But they just aren't really sure how to set the tone for the classroom or what to expect or maybe you know, how to interact with the administrators, whatever, because it's their first year so they've got to deal with the kids, the parents, and the administrators, and they don't know how to do any of it.

[Host (Birch)]

And this first week is critical right here. We talked to a couple of teachers, and even it was Annie yesterday that said, you know, that first day, that first impression, that's really important stuff right there. So let's just expand it and say the first week is really important. Like, you got to take control of that class somehow, some way. So I'd love for the veteran teachers to give us a call right now and give the rookie teachers some advice before they go into the classroom today.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

What would you consider veteran?

[Host (Birch)]

I think anything over, what, three years, you think?

[Co-host 2]

I was gonna say three or five years.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

Yeah. Okay.

[Host (Birch)]

Because the second year teachers, while they have more experience, obviously in the first, are still trying to feel their way around, also made some mistakes last year. They're still learning about. So I think three years on is probably what we're looking for. Right? Those kids are wily, man. I mean, it's. It's like Darwinism. The strongest will survive for sure. That's true.

[Co-host 2]

The weakest will die off in your classroom.

[Host (Birch)]

If you're not a strong teacher, man, those first couple of days, they will start to take advantage of you, and you will evolve.

[Co-host 2]

And then if you're calling up, if you're a veteran teacher, I mean, maybe some, like, specific examples, like depending on what grade you teach is how you can get your classroom disciplined or whatever. But I'm curious, you know, because one thing, say, come in and get discipline and teach your kids discipline. But how did you do it? Like, specifically, what exactly did you do or what trick did you do to get your kids to pay attention?

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

I would imagine you have to make an example out of what one kid.

[Host (Birch)]

I was just gonna say the same thing. My buddy John has been teaching now for probably 15 years out in California, and he said one of the most critical times for him every year is when the bad kid, quote, unquote, you know, the undisciplined kid. I shouldn't say bad. The undisciplined kid.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

You mean the ADHD kid.

[Host (Birch)]

Right? The one that his parents are already thinking, we got to get him on Ritalin.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

Right.

[Host (Birch)]

The first time he makes a move and disrupts the class is the most important because you got to lay the hammer down on him and let everybody else know, like, this is your future if you get out of line. So that's probably the advice he'd give to you guys today. Good morning, Beth. You're on Q100.

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

Good morning.

[Host (Birch)]

Good morning.

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

How are you guys?

[Host (Birch)]

Good. How are you today? Where do you teach?

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

I teach in Cobb county and I teach kindergarten.

[Co-host 2]

Okay, very nice.

[Host (Birch)]

And you have been teaching for how long?

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Eight years.

[Host (Birch)]

Eight years. All right. If you're going to give one piece of advice to a new teacher starting out this week, what would it be?

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

I would say, I think when I first started, I was really scared to admit that I didn't know everything about what I was doing. And I think I wanted all the other teachers that were older and knew more about things to know just to think that I was doing a great job and I knew exactly what I was doing. And I would say to any teacher, just don't be afraid to admit that you need help and really rely on those teachers that have been there longer because they want to help. Most of them do. And most of them really want to be there for those new people because we were there once too, and it's really scary and it's really tough. So I would just say really use the resources you have at your school

[Host (Birch)]

so the other teachers won't look down on you, down upon you. Just feel free to go ahead and ask questions.

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

Absolutely.

[Host (Birch)]

Great.

[Co-host 2]

Okay.

[Host (Birch)]

Thank you. What have we said before about celebrities that walk into the studio?

[Co-host 2]

Yes.

[Host (Birch)]

You know, it's the same. It's the same principle here.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah. If you. The ones with the biggest attitude and the biggest ego is usually the ones that feel like they've got something to prove, which is like not the most popular ones, like the bands, for instance, local bands. A lot of times in my experience have been the ones that I have least enjoyed because sometimes they'll walk in and they feel like they gotta have the inflated egos and the inflated. Because they gotta show like, I, I'm already a superstar. But the A list celebrities that are veterans are the most cordial and down to earth. And it's almost like the cream rises to the top. They're the ones that everybody wants to work with and that's why they are where they are. So I guess what you're saying is the same with the teachers. Don't go in there thinking I already know everything because I'm a first year teacher.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

I gotcha.

[Co-host 2]

When you might offend. I think veteran teachers that have been there for a long time and it's

[Host (Birch)]

all based on insecurity, you're gonna walk around there because you're a rookie teacher and you have this attitude and the other teachers are looking like you don't even know yet. You Just don't know.

[Co-host 2]

Right? You're so green.

[Host (Birch)]

Latifah, good morning. You're on Q100.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Good morning.

[Caller 3 (Experienced Teacher)]

How are you?

[Host (Birch)]

Good. How are you?

[Caller 3 (Experienced Teacher)]

Good. My advice to a first year teacher is, first of all, don't sweat the small stuff. Teaching is one of those type of jobs that you learn something new every year. I would also agree with the last caller. Use your resources around you and set your standards. In the beginning of the year, the first day, don't go in there trying to be anyone's friend because kids can sniff out a weakling in a New York second. They don't, they don't see that you're scared and you don't know what you're doing the minute you walk in the door. If you come in there with no confidence or you come in there trying to be somebody's friend. Mm, mm. I tell my students, day one, look, I'm not your friend. I don't do friends. Children. I'm too old for that. So, yeah, definitely set your standards, day one, Let them know you're not one to be played with and go in there and do your job and use your resources.

[Host (Birch)]

Okay, so here's what I'm hearing when it comes to attitude that don't fake it with the teachers, but fake it with your students.

[Co-host 2]

Fake ground rules with your students.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

You know, just don't let them push you around. Set your boundaries right off the bat.

[Host (Birch)]

She said that they will take advantage if you're feeling insecure or they can see that lack of confidence. So lie during your class, just not to the other teachers.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

Well, that's why they're like dogs. They can sniff out fear.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah. Because, I mean, we always took advantage of substitute teachers for that very reason. They didn't belong there. They weren't, you know, they didn't discipline you too badly. They're just filling in. So of course you, you behaved worse that way. And I think with teachers, same way if you come in and you're the young teacher and you're smiling and friendly and sweet, all this will be easy.

[Host (Birch)]

Hey, Dana, you're on Q100.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Hey, good morning.

[Host (Birch)]

Good morning.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

I was just going to call in. I had two things to say. Number one, you have to be consistent from day one with your rules because a lot of teachers don't want to get on to anybody on the first day of school. But if you say on day one, if you talk while I'm talking, you're going to get in trouble. And you do it from day one, they're going to follow the rules the whole year.

[Host (Birch)]

All right, so consistency and just be. I mean, you sort of got to be a badass that very first day, right?

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Yeah, definitely. I look very young. My first year of teaching was a nightmare because I tried, you know, I didn't want to get anybody in trouble, so I had to be, like you said, a badass and just, you know, be really strict.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

What is a good punishment for if a kid's talking while you're talking?

[Host (Birch)]

Take off a finger.

[Co-host 2]

First day, pick a switch.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

I mean, it hurts their feelings kind of on the first day because they think you're going to be really nice if you say, all right, go to timeout. They're so shocked by it that you would do it on the first day of school that it really works. You know what I mean? It shocks them so they realize, okay, this lady means business.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

Okay, so no warning. Just on the first time they talk.

[Host (Birch)]

That's it, man. Lay the hammer down. All right, that discipline.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

I think I would. I would try to be nice. I would be like, if you talk one more time, then you can. You know what I mean it.

[Host (Birch)]

Eat you up. Eat you up. Rachel has been teaching for 15 years. Hey, Rachel.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Hey. Morning.

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

How are you guys?

[Host (Birch)]

Good morning. All right, advice for first time teachers.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Well, they've taken a lot of good ones already, but, you know, laugh.

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

It's okay.

[Caller 3 (Experienced Teacher)]

It's just school.

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

Especially if you teach elementary school.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Come on, it's just school.

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

Laugh at some stuff.

[Host (Birch)]

It's just education.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Yeah. You know, I mean, you just have

[Caller 1 (Kindergarten Teacher)]

to lighten up a little that you're at work. And honestly, they're at work too. And you just gotta make the best of the day. It's a long day and I teach second graders, so they're seven years old.

[Caller 3 (Experienced Teacher)]

Lighten up.

[Co-host 2]

Okay.

[Host (Birch)]

Good morning, Tanya. You're on Q100.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

Yes, I was calling. I've been a teacher for four years and I was gonna say to read the book the first days of school by Harry Wong. And it gives all the same advice that we're given, plus more specific.

[Host (Birch)]

Okay, so is that a big old book or is that just like a couple of page type deal or. You're gonna spend some time on that.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

It's not real thick. You could probably read it within a couple of days.

[Host (Birch)]

Okay. The thing I think you gotta remember is that the students are as insecure as you are on that first day.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

Oh, that's true.

[Host (Birch)]

Yeah, they are totally insecure. You know, but you're an adult. You should be able to handle it better than they do.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

They want you to lead the way.

[Host (Birch)]

They do, they do.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

Again, back to that dog mentality. They need a pack leader.

[Co-host 2]

You know what's weird? And speaking of dogs like Pavlov dog, because every time we talk, when you talk about second grade in elementary school, I imagine the smell of milk in the cafeteria. I don't know if you all have the certain ideas or memories of school, but I just remember our big. We had these big wooden doors that you had to push open to get in the cafeteria. And there was a waft of air conditioning and milk. Gross, milky air conditioning.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

I always think of those pencil shaving smell. You know, the pencil sharpener on the wall. You could sort of smell the wood and the lead.

[Host (Birch)]

Yep.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

Yeah.

[Host (Birch)]

For me it was always like always waiting for pizza day, man. For whatever reason. And looking back at it, that's the worst pizza I ever had in my life.

[Co-host 2]

I think that was plastic on the top of it, but it did. It pulled off the cheese.

[Co-host 1 (possibly Dana)]

Pizza day rocks. Square pizza. Where can he find something square pizza?

[The RealReal Advertiser]

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[Host (Birch)]

It's terrible though, man. It was all. It was this thick a dough and it barely had any sauce on it at all.

[Caller 2 (Experienced Teacher)]

So good.

[Host (Birch)]

Nasty pizza, dude. The Bircho.