The First Week of School Teacher Checklist: What to Plan Before Students Arrive

I started my teaching career as an extended day instructor and a substitute teacher at an Elementary school. It was the Elementary school I attended. Eventually, I moved on to become an English Instructor at the local college. One thing I knew for certain, whether I was teaching kindergarteners their first letters or college students their first research paper, was that preparing the week before students arrived was crucial. I had to set up systems, clarify my goals, and walk into that first class feeling prepared. If I didn't prepare, I panicked.

This checklist is designed for educators at every level: K-12 teachers, college instructors, adjuncts, and anyone who steps into a classroom. Use it to make the most of your pre-semester prep time.

1. Map Out Your Monthly Lesson Plan

Before students arrive, sketch out your month-at-a-glance. You don't need every lesson perfectly scripted, but you do need a roadmap. Identify key units, major assignments, assessments, and any school events or holidays that will affect your schedule.

For K-12 teachers, align your monthly plan with your curriculum standards and district pacing guides. For college instructors, cross-reference your syllabus with the academic calendar so due dates don't land on registration days or breaks.

The BoldlyWrite Teacher Planner includes a Monthly Lesson Plan section designed to help you see the full picture at a glance — so nothing sneaks up on you mid-semester.

2. Set Up Your Weekly Planner

A monthly overview is the big picture; your weekly planner is where the real work happens. Before the first day, block out your recurring commitments: class times, office hours, meetings, prep periods, and any duties like hall monitoring or advising.

Then build your first week's daily schedule around those anchors. Having your week mapped out before students arrive means you're reacting less and leading more. College instructors: this is also a great time to draft your first-week discussion questions, or lecture outlines so you're not starting from scratch on Sunday night.

3  Define Your Personal Goals for the Year

This step often gets skipped; don't skip it. Before the busyness of the school year takes over, take 15 minutes to write down 2-3 personal goals for the year. These might be professional (try a new teaching strategy, improve student engagement scores) or personal (leave school by 5 pm twice a week, take a real lunch break).

Goals give you a north star when the semester gets hectic. The BoldlyWrite Teacher Planner includes a Personal Goals section with SMART Goal Mapping to help you set intentions that are specific, measurable, and actually achievable — not just wishful thinking.

4  Set Up Your Expense Tracker

Teachers at every level spend their own money on their classrooms, and most of it goes untracked. Before the school year starts, set up a simple system to log every purchase: supplies, printing costs, books, subscriptions, and professional development.

For K-12 teachers, this is especially important for tax deductions (the IRS allows educators to deduct up to $300 in unreimbursed classroom expenses). For college instructors, track expenses related to course development or research that may be reimbursable through your department.

The BoldlyWrite Teacher Planner includes an Expense Tracker so you can log purchases as they happen.

5  Prepare Your Classroom or Course Environment

I have been in classrooms where the whiteboard markers were gone or dry. Also, sometimes my students did not have materials (books, pens, paper). So, I learned to carry supplies like whiteboard markers and notebook paper in my bag. 

My suggestion for K-12 teachers is to walk around your classroom to ensure supplies are stocked, seating is intentionally arranged, and your first-day materials are ready. Put your name and the class schedule somewhere visible.

If you're a college instructor, you should review your course management system (Canvas, Blackboard, etc.), make sure your syllabus is posted, and send a welcome email to students before the first class. First impressions matter at every level. 

6  Review Your Roster and Note Key Details

It's hard to remember all the names on the first day of class. So I liked to review the roster to familiarize myself with the names before classes began. 

Reviewing your roster before day one helps you get familiar with student names and flag important details.  K-12 teachers, flag any IEPs, 504 plans, allergies, or accommodations you need to be aware of.  College instructors, note any students who have already contacted the disability services office about accommodations.

Knowing your students before they walk in the door helps you lead with intention rather than scrambling to catch up.

7  Plan Your First-Day Agenda

I slept much better the night before class, knowing that my lesson plans were complete and I had my agenda planned for the next day. 

My suggestion is to write out your first-day plan in detail. What will you do in the first 5 minutes? How will you introduce yourself? What do you want students to know, feel, and do by the end of class?

For K-12: establish routines and expectations clearly and warmly  For college: go over the syllabus, but don't just read it. Highlight what excites you about the course your energy sets the tone.

Final Thoughts

The first week of school is less about perfection and more about preparation. When you've mapped your month, structured your week, set your goals, and organized your expenses before students arrive, you walk in with confidence — and that confidence is contagious.

The BoldlyWrite Teacher Planner was designed with all of this in mind  From Monthly Lesson Plans and Weekly Planners to Personal Goals and an Expense Tracker, it's the one tool that keeps your whole year organized  Check it out here. Questions? Reach out at support@karinacadora.com.