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Yup, after nearly three decades in the classroom, there are things I look back on and think, “Wow, I’d do that so differently now!” So today, I thought I’d unpack the 5 biggest missteps from my early years—and how I’ve flipped them to genuinely connect, engage, and (hopefully) save you some hassle too.
If you’re feeling those August Scaries creeping up (seriously, that Sunday-night-before-Monday morning anxiety is real!), you’re not alone. Even after 28 years of teaching business, I still got those butterflies before a new school year. There’s this cocktail of excitement, hope, and yeah, a bit of nervousness. Some years are a dream, some are… well, lessons in themselves. But that feeling?
That means you care. So here’s what I wish I’d known sooner:
Can you believe young Denise thought her students already knew who she was? (Spoiler: They didn’t.) I used to think, “Let’s jump right into content, we’ve got so much to cover!” But sharing your story—who I am, what I love, the goofy things I do with my family—lets students see me as a ‘person’, not just a teacher. Now, I start every year with a silly four-slide collage, and let’s be honest: laughter is the absolute best icebreaker.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever scrambled to find a bell schedule or student roster on the first day. Yeah, me too. My solution? I have this red clipboard—my magic quick grab—that I load up with everything: rosters (with my notes about names and pronouns!), the bell schedule (I tape it to the back), and any need-to-know info (think: medical alerts from all those in-service meetings). It saves me SO much stress in the chaos of the first week, leaving me more present for my students.
A young Denise used to wing it. Big mistake! Now, every July, I scan the National Business Education Association (NBEA) standards and scribble out the “main focus” outline for each class. For a semester course, I pick 10 core topics; for a year, 20. And nope—these aren’t detailed daily plans, just the essential pillars that make everything else meaningful. Overstuffing the curriculum doesn’t work; students need to *remember the big ideas*, not get lost in a sea of scattered facts.
Picture this: every teacher your students see, rattling off their policies, rules, regulations, and consequences for 7 periods straight. Snooze fest, right? Now, I keep it light. I introduce just a couple of “musts” (like safety), but save the deep-dive for my “Workplace Expectations” activity. I want my classroom to feel like a real workspace, not a rulebook. Students quickly get the message that we’re about respect, communication, and real-world habits—and they get to help ‘teach’ those expectations to each other.
This is the big one. I used to think administrators wanted quiet, compliant classrooms from the first bell—but honestly, some of the best learning is messy and LOUD! Instead of diving into content, I spark curiosity with projects like “America Runs on Business,” and invite them to teach ‘me’ about new trends and favorite brands. Those first weeks are about building relationships and creating community. If students feel seen and valued, their minds open up to everything you have to offer.
So there it is—five big mistakes, and how I finally figured out better ways. If you’re already thinking ahead to the first day, take it from me: start with connection, not content. Lead with curiosity, not rules. And don’t be afraid to let students see the real you.
Here’s to a great new school year, full of energy, learning, and—most of all—heart. I’ll be here cheering you on!
To learn more, listen to Episode 11: 5 Mistakes I Have Made at the Beginning of the School Year. of my podcast ‘The Art of Teaching Business’. You can stream my podcast straight from my website. My podcast is also available on all the major stream platforms including Apple Podcast and Spotify.
