Are you ready to make a memorable first impression and create a positive atmosphere in your classroom? Introducing yourself to your students in a unique and engaging way can set the tone for the entire school year. We have gathered 35 creative ideas, including some from experienced teachers on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook, to help you start the new year off on the right note.
1. Do a Teacher Feature on school social media
Many schools use their social media accounts to introduce teachers, and this can be a great way to showcase your personality and expertise. Suggest the idea to your school and propose featuring a teacher each day in the weeks leading up to back-to-school time. Check out this example from @tstlongview on Instagram.
2. Have last year’s students introduce you
Let your current students take the lead in introducing you to the next year’s class. This not only allows for a fun learning activity, but it also gives you valuable feedback on how the previous year has gone. See how one teacher runs this lesson with her students.
3. Send postcards to introduce yourself
If you’re short on time, why not send postcards instead of a full letter? Personalize each postcard with a short note introducing yourself and expressing your excitement to have the students in your class. Consider including a fun picture or sharing a personal anecdote to make it more engaging. See how The Techie Teacher uses this idea here.
4. Show them a slideshow
Using a slideshow to introduce yourself is a popular method among teachers. You can make it even easier by using our free editable template. Grab it here and customize it to showcase your personality, interests, and teaching style.
5. Introduce yourself with a quiz
First-day quizzes are a fun and interactive way to get to know your students, and you can also use them to introduce yourself. Kahoot offers an easy-to-customize template specifically designed for getting to know your teacher. Consider doing a slideshow about yourself on the first day and following up with a quiz on the second day to see how much your students remember.
6. Share your talents
Instead of the usual bio introduction, why not start by sharing one of your unique talents with your students? Whether it's playing a musical instrument, baking cookies, or displaying artwork you've created, this personal touch will encourage your students to open up and share their own talents.
7. Plan a meet-the-teacher escape room
If you're up for a challenge, consider setting up an escape room to introduce yourself to your students. This exciting activity not only helps them get to know you but also allows them to explore the classroom. Check out this example from Mskcpotter.
8. Play 20 Questions
After giving a brief introduction, open the floor to your students' questions about yourself and the upcoming school year. This not only reveals their wishes and hopes for the year but also gives you insights into any concerns they may have. Remember to keep a "pass" option available if there are questions that you prefer not to answer.
9. Use a student-created brochure
Let your previous year's class help you introduce yourself to the incoming students by creating a brochure. Not only does this engage your current students, but it also provides valuable information for the new students. Consider giving a quiz based on the brochure to test their knowledge. Teacher Trap offers a great template for creating brochures.
10. Decorate a Bitmoji virtual classroom
Whether you're teaching in person or online, Bitmoji classrooms are a fantastic way to show off your personality. You can create a virtual classroom with clickable images that take students to different important links. Learn how to create your own here.
11. Read, run, and write
Get your students working collaboratively and focusing on their writing skills from day one. Create a list of facts about yourself, such as your background, family, and hobbies, and post several copies of the list in the front of the room. Divide your class into small teams and have them run up to the board, read and memorize as much as they can, and then relay the information to their teammates. The first group to correctly write down the full list wins.
12. Build a word cloud
Word clouds are a fun and creative way to introduce yourself. Use words that describe your background, hobbies, style, and more to create your own word cloud. Happy Hooligans provides instructions for creating word clouds, and you can also explore free word cloud generators for teachers.
13. Set up a question-and-answer match
This fun activity involves creating question and answer pairs about yourself on index cards. Students try to find a classmate who has the matching answer or question. Once they've found a match, the student with the question reads it, and the partner with the answer reads it to the rest of the class. For example, you could ask, "How many pets do I have? (One cat named Lenny)." This activity helps students learn interesting facts about you while encouraging teamwork and collaboration.
14. Pop an emoji bubble
Engage your students with this clever game using Google Slides. Students pick an emoji and "pop" the bubble to reveal a question. You can then answer the question to tell them a bit about yourself. This game is perfect for both virtual and traditional classrooms. Get the game from SSSTeaching on Teachers Pay Teachers.
15. Create a Fakebook profile
Instead of showing your real social media pages, create a "Fakebook" profile with interesting facts, photos, and other information about yourself. This allows you to share personal details that you're comfortable with kids knowing. You can use free online tools or even create a mock-up profile on paper.
16. Model a survey
Student questionnaires or surveys provide a great opportunity for your students to get to know you and for you to learn more about them. Include questions such as preferred pronouns, preferred feedback style, and other relevant information. The Inspiration Board offers a list of questions you can use as a guide.
17. Let students research your life
Introduce yourself to your students by sharing authentic primary documents from your life, such as letters, report cards, or class pictures. Black out any sensitive information and ask students to create a timeline based on the provided information. Encourage them to hypothesize about the missing gaps and draw conclusions about the kind of person they think you are.
18. Try a game of This and That
Put a twist on the classic "Two Truths and a Lie" game by playing "This and That." Make a statement about yourself, and students move forward or backward depending on whether they think the statement is true or false. The first student to reach you is the winner. Get more ideas from Rulin' the Roost.
19. Hold a scavenger hunt
Turn your introduction into an exciting scavenger hunt. Hide envelopes marked "TOP SECRET" containing primary documents around the room and give students magnifying glasses to read the fine print. This activity not only engages their curiosity but also teaches them valuable research skills. Check out the free printables from Moms & Munchkins to make it even more enjoyable.
20. Introduce yourself in a movie
Create a movie to introduce yourself to your students. This requires more effort, but it allows you to showcase your personality and can be used repeatedly in both regular and virtual classrooms. If your school has access to iMovie, utilize this platform to make an engaging introduction. Learn how to use iMovie here.
21. Introduce yourself on Flip
Utilize Flip (formerly Flipgrid), an interactive tool that allows teachers and students to record and share short videos. Record a Flip video to introduce yourself, and encourage your students to do the same. This is a fun and interactive way for everyone to get to know each other, whether you're teaching in person or online.
22. Let them do the math
Incorporate a little math review into your introduction by sharing facts about yourself in numerical form. Create math problems based on these facts, challenging your students to solve them. This activity works well across different grade levels and always brings a smile to the students' faces. Learn more from The Magnificent Fourth Grade Year.
23. Design a T-shirt
Share information about yourself by decorating the outline of a T-shirt with relevant details. Encourage your students to create their own personalized T-shirts as well. You can even wear the T-shirt yourself or display them in the classroom. This activity allows for self-expression and adds a colorful touch to the learning environment.
24. Draw a name map
Introduce yourself and teach the concept of mapping by creating a name map. Write your name in the middle and surround it with images or words that describe you. Your students can also create their own name maps, allowing everyone to share their unique personalities and interests. Find out more from TeachWithMe.com.
25. Put together a name tent
Create name tents with a photo of yourself and fun facts about you. Use these tents during the first week of class to help students learn your name and get to know you better. In an online setting, post the image during breaks or leave it on the corner of the screen. Spark Creativity offers more details on this activity.
26. Give them the scoop on you
Create a paper ice cream sundae with each scoop representing a fun fact about yourself. This adds a sweet touch to your introduction and guarantees a memorable first impression. You could even throw an ice cream sundae party to accompany the introduction. True Life I'm a Teacher provides a delightful example.
27. Let your star shine
Designate one student as the Star of the Week each week. At the beginning of the school year, you can take the opportunity to be the first star. Create a collage of your favorite things and display it in the classroom. This allows your students to get to know you while also giving them a chance to showcase their own interests throughout the year. Find inspiration from Amanda Hager on Pinterest.
28. Dress the part
Make a bold statement on the first day of school by dressing up as the best version of yourself. Whether it's wearing a themed T-shirt, unique accessories, or a costume related to your subject, this will show your students that you're enthusiastic about teaching. Consider going all out with these teacher dresses inspired by Ms. Frizzle.
29. Play Red Light, Green Light, getting-to-know-you style
Put a new twist on the classic game of Red Light, Green Light by personalizing it to get to know each other. You can make statements about yourself, and students take steps forward if they believe the statement is true. This game creates a fun and interactive environment for everyone. Learn more from Rulin' the Roost.
30. Write an autobiographical poem
Encourage your students to write autobiographical poems by providing them with a model poem about yourself. This allows them to express themselves creatively while learning more about you. Consider creating a collage around their poems using construction paper and images. See this project in action from Melulater.
31. Show them you're one part of the puzzle
Invite your students to create personalized puzzle pieces with pictures or facts about themselves. Collect all the pieces to create a vibrant mural for your classroom, symbolizing that everyone is an essential part of the learning community. This activity fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork. Find more details at Supply Me.
32. Assemble a picture collage
Use pictures to tell your students about yourself using visuals instead of words. Students can do the same, allowing everyone to share their interests and experiences. To add a creative touch, arrange the pictures in the shape of your silhouette. Learn how from Kix. This activity can also be adapted for online use with platforms like Padlet.
33. Map out a timeline of your life
Draw a timeline on the whiteboard and share facts about yourself at different points in your life. Invite students to come up and add those events to the timeline. Enhance the activity by incorporating photos from your life. This provides a visual representation of your journey and helps students connect with your experiences. Check out Surfin' Through Second for inspiration.
34. Craft a get-to-know-you cloudburst
Create a colorful craft that represents what's important to you. Students can make their own cloudbursts to share their interests and hobbies. This activity allows for self-expression and provides an opportunity for students to share their own passions. Credit goes to GuysTeachToo on Instagram for this creative idea.
35. Write a Mystery Box essay
Place three items that represent you in a bag and use them to teach the 5-paragraph essay format. Each item becomes one paragraph of your essay. Share your essay with the students, pulling out each item while reading that item's paragraph. Encourage students to write their own introductory essays using the same format. Welcome to Room 36 features an example of this activity.
These 35 unique ways to introduce yourself to your students offer a range of engaging, personal, and creative approaches. Choose the ones that align with your teaching style and enjoy making a meaningful first impression on your students. Remember, the key is to showcase your personality, build rapport, and create a positive learning environment from the start.
