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This August, many fresh college graduates are stepping into their classrooms for the first time. They knew what they were signing up for when they decided to be a teacher—but did they, really? While education is still a career many choose to pursue, just as many are dropping out of teaching, creating a nationwide teacher shortage.
Will these new teachers just become another statistic?
Meet Miss Jenna MacNulty, a first-year teacher in a bustling third-grade classroom. This year, she’s putting all her education and training into practice, and it’s not easy.
This is Year One, a podcast from Carnegie Learning that dives into one teacher’s exhilarating, challenging, and eye-opening journey of teaching for the first time.
Jenna has never envisioned herself being anything else other than a teacher. But will her passion for education shine through despite the trials she faces? Will Jenna return to teach for a second year?
We’re here to capture every moment and find out.
Janet Irwin [00:00:04]:
Hey, Year One listeners, I really hope you enjoyed following Jenna's journey over the course of her first year in the classroom. My name is Janet Irwin and I'm the Vice President of Marketing at Carnegie Learning and a producer of the Year One podcast. I'm here to bring you a special bonus episode where my colleague, Chief Services Officer Kasey Bratcher and I had the opportunity to sit down with Jenna to reflect on her first year teaching. We interviewed her at our annual professional learning event, The National Institute, or as we like to call it, TNI. Jenna attended TNI in Miami Beach with hundreds of other educators for an unforgettable experience of collaboration, inspiration, and hands on professional learning to set her up for success ahead of her second year in the classroom. With that, here's our conversation with Jenna at TNI where she gets raw about her first year, the podcast, and more. Well, let's just start by getting to know you a little bit. Why did you want to become a teacher?
Jenna MacNulty [00:01:03]:
So for those of you that don't know, I'm Jenna. I just finished up my first year of teaching. I taught third grade. I'm from Indiana. And I wanted to be a teacher for a lot of different reasons. I was one of those kids that like, grew up always knowing, always knowing that I wanted to be a teacher. My mom was a teacher growing up. She taught third grade.
Jenna MacNulty [00:01:21]:
And then as I was growing up, she also taught preschool for 16 years. I could never. Props to her, but yeah, I really, I wanted to be like her. And then also school was just kind of like the safe place for me growing up. I loved being there and I loved helping my teachers that I had growing up. So, yeah, I just really wanted to be that role model that, like, adult that shows up for those kids every single day no matter what happens outside of the school walls.
Janet Irwin [00:01:47]:
And the dream came true. Right? You got your teaching job last year, so why did you want to share your story with everyone your first year?
Jenna MacNulty [00:01:56]:
So I wanted to share my story with everyone partially, kind of, kind of selfishly. I wanted to document it myself so I could go back and, you know, remember all the funny stories and the ups and downs. But also I feel like in this day and age, it is a lot of teaching kind of has this, like, facade around it. I wanted to break that facade of like, it's not all just cute little Pinterest boards and like, lesson plans you find on TikTok. It's not all that. There's definitely, like, hard work and rigor that happens behind those closed walls. So as a first year, I just kind of wanted to break that down for everyone and show the. The reality of it, I guess share that with everyone.
Janet Irwin [00:02:34]:
So what are some of the key lessons that you learned from your first year?
Jenna MacNulty [00:02:38]:
This podcast has honestly really helped me realize that it is so important for teachers to constantly be reflecting on their every day. Because we as educators don't learn or grow unless we are reflecting on what went well in the classroom and what didn't go well in the classroom. So that was really something that I was very grateful for this year, building that reflection time in. So, yeah, that's probably the biggest thing that I've learned about myself as an educator through doing this podcast and really taking the time to just sit back and revisit all of the crazy stories and the ups and downs of everything. Because the first year is chaos. You all know that you've been through the first year.
Kasey Bratcher [00:03:18]:
Every year's a little chaos.
Janet Irwin [00:03:19]:
Yeah, was it chaos the first year?
Jenna MacNulty [00:03:21]:
Yeah. So figure, just figuring out, just figuring it out as I went on.
Kasey Bratcher [00:03:27]:
Yeah, it sounds like you have. The podcast has given you this, like, extra ability to stop, pause, reflect, and think about, like, what happened today. Why was that chaos? Or why was that?
Jenna MacNulty [00:03:39]:
Yeah, and honestly, it helped me learn more about my students because, like, as I was reflecting on myself, I was like, finding things, like finding patterns with students or finding patterns in routines. Like, I found myself talking about the same things that were frustrating throughout my school day or, like, the same types of things I was like, oh, that went really well in my classroom today or this week. So I not only was, like, reflecting on myself, but it really helped me understand my students more because, like, in elementary, you're with the same 20 something students all day, every day. So you know them like the back of your hand.
Kasey Bratcher [00:04:11]:
So, yeah, yeah, TNI is a place where we, we're so glad to have you, but it's also a place where we want you to continue to have those sort of reflection moments outside of the normal school day as well. And we know professional learning is a huge role, and teachers never get enough of really great professional learning, which is what we're trying to do. I'm wondering, what role has professional development played in your journey so far in year one as a first-year teacher?
Jenna MacNulty [00:04:37]:
Like, the professional development that my school provided obviously taught me a lot of things. Um, but also it provided reassurance for me as a first-year teacher. Like, we would have these PD sessions going over something, no matter what it was, and I could sit and listen and reflect on that and be like, oh, I'm doing that. Right. I'm doing what she just told me that I should be doing. I'm doing the right thing. Yeah. Like, I'm good.
Jenna MacNulty [00:05:02]:
I'm on the right track. Or they would be describing something or showing us a different way, and I'd be like, oh, so that's how you wanted me to do that? Or like, oh, I can totally make that switch.
Kasey Bratcher [00:05:12]:
Yeah.
Jenna MacNulty [00:05:13]:
Um, so it not only taught me a lot, but it also, like, helped reassured me as a first-year teacher. Cause you're locked in the classroom with your students all day, unless you're getting observed, you really get no feedback from someone who's on the same level as you. Um, so that's really the. The only opportunity that I got to have that feedback.
Kasey Bratcher [00:05:30]:
That's awesome. I love that you. I love that you spun professional learning as an also an opportunity to affirm that what you are doing is what is best for kids too. It isn't just about you're doing it wrong. You need to learn new things. You're not good enough. It's about reflecting an affirmation and all that. That's awesome. Wondering.
Kasey Bratcher [00:05:49]:
You've been at TNI for a day, and a half, two days, I guess, almost.
Jenna MacNulty [00:05:53]:
Yeah.
Kasey Bratcher [00:05:53]:
Running up on that. How has that experience been? What are you learning here?
Jenna MacNulty [00:05:58]:
It's been a blast so far. Like I said, this is my first, like, professional development outside of my own school system. So my favorite part about it so far is being able to, like, pick the different breakout sessions. Because when you're like, you know, at your school that you work at, you don't really get that choice. It's just, oh, you're coming to this meeting, you're learning this specific topic. But really, like, curating my own experience here has been one of my favorite things. And seeing familiar faces in the meantime, like, I can already pick out some people that I'm like, oh, I've been to this one with them. Oh, I was just at this one with them and now I'm at another one.
Kasey Bratcher [00:06:29]:
So you made friends too?
Jenna MacNulty [00:06:31]:
Yes. Shout out Table 39.
Kasey Bratcher [00:06:33]:
Table 39 back there. Dennis Prince. I love it. How do you. How do you feel? Like, is there some, is there something concrete that you will? That you already are like, oh, I'm totally going to do that differently now next year that you learned at TNI or anything, like, any concrete takeaway that you know, oh, this is. This is for sure going to be.
Jenna MacNulty [00:06:50]:
Yeah. I think one of the biggest things that's stuck with me so far. And maybe it's just because it was, like, made a big deal that first day on our very first welcome in. But just making sure the students can, like, see it before they're supposed to understand it. That's kind of been a theme throughout every single one of my breakout sessions so far. Um, obviously I'm elementary area right now, so a lot of my sessions have been more of, like, how to engage the elementary students. And, like, I went to the Fractions Fiesta, one where we did a lot of manipulatives and stuff like that. So that's really been, like, the arc throughout my journey so far is like, no, we got it.
Jenna MacNulty [00:07:27]:
We have to lay it out for the students before we set those expectations for them.
Kasey Bratcher [00:07:31]:
I love it.
Janet Irwin [00:07:32]:
I keep hearing about the Fractions Fiesta.
Jenna MacNulty [00:07:34]:
Oh, it was so fun.
Janet Irwin [00:07:35]:
Really good one.
Kasey Bratcher [00:07:36]:
And it sounds like it's connecting to all of Amy's doing the math stuff, which is all about making things visible. For helping kids, making things visible for them, too. Cool. You mentioned friends. How's. How's your experience been connecting with other people outside of your, are you the only person here from your school district?
Kasey Bratcher [00:07:52]:
So you are, as we like to call a TNI single. Any other TNI singles out there? You're the only one here from your district. Oh, there's waving around. All right. Yeah. So how does that feel? That can be scary, I imagine. And.
Jenna MacNulty [00:08:07]:
Yeah.
Kasey Bratcher [00:08:07]:
What's been the, what's it, what's been the experience? Like. Like getting to know other folks and making. Making, you know, new colleagues, I guess.
Jenna MacNulty [00:08:14]:
Yeah. Honestly, it was a little scary at first being like, I'm walking into this big building. I don't know anybody. I'm probably the youngest one here. I'm going to get up on stage and pretend like I know what I'm talking about when everyone else has been teaching for so much longer than I have. So I was intimidated at first. But, like, as I said before, like, seeing those familiar faces throughout the conference helps a lot. And also something that I've realized as the days have gone on is that, like, we're all educators. We're all here for the same purpose.
Jenna MacNulty [00:08:43]:
And it's crazy to think that, like, we all come from our own backgrounds and our own schools, but we all have, like, shared experiences. We have. So, yeah, we have so much in common. We're all connecting on so many different levels. Even though I'm talking from my third grade perspective and I'm talking to someone who teaches Algebra 2 in high school, like, we're connecting on the. On so many things. Even though we live in such vastly different places in the country and just we come from.
Janet Irwin [00:09:09]:
Because the podcast is all about. Right. I know when I share that story and have, you know, people feel like, oh, yeah, I remember that, or I'm going through that same thing and. And feel like they're not alone. So I have one more question for you. What do you wish someone told you before you started your first year?
Jenna MacNulty [00:09:26]:
A lot of people told me a lot of things. I have a very strong support system. So lots of kids around you, Right?
Kasey Bratcher [00:09:30]:
One bit of a lot of advice.
Jenna MacNulty [00:09:31]:
Especially with my mom being a teacher. She gave me the lowdown and everything, but not necessarily what I wish someone told me, but things that I wish would have resonated with me more. One of the biggest things that I learned throughout my first couple months of teaching, if I'm being honest, if not weeks, was that it's okay to ask for help. Like you. Yes, I have.
Kasey Bratcher [00:09:51]:
Say it again in louder.
Jenna MacNulty [00:09:52]:
It's okay to ask for help.
Kasey Bratcher [00:09:54]:
Oh, yes.
Jenna MacNulty [00:09:55]:
Like, yes, I have a degree and I need to believe in myself. But also, like, when you're a first-year teacher, you're learning how the school works as well as how you are still becoming a teacher in your own shoes. Um, so just kind of putting that pride aside and being like, yes, I know how to do this, but it's okay to put that to the side right now and say, hey, how would you do this? Because results aren't happening in my room. Or hey, I thought I was going to lose my mind today because my kids were insane.
Kasey Bratcher [00:10:20]:
Yeah.
Jenna MacNulty [00:10:20]:
Do you have any advice for that? Like just putting. Putting my pride to the side and breaking down a little bit and saying, hey, I need some help. I'll take it in any, any direction I can get it.
Kasey Bratcher [00:10:30]:
I love it.
Janet Irwin [00:10:31]:
I love that advice. I kind of want to hear from you guys. Does anyone want to tell me what you wish you told yourself or what someone would tell you before you started your first year teaching? What would you tell your first-year teacher self?
Janet Irwin [00:10:46]:
Okay, my advice for first year me.
Janet Irwin [00:10:49]:
Would have been go home earlier.
Kasey Bratcher [00:10:52]:
Go home earlier. Yeah.
Jenna MacNulty [00:10:55]:
I found myself sleeping in more and more as the year went on. I would, like, get there before contract hours and then come like February, March. I was like rolling up right on time. And I've given myself a pat on the back for that progress.
Kasey Bratcher [00:11:09]:
Make sure you always do the math, but then also make sure that you.
Kasey Bratcher [00:11:12]:
Make time for yourself.
Janet Irwin [00:11:14]:
That's right.
Kasey Bratcher [00:11:14]:
Do the math, but make time for yourself.
Jenna MacNulty [00:11:16]:
Yes.
Kasey Bratcher [00:11:16]:
I like it. That's great, too.
Janet Irwin [00:11:18]:
We got some over here.
Kasey Bratcher [00:11:19]:
Oh, there's another one.
Guest [00:11:21]:
Hi. I think a piece of advice that I've learned. I just completed my first year as well, so. Thank you. Thank you. First piece of advice is just to believe in your capabilities as an educator. We all suffer from imposter syndrome from time to time, so believe in yourself and know that you are there for a purpose and for a reason. So, yeah, congratulations.
Jenna MacNulty [00:11:44]:
Thanks.
Jenna MacNulty [00:11:45]:
You too.
Kasey Bratcher [00:11:46]:
Believe in yourself. I love it.
Janet Irwin [00:11:48]:
Love it.
Kasey Bratcher [00:11:48]:
Anybody else?
Janet Irwin [00:11:49]:
Anybody else wanna share?
Kasey Bratcher [00:11:51]:
I think if I could go back and give my first-year teacher any advice, my first-year self a piece of advice, it would be, you don't have to grade every single thing you give to students. And I learned that from the one and only Amy Jones Lewis who walked in my classroom one day and saw the stack of papers and I was like, I've got to grade those. And she picked them up and threw them in the trash and said, but do you really. Did you, do you know how, don't you already know how kids did on that? Like, you don't have to grade all of them. There, there needs to be some. But you don't have like quit, quit overdoing it.
Kasey Bratcher [00:12:22]:
And I really appreciated that. It was almost like a freedom, right?
Jenna MacNulty [00:12:25]:
Yeah.
Kasey Bratcher [00:12:26]:
Anybody else? Final one.
Janet Irwin [00:12:29]:
Oh, we got another one.
Caitlin (Guest) [00:12:30]:
Can I say advice? I would not follow that. I got a lot as a first-year teacher which was don't smile until October. And I said my students need lots.
Caitlin (Guest) [00:12:42]:
Of smiles, so I did not follow that.
Caitlin (Guest) [00:12:45]:
So smile at your kids for sure.
Kasey Bratcher [00:12:50]:
Smile a lot over smile. I love it. Thanks, Caitlin.
Janet Irwin [00:12:50]:
Love it. Well, thank you, Jenna, for sharing your story.
Jenna MacNulty [00:12:54]:
Thank you. Thank you, guys.
Janet Irwin [00:12:59]:
You're listening to the Year One feed. For additional exclusive content, free teaching resources and more, visit yearonepodcast.com and stick around as we release more bonus content and teacher stories later this year. And for anyone interested in experiencing the magic of TNI for yourself, registration is open. You can find out more by going to carnegielearning.com/tni.