Eight School Year's Resolutions for Teachers

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Who says "New Year, New You" has to wait until January? For teachers, September is the real fresh start. It's a chance to start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to make this your best year yet. 

At OneSchool Global (OSG), we know some of the best ideas in education come from the educators doing the work every day. With a global community of teachers and school leaders, we're drawing on their experience and expertise to share practical tips that can help educators reflect, grow, and bring fresh ideas into their classrooms and school communities this school year.

Here are eight back-to-school habits to help you feel more organized, energized, and ready for the year ahead; and more importantly, how to make them stick.

1. Ask more questions: Kristin Iula, One School Global principal at the New York campus located in Airmont, New York, recommends replacing some explanations with questions that encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and deeper understanding. According to Iula, "A good question can do more than an explanation. It gives students a chance to wrestle with the idea themselves."
2. Learn from another teacher: Observe another classroom. Share ideas. Collaborate. Great teaching grows through connection.
3. Give students more ownership: Allowing choice in topics, projects, reading materials, or ways to demonstrate understanding is a key to success in Tonia Manges' classroom in Knoxville, Tennessee. "I've found that giving students choices makes them take more ownership of their work. It feels like it becomes theirs, not just another assignment."
4. Embrace imperfection: For Jonathon Borys, Regional Head of School at OneSchool Global, embracing imperfection means being willing to try, reflect, and adjust along the way. "You're not going to get everything right the first time. What matters is being willing to learn from it, make a change, and keep moving forward."
5. Celebrate the small wins more: "You don't have to wait for the big moments to celebrate students. Sometimes a quick compliment or simply noticing their progress can make all the difference," says Jonathon Borys. A positive note home, a quick word of encouragement, or calling out a student's growth can help students feel seen, valued, and motivated to keep going.
6. Create an environment where staff speak up: Creating a culture where staff feel comfortable sharing ideas, offering different perspectives, and challenging the status quo can lead to better collaboration and stronger ideas. Jonathon Borys puts it simply: "The best ideas don't always come from the person leading the room. We need to make sure everyone feels comfortable speaking up."
7. Reconnect with your purpose: Keep reminders of your impact close – student notes, memories, successes, and moments that remind you why this work matters.
8. Commit to professional growth: Read a professional book, attend a workshop, listen to an education podcast, or connect with another educator who challenges your thinking. 

The best resolutions are the ones you can actually keep. Rather than trying to tackle all eight at once, choose one or two to focus on first and make them specific. You can also pair a new habit with a routine you already have, like taking two minutes at the end of each school day to reflect on what worked and what you want to try tomorrow.

Small, consistent changes can add up to a meaningful difference. With each change, you may feel more confident, connected, and energized throughout the school year. So, pick a habit, give yourself some grace, and remember, you don't have to do it all at once. Here's to a great school year – and good luck!

About OneSchool Global: OneSchool Global is an educational system attended by families of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church with 120+ campuses across 20 countries, where it provides an innovative learning and teaching program to over 8,000 students. For more information about OSG, go to www.oneschoolglobal.com.

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SOURCE OneSchool Global