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43 Members | 4 Discussions

AFT New Teachers

The first years of teaching can feel overwhelming, and lonely. You don't have to do it alone. Join a community of educators who've been right where you are.

About this Community

Starting out in teaching is exciting, and it can be a lot. This community is here for the "a lot" part.

AFT New Teachers is a free community from AFT's Share My Lesson, made for teachers in the early years of their careers. Teaching is one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do, and one of the hardest to figure out when you're just getting started.

Managing a classroom, partnering with families, protecting your own well-being: new teachers too often take all of this on alone. This is a place to change that. You'll find honest conversations from teachers who get it, resources you can actually use tomorrow, and a network that reminds you you're not on an island.

I didn't think I was going to make it through my first year. So I want to have a place for first-year teachers to go when they feel like they're alone on an island.

Kelly Stanifer, second-year teacher, from Episode 1 of Welcome to Teaching

What You'll Find Here

The Welcome to Teaching podcast: Honest conversations following two new teachers through their first year.
Classroom-ready resources: Free lesson plans and tools you can use right away.
Advice from veteran teachers: Real strategies from educators who've been there.
Bite-sized professional learning: Short PD that fits the time you actually have.
A community that gets it: Discussions and connection with other new educators.
Your union, made clear: Learn what your membership offers and how to get involved.

Learn more about your AFT member benefits. Access more AFT information for PreK-12 educators.

Featured Resources

Collection

New Teacher Collection: Free Lesson Plans and Resources for Back to School

129 Resources

Share My Lesson

Collection

Welcome to Teaching for New Teachers

47 Resources

Share My Lesson

Blog

Free Microlearning Modules for Educators: Bite-Sized Professional Development

March 05, 2026

Lisa Dickinson

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AFT New Teachers community? It's a free community from AFT's Share My Lesson, built to help new and early-career teachers thrive in their first years. You'll find podcasts, lesson plans, professional development, and honest guidance, and anyone can browse the resources for free.

Who is the Welcome to Teaching podcast for? New and early-career teachers, and anyone who mentors or supports them. Each episode follows two real new teachers as they work through their first year with veteran educators and AFT experts.

Is it free to join? Yes. The community and all of its resources are free. Joining lets you take part in discussions and connect with other new educators.

What does the Welcome to Teaching series cover? Classroom management, student well-being, family engagement, teacher well-being, civics instruction, and union support. Practical strategies paired with honest conversation.

How can I get support during my first year? Join the community, explore the Welcome to Teaching series and new teacher resources, and jump into the discussions. It's the fastest way to find tools, ideas, and other teachers who understand what you're going through.

Organizers

Kelly Booz

Director of Share My Lesson, AFT

Organizer

Robin Vitucci

Associate Director, AFT

Organizer

Subtitle

The first years of teaching can feel overwhelming, and lonely. You don't have to do it alone. Join a community of educators who've been right where you are.

Active on

Wed, 08/21/2024 - 15:45