Being a teacher isn’t an easy job and comes with a lot of pressure and responsibility. You’re in charge of ensuring the kids in your class receive a good education and walk away with new knowledge they can apply in the future.

Four steps, in particular, will allow you to have a more successful teaching career. Believe in yourself and your students, and you’ll be off to a good start. Be willing to make mistakes and take risks so that you can improve your skills and abilities over time. Also, don’t forget to make learning fun and build relationships with your students, so all have a better experience.

1.   Continue Learning & Educating Yourself

You’ll be doing yourself a favor by learning all you can absorb about education and the field. There are many options to advance your skills, such as attending conferences, networking with other teachers, and earning an advanced degree. If you’re interested in going back to school, then review the online education program admissions guidelines and available specialties so you can take on new challenges in your teaching career.

2.   Be Creative in the Classroom

Another step to having a successful teaching career is to be creative in the classroom. Not all you do has to be boring and by the book. Think outside the box and get your students to think for themselves. Find new and different ways to present the same information and capture the attention of your students. You have the ability and power to come up with different strategies for communicating the lesson plan and making the learning experience more fun and enlightening. Stay up to date with the latest developments in technology and what’s happening in the education field.

3.   Always be Prepared

Showing up to class unprepared and tired will take a toll on your teaching career. You must come to class ready to teach and inspire your students. You can have a more successful teaching career by putting forth your full effort and always giving your class the best version of you. Understand what lessons you’re going to go over each day and how you’re going to convey the information to them, so it’s interactive and enjoyable for everyone. Go over lesson plans and to-dos the night prior, so you’re ready to do your job the next day. Plus, take advantage of already available resources. Some websites, such as Caddell Prep, offer math lessons and online math assignments that you can use with your students. Using online platforms like that will not only save you time preparing, but also time grading homework.

4.   Set Expectations Early & be Consistent

As the teacher, it’s your job to be assertive and set ground rules and expectations for your classroom. Be consistent about what you will and won’t tolerate and avoid playing favorites. Make sure you do what you say and stick to your word. Try your best not to make exceptions to the rules and hold everyone to the same standards. You risk your students not listening and losing respect for you if you’re contradictory and unpredictable.

Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to having a more successful career in teaching. Give yourself a break when you’re first starting and continue to take on new challenges as you gain experience and confidence in yourself.