top of page
Search

The 12 Days of EduMagic: A Practical Guide for Future Teachers

Updated: 5 days ago

Hey there, EduMagicians! The holidays may be over, but the magic of teaching never ends. Let’s celebrate the 12 Days of EduMagic with a series of focused gifts to help future teachers, education majors, and student teachers thrive from their first 8:00 AM class to student teaching and beyond.


edumagic episode art


12 Days of EduMagic Day 1: Find your teaching superpower

Take the Teaching Superpower Quiz to identify your strengths (example - empathetic, caring, supportive) and explore tailored resources. Find your teaching super power here - https://www.sfecich.com/becomeanedumagician


12 Days of EduMagic Day 2: Double the inspiration with the EduMagic podcast and blog

Dive into the EduMagic Podcast and the EduMagic Blog for strategies on field experiences, observation, and student teaching. Bookmark https://sfecich.com/blog and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen. These resources will provide you with ongoing guidance and encouragement during your college journey.


12 Days of EduMagic Day 3: Build your professional Instagram

Make your teacher's Instagram work for your brand as a future educator. A professional presence can help you during your job search.

  • Action items for you to make your Instagram work for you as a future teacher

    1. Use a clear profile photo of just you.

    2. Add “Aspiring Educator,” “Future Teacher,” or “Pre-Service Teacher” to your bio (optional: your major, Early Childhood Education).

    3. Post what you’re learning, such as methods, strategies, and edtech tools, from coursework.


12 Days of EduMagic Day 4: Four interview essentials

Practical steps to prepare for student teaching interviews or summer internships.

For more in-depth guidance, explore Interview Tips at sfecich.com/post/interview-tips and Interview Success Strategies at sfecich.com/post/interview-success-strategies-for-educators.



12 Days of EduMagic Day 5: Why you need the book EduMagic: A Guide for Pre-Service Teachers

 A roadmap filled with practical strategies, reflection prompts, portfolio guidance, and real quotes from pre-service teachers. Add the book to your professional toolkit. It provides a step-by-step guide to building your digital presence, developing your teaching portfolio, and preparing for interviews.





12 Days of EduMagic Day 6: Six ways to stand out in interviews

Learn more interview tips, such as

  • Include a QR code on your resume/brochure that links to audio/video examples (create intros in Animoto or Canva).

  • Expect interview variation, for example, some rounds and formats differ by district (content-specific questions vs. demo lessons).

  • Treat everyone with kindness from the admin assistants, principals, and educators; be sure to smile, make eye contact, and use names.

  • Send a thank-you note 

  • Keep professional materials cohesive (resume, brochure, portfolio).

  • These additional strategies are covered in detail in Interview Success Strategies: sfecich.com/post/interview-success-strategies-for-educators.


12 Days of EduMagic Day 7: Seven classroom tech tools to try

Engaging edtech to support instruction and data collection. Take time to explore and potentially get certified in tools such as Nearpod, Kahoot!, Blooket, Canva for Education (use your .edu email), Book Creator, Edpuzzle, ClassroomScreen, and Immersive Reader.


Get even more extended tech tool reviews in Best Classroom Tech Tools for Middle & High School Teachers (sfecich.com/post/best-classroom-tech-tools-for-middle-high-school-teachers) and Brisk for Teachers: Simplify Feedback, Lesson Planning, & More (sfecich.com/post/briskteaching).


12 Days of EduMagic Day 8: Eight LinkedIn profile essentials

Learn some tips to create a LinkedIn profile that is sure to stand out. Be sure to add the following.

  • Professional photo (clear, just you).

  • Headline that pops (“Aspiring Elementary Teacher,” “Future Special Education Teacher”).

  • About section with your teaching philosophy (template available at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teaching-Philosophy-Template-7975375)

  • Experience (tutoring, volunteer work) + leadership roles.

  • Degrees, certifications (Microsoft/Google educator) and skills/endorsements (edtech, classroom management).

  • Clearances (as appropriate).

  • Engage with your LinkedIn profile and don’t post and ghost; share what you’re learning.

  • Add your LinkedIn URL/QR to your resume.

  • Link your digital portfolio.

  • Customize your LinkedIn URL 


12 Days of EduMagic Day 9: Nine strategies to balance school & life

Practical time management for college students and student teachers.


  • Time block study, class, friends, movement.

  • Sort tasks into Must / Should / Could.

  • Do a weekly preview (Saturday/Sunday), work to identify commitments and open windows.

  • Use the Pomodoro method (25-minute focus and 5-minute breaks). If you get stuck, start with just 5 minutes.

  • Keep a reusable weekly template (top 3 priorities, must/should/could).

  • Set non-negotiables (class attendance, movement goals, shutdown times, lunch with friends).

  • Schedule time for hobbies, family, and rest.

  • Prioritize sleep (aim for 7–8 hours).

  • Stay active, try to add movement into your day.


12 Days of EduMagic Day 10: Ten ways to slay a field observation

What it is: Conduct professional, focused classroom observations.


    • Arrive about 15 minutes early; check in with the administrative assistant.

    • Bring a notebook & pen (skip the laptop, it is less distracting for students).

    • Leave your phone in your bag orcar; set app timers to reduce scrolling.

    • Know what you’re observing (check your syllabus/rubric).

    • Watch classroom management—verbal/nonverbal cues, call-and-response, policies.

    • Note why tech is used and how it was used with students

    • If allowed, greet students, circulate, and ask how you can help.

    • Observe specialists (PT/OT/Speech, computer, music) and multiple grade levels.

    • Send professional thank-you notes to teachers, the principal, and anyone who helped.

    • Remember: you represent your school and yourself. You never know what opportunities may follow.

  • Prepare using Supervisor Observation Secret Sauce at sfecich.com/post/supervisor-observation-secret-sauce and Observation with Trust & Support (Craig Randall) at sfecich.com/post/observation-with-trust-and-support-featuring-craig-randall.


12 Days of EduMagic Day 11: Eleven prompts to guide an observation

Prompts that keep your notes focused and actionable.

  1. Entrance protocol: How do students enter? Expectations visible?

  2. Seating: Desk arrangement and how does it change by lesson/strategy?

  3. Materials: How do students access resources? Autonomy vs. permission?

  4. Attendance: Where/how is it reported?

  5. Late work: What’s the policy?

  6. Assessment & grading: How are grades recorded and communicated to students/families?

  7. Curriculum use: Which programs? Scope & sequence and pacing.

  8. Emergency info: Where is it kept? Who has access?

  9. Schedule model: Daily/weekly rotations (A/B/C days?).

  10. SEL integration: How is social-emotional learning embedded in routines/space?

Exit & engagement: How do students exit? Is learning teacher or student driven?


For more observation-reflection tools, revisit the same posts: Supervisor Observation Secret Sauce and Observation with Trust & Support (Craig Randall).


12 Days of EduMagic Day 12: The EduMagic Student Teacher planner

 A comprehensive, printable/digital planner (300+ pages) to organize your entire student teaching experience (and field placements).



Keep the Momentum: Your Next Three Steps

  1. Take the Superpower Quiz and save your result for your portfolio.

  2. Pick one action from each day and schedule it on your calendar this week.

  3. Grab a template (resume, brochure, or teaching philosophy) from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/edumagic-new-teacher-store 


Connect with Dr. Sam Fecich 

Want to keep the conversation going beyond the blog? I’d love to connect with you! Whether you're a future educator, a current teacher, or someone passionate about edtech and innovation in the classroom, there are plenty of ways to stay inspired and supported. 


Discover Your Student Teacher Superpower. Take the free quiz: What’s Your Student Teacher Superpower? and uncover your unique strengths in the classroom! 

Join the Conversation on Instagram. Tag me @sfecich with your thoughts and takeaways. 


Remember, EDUmagicians...You have the EduMagic within you. Keep shining and keep making a difference. 



bottom of page