Before the first bell rings, teachers are already hard at work preparing lessons, organizing materials and getting ready to inspire their students. From morning greetings to afternoon goodbyes, their day is packed with energy, patience and dedication. They typically manage classrooms, grade papers and offer guidance to all their students. Yet they still manage to keep a positive attitude through all the ups and downs.

Many teachers start their day early in the morning, like English teacher Laura Trieschmann.

“I wake up between 5:15 and 5:30 to start getting ready because I am a little bit of a crazy person,” Trieschmann said.

Trieschmann has been teaching for 17 years and has noticed changes in her daily work routine.

“I used to have very different habits that I would describe to other people as maybe kind of toxic and unhealthy,” Trieschmann said.

Seth Fortner, a math teacher, football coach and baseball coach, also starts his day early.

“During football season, my day starts about 6:45 a.m. and ends probably around 6 p.m.,” Fortner said.

Most mornings, teachers tend to use their time for planning, even if they have a district-provided curriculum, as Fortner does.

“I will look at where we’re at that day, and then print out the notes, print out the homework and make adjustments accordingly,” Fortner said.

Trieschmann provides these words of wisdom for new and beginning teachers.

“I think my advice to new teachers is to always be gentle with yourself,” Trieschmann said.