I learned you should "front load" the beginning of class with critical information then allow work time or what have you after

I am finding that I am in exactly these situations. Though they seem to be pointing out the issues with no real answers for the information.

A good note I was given by another instructor is make a note each day so you can look back on it next year. keep a running log of this and you will be able to learn and grow from year to year. 

Hearing out an angry student and having a conversation with them might be all they need. Often they are not angry with you, but it is, misdirected anger about something else.

I like the idea of the rotating seating chart because it never lets the students "hide in the back". It gives everyone opertunities to be up front and center and get the "front row attention" that all students deserve.

This has really taught me what good outline for a syllabus is. Very helpful considering it is my first year and I am not 100% on what my lesson plan will be yet. I was considering having a very vague syllabus so I could have a more fluid program. But I think perhaps i should Nail down a reasonable set of assignments and then have free room towards the end almost as an extra step or additional assignment.

I think making school as close to a real workplace environment, time clocks, proper paperwork, etc. Is an excellent idea i would love to try in my class room.  

I like the idea of the I do, we do, you do method. The repetitive nature of it, on a simple task like how to turn a machine on seems appropriate and would help those who get it right away remember it for longer, and it gives those who did not get it right away a few more run thru examples to pick up on it.  

As a Machine Tech teacher I think by teaching the individual skills, and grading the final project that applies all of those skills, is a really good way to apply the formative and cumulative assesments.

I learned that in order to teach something you have to not only know how but why each step is done. Also a good way to asses if a student has learned a new skill is if they can "teach it" or fully describe it back to me. Minus the physically doing the skill part that is.