I've been teaching for at least 10 years, but
I still get the jitters on the first meeting.
I know if I feel this way, so will the students
I always start by saying 'Welcome" and go from
there with the icebreaker: introduction of myself with a little background and then I have my class introduce themselves with a little background. I make the seating chart as they introduce themselves, so at the end, I can call them by name.
You are right on with having a list of things to do for that first meeting.
