In this article, the author reflects on the support that novice teachers may need when preparing lesson plans. Showing that support makes a difference, three groups of teachers (one with access to lessons plans along with assistance from an online learning community; one with model plans but just online access; and one writing their own lesson plans) revealed that the novice teachers with access to lessons and online learning support community help were doubly beneficial for teachers. Left to their own devices, novice teachers often struggle to write effective lessons; however, access to high-quality lesson plans and online learning community access can give new or struggling teachers an important lifeline.