Welcome to Great Beginnings.

Who does this apply to?

Not every employee gets a Microsoft account. If you’re in a management or office role — including center directors, assistant directors, program specialists, office staff, and district managers — this article is for you.

If you’re a classroom teacher or aide, you likely don’t need a Microsoft account. Check with your director if you’re not sure what applies to your role.

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This is your most important work account.
Your Microsoft account is the key to almost everything you do at work — your email, your computer, Microsoft Teams, shared files, and more. Getting this set up correctly is the first and most important step. Everything else builds on it.

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What is a Microsoft account?

Your Microsoft account is your work identity — one login that opens many things at GBA:

• Your work email
• Microsoft Teams (your main communication tool)
• Your work computer
• Shared documents and files
• External services like Amazon Business (through Single Sign On — [What is Single Sign On? — coming soon])

Your username is your work email address — for most staff, that looks like firstname.lastname@greatbeginnings.academy. Some staff may have an address at a different domain like @abcgb.net or @dnjedu.com depending on their location or role. If your address ever changes, your old one keeps working — emails sent to it still arrive in your inbox, and you can send from any of your addresses. See also: [Understanding your email address and aliases] — coming soon.

You’ll use this account every day for work. It’s worth a few minutes to get it set up right.

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Before you start

Make sure you have the following before you do anything else:

• Your work email address — this was in your welcome text (format: firstname.lastname@greatbeginnings.academy)
• Your temporary password — also in your welcome text
• A device — your phone, a tablet, or a computer all work for first login

While you have your phone out, download these three apps now. You’ll need them later in your setup, so getting them installed now saves time.

App	iPhone	Android
Microsoft Teams	Download on App Store	Download on Google Play
Microsoft Authenticator	Download on App Store	Download on Google Play
Microsoft Outlook	Download on App Store	Download on Google Play

Don’t have your welcome text? If you never received a welcome text, or you can’t find your temporary password, stop here before continuing. Visit our Who You Gonna Call page for contact info, or reach out to your director or DM.

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Sign in step by step

Before you start: If someone else is already signed into the browser on this computer, sign them out first — or open an incognito window so you don’t accidentally save to their account.

• Chrome or Edge: press Ctrl + Shift + N
• Safari (Mac): press Shift + ⌘ + N

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1. Open a web browser and go to office.com

2. Click Sign in

3. Type your work email address and click Next

4. Type your temporary password and click Sign in

5. Microsoft will ask you to create a new password. This is required on your first login — your temporary password only works once.

6. Choose a new password. Keep these tips in mind:

• At least 8 characters — longer is better
• Use a mix of letters, numbers, and at least one symbol (like !, @, or #)
• Don’t reuse a password you already use somewhere else
• Avoid your name, “password”, “1234”, or anything obvious
• Write it down somewhere safe until you have it memorized

Better idea: Use a password manager to create and remember strong passwords for you. You’ll never need to remember or write down a password again. [What is a password manager? — coming soon]

7. After setting your new password, click Sign in again

8. Microsoft will now show a screen about setting up the Microsoft Authenticator app. This is part of required security for your account. You have two options:

Option A — Set up Authenticator now (recommended)
Follow the on-screen steps to link the Microsoft Authenticator app. This is the most secure option and makes future logins much faster. See: [Set up the Microsoft Authenticator app]

Option B — Use a text message instead
If you want to skip Authenticator for now, look for the small link that says “I want to set up a different method” — it’s easy to miss. Click it and choose Phone to receive a text message code instead. You’ll still need to verify your identity this way before you can continue. See: [Set up two-factor authentication via SMS]

9. Once you’ve completed the security step, you’ll land on the Microsoft 365 home screen. You’re in.

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Secure your account: what to do next

You’re signed in, but there are two more steps that will protect your account and make your daily login much easier. Don’t skip these.

Step 1 — Add a text message backup (even if you set up Authenticator)

Having a backup verification method means you won’t get locked out if you lose your phone or your Authenticator app isn’t working.

Go to your Microsoft account → Security info → Add sign-in method → choose Phone.

See: [Set up two-factor authentication via SMS]

Step 2 — Go passwordless (recommended)

Once the Authenticator app is set up, you can remove the need for a password entirely. Instead of typing a password, you just approve a notification on your phone. It’s faster and more secure.

See: [Go passwordless with Microsoft Authenticator]

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If something goes wrong

My temporary password isn’t working.
Double-check that you’re entering it exactly as it appeared in your welcome text — watch for capital letters and special characters, and make sure there are no extra spaces before or after the password. If it still doesn’t work, your temporary password may have expired. See Who You Gonna Call for contact info, or reach out to your director or DM.

I never got a welcome text.
Your account may not be fully set up yet. See Who You Gonna Call for contact info, or reach out to your director or DM before trying to sign in.

I set a new password but now I can’t remember it.
Go to office.com, click Sign in, enter your email address, then click Forgot password and follow the steps. If that doesn’t work, see Who You Gonna Call or reach out to your director or DM.