Starting your first teaching job in September? Some advice from those who have been there.
As we near the end of this term, those teachers preparing to take up their first posts in September will be looking ahead. I think every teacher will remember the months between being appointed and getting started. We asked our network and the education team at SSAT to share their advice for new teachers.
Teaching is a cooperative job, there should be no need for competition as we are all working towards the same goal in the wider picture. Rely on the experiences from those around you and share with them your experiences, aim to learn as much (or more!) as your students each lesson about how to be a reflective practitioner and expert at what you do.
Re-frame any mindset of ‘teacher vs students’ as ‘teachers and students vs the problem’. Show that you are on their side. Even if it is incredibly hard on a day-by-day basis, be that unmovable rock in the storm they can rely on. Show them that you are also human, the easiest way for the young mind to validate themselves is if they see you as not deserving of mutual respect. Enjoy the time you spend with the younger generation, there has never been a dull day since day one and I would not swap the experiences for anything else. Dr Jacob Ward, Townley Grammar School
- Be you, as that’s when you’ll be at your best.
- Schools always have unwritten rules: ask, ask ask!
- Struggling isn’t failure. Talk to your colleagues.
- Medals aren’t given out for running yourself into the ground. Put yourself first.
Corinne Settle, Senior Education Lead, SSAT
My biggest piece of advice for early career teachers would be to get involved with as much as you can manage. Having the opportunity to be part of your school community, not only strengthens your bond with your colleagues but also the students. Building strong relationships with colleagues as well as students is one of the most important parts of teaching. Students will respond to the lessons if they feel you are invested in them; this also forms a large part of behaviour management. Helena Pickerill, Chase Terrace Academy
Use your mentor and other colleagues’ advice … don’t be afraid to ask! Laura Burton, Senior Education Lead, SSAT
I think the most important information I could give for new teachers would be to, firstly, take on every piece of advice you are given. There is a big leap from training to teaching, but it does not have to be an impossible leap. If you ask for help and listen to the feedback you are given, everything will be picked up incredibly quickly.
Secondly, there is no need to reinvent the wheel every day. Find what works for you, whether it be what times you work, how you mark, how you plan, and run with it.
Thirdly, and most importantly, prioritise you. I used to get to work at 7am and leave no earlier than 6pm, followed by evenings and weekends marking and planning. Safe to say I soon burnt out and even though I’d only been teaching for two years, I found myself resenting the job. As soon as I cut that back and prioritised myself, everything was better. At first it was difficult as I found myself with ‘guilt’, but at the end of the day, if you are not happy, calm and well-rested, then ultimately your teaching will suffer, and the over-working would have been for nothing! Set a time, work until that point, and then come back the next day – the list will never end so we must learn to prioritise! Harriet Ward, Wright Robinson College
Make the most of opportunities to get involved in the life of the school. Take at least one day at the weekend to rest. Dr Dan Belcher, Senior Education Lead, SSAT
Integrate yourselves into your school and get to know a range of staff who you can turn to for support by using the staff rooms that are available. This will become an invaluable network for curriculum tools and behaviour.
Use the school calendar to plan all key dates into your diary for the year ahead and keep yourself planned at least one week in advance. Before you start in September ensure you know your school policies so that the students don’t use them against you. And most importantly be yourself! Abigail Ciccarelli, Goffs Academy
Use your planner – if you’ve an idea of what you are doing for the week you can relax (and use Chat GPT for outline lesson plans 😉) Sylvia King, Senior Education Lead, SSAT
The advice I would give to new teachers starting their first job in September would be to be organised in pastoral and academic roles as a teacher. Also, to observe other the classes they teach in other subjects in order to understand different dynamics of students’ learning. Hennah Ahmed, Stratford School Academy
Remember that teaching is a skill that takes time and practice. Your colleagues know this as they will still be working to develop their skills, no matter how long they have been teaching. So, don’t be afraid to be open about what you don’t know and what you still want to work on.
There are lots of different ways to be a great teacher. Learn from others, but also be yourself. Find what works for you.
Remember that you are always the most valuable resource for your pupils. Getting some sleep and making time to do the things that you enjoy beyond school will always do more for your classes than beautifully designed slides and resources. Alex Galvin, Senior Education Lead SSAT
Make sure you make time for you and your home life; a lot of jobs can be left until the next day. It’s really important to make sure you look after yourself, as being the best version of you helps you to do the best job that you can. Jodie Snowling, Sandbach High School
What advice would you give those about to start their first teaching role? Let us know below.
