Is it normal to have imposter syndrome as an NQT?

[Horcrux]

Don’t get me wrong, I feel massively supported in my job, but I think because I’m not being observed or monitored as much as last year during my pgce I am constantly wondering whether I am getting it all right!!

No one’s complaining I guess, but it’s weird to have only been observed once so far. Daunting as they are, I now realise that they were a kind of security blanket for me!

Is this a normal feeling for a teacher?

[sd249]

Yes! So many people feel like this - you go from someone watching everything you do to all of a sudden being on your own!

If people had concerns about you they would be speaking to you - you would have parents ringing to say something is wrong or people would be offering support.

Don't forget to ask people though if you don't know something or aren't sure. Experienced teachers are used to NQT's saying "how would you teach this?" "how would you approach this in a different way?" so don't worry and just enjoy the freedom!

:-)

[StationView]

I didn't have a form in my NQT year, but did the following year. I remember walking down a corridor carrying one of the old big, blue paper registers with 7StationView on the front and feeling like a proper teacher at last!

[SallyLovesCheese]

Yes, so normal! I was an NQT about a decade ago but still remember I spent the first three weeks expecting the real class teacher to walk in and take over. Took me ages to get used to the fact they were all mine and I wasn't being checked up on all the time!

[Bluewavescrashing]

Yes. 12 years teaching and I still get it.

[parrotonmyshoulder]

21 years for me and still feel like I’m ‘playing schools’ sometimes.

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

I’m now considered an ‘original’ at my school after loads of new staff joined us, I’ve been given one of the hardest year groups in the hopes that me and my partner teacher can fix them and an NQT is coming to watch me for her professional development. I still feel like I don’t know what I’m doing half the time.

[CalmGiraffe]

I felt it most the year after NQT year. No mentor, no extra PPA and even fewer observations.

I'm another one that has been upgraded to one of the 'original' staff. It still surprises me!

[Horcrux]

thanks all!

It is very strange, I kind of feel that everyone around me is pissed off with something I’ve done, so they’re ignoring me rather than giving me feedback. But in reality it’s just that I’m no longer in the spotlight!!!

[MrsZola]

Oh yes, totally normal. 32 years in and still waiting to be rumbled and shown the door! 😂

[Em3978]

I do as a TA after 6 years.