How enthusiastic do you expect your new trainees to be

[fluffyslipper1]

So I'm a very quiet person as I have a few issues. When I teach I usually do bring my heart and soul into it because I care.

There's a load of new trainees in the dept now and I feel so scared in comparison to them. They've all got so much personality and super smiley and amazing and I feel I have none of those things.

I feel like they're all just a lot better than me, I'm just quiet and timid in nature but it doesn't mean that I don't love teaching.

Do you all thing it's a negative that I'm LikeThat

I don't care if you smile in the staffroom, or not.
I care if you take advice, follow guidance, meet deadlines and do your job.
Timid doesn't equal bad, just as gregarious doesn't equal good.

@MrsHamlet

I don't care if you smile in the staffroom, or not. I care if you take advice, follow guidance, meet deadlines and do your job. Timid doesn't equal bad, just as gregarious doesn't equal good.

The others have way more personality than me though:( just bubbly and I'm all like speak when spoken to

So??? You're a trainee teacher not a clown!

@MrsHamlet 😂

OP, the sheer amount of threads you post (regarding different issues) makes me think you may have problems with anxiety and/or confidence?

This really isn’t something to worry about.

Zeppo

It's been one of those days in one of those weeks in one of those terms....

@MrsHamlet

So??? You're a trainee teacher not a clown!

Okay wonderful thanks for your really useful words🙄

@MrsHamlet

Zeppo

It's been one of those days in one of those weeks in one of those terms....

Look at the end of the day you've been a trainee once. If you're not prepared to offer useful advice then maybe keep your nastyness to yourself?

Not all of us as trainees cope the same. Honestly if you don't care trust me I'd rather you just ignore the post. It's not hard just scroll on

[quote TheZeppo]@MrsHamlet 😂

OP, the sheer amount of threads you post (regarding different issues) makes me think you may have problems with anxiety and/or confidence?

This really isn’t something to worry about.[/quote]
Yeah I have. Is that something we make fun of in this day and age

I've been a mentor for twenty years. You're worrying about something that matters not one iota.
As long as you engage the students, your staffroom persona is largely irrelevant.

Don’t compare yourself to them. It doesn’t matter that you are quiet and they’re not, unless of course you’re after a job there and they want social butterflies. As others have said, what matters is that you are taking advice, reflecting on your practice and doing what you need to get through the placement.

I say this as someone with issues with anxiety and really struggled with my final placement and NQT post. You can’t change your personality, you can learn to show interest, smile, ask about people’s day, pets etc. You don’t need to hold court.

@Goldensyrupissticky

Don’t compare yourself to them. It doesn’t matter that you are quiet and they’re not, unless of course you’re after a job there and they want social butterflies. As others have said, what matters is that you are taking advice, reflecting on your practice and doing what you need to get through the placement.

I say this as someone with issues with anxiety and really struggled with my final placement and NQT post. You can’t change your personality, you can learn to show interest, smile, ask about people’s day, pets etc. You don’t need to hold court.

I'm in the same boat. I have bad anxiety and I just don't have words to say to people. It's like brain fog

I thought on one of your other threads you said you were the only trainee?

I expect trainees to plan carefully , listen to advice and feedback be polite and professional.
That's it

@Icytundra

I thought on one of your other threads you said you were the only trainee?

I expect trainees to plan carefully , listen to advice and feedback be polite and professional.
That's it

Yup changed after Easter

I expect trainees to plan carefully , listen to advice and feedback be polite and professional.
That's it
Same here.
Good teachers come in all shapes and sizes. As long as a trainee is polite and fulfils their professional responsibilities their personality doesn't affect how good a teacher they are.

I didn’t make fun of those issues.

Just try little things like comments about the weather etc. I found on my placements that is was generally easier to chat with the TAs than the teachers, as they have the advantage of getting to take a break so have time to chat, (I am in a support/cover role now and I do love this social aspect now) so aren’t always rushing to copy/go to the loo/ deal with a child etc. Of course it depends on the school.

It might be less stressful for you if you feel you aren’t as good as the other trainees. Are you from different universities or different teaching courses in the same university? My first placement I was with others from my specific course while the final one, the others were from the undergraduate course so we had never met.

But seriously, try asking people how they are, it really does help and it doesn’t require much from you. . Most people respond well to that.

I expect them to be able to hold an adult conversation with the usual niceties. My trainee didn't say a word about my wedding or ask how it went (happened in Oct half term, midday through her placement) which I just found bizarre given the amount of time we spent together! (Primary PGCE student)

As a friend of mine said to a parent who said her child found her lessons boring "I'm a teacher, not a children's entertainer"#

We've had NQTs who talk the talk and have classrooms plastered in every display material available but have been absolutely useless teachers. They usually leave after a few years because they can't keep up the nonsense and burn themselves out.

Be yourself.

We were just discussing the fact that most of our best trainees (in the classroom) this year are among the quietest and most self-effacing in meetings and around the school.
However, they are polite, open and friendly and proactive in asking for or offering help. They then use that help to improve their teaching, because their huge focus is on doing the best for the children. So rewarding for mentors and class teachers to, to see the trainee making progress and the chldren benefitting.
So enthusiastic, yes. But that doesn't have to mean loud or chatty or hyper.

too, to

You don't have to be loud to do well. The NQT I mentor this year is a lovely young man. Quiet and could easily be missed but he is pleasant and polite and has been getting to know people in the faculty.

Most importantly, he does his absolute best to plan solid lessons, is willing to share resources with others and asks for and listens to advice.

He has been an absolute pleasure to mentor.

The trainees/NQTs who refuse to listen to advice or go around giving their opinions, whether welcome or not, are usually the ones who start to irritate people.

Ive found that quiet teachers can have a calming effect on the class they teach.
Nothing wrong with being an introvert (despite what society dictates).
Good luck with your placement OP.

I have significant social anxiety. I was a shy trainee. I learnt to become a great teacher though. I'm not shy or anxious in front of a class.

Don't worry about what they think of you (I know it's easier said than done). Just be a great teacher.