Advice for a new teacher

[Popsicales]

I start my ECT (formerly NQT) tomorrow! 3 days of inset to begin with. I will be a Y6 teacher.

I do feel ready as I’ve previously worked as a TA and I had a great training year but I’m so nervous of starting at a brand new school and learning the unwritten rules and policies!

What words of wisdom would you give to an NQT/ECT?

It's not time to panic!
Start off with the routines that matter to the school and to you, and stick to them.
You can't expect perfect from them or you.
Make time in the day to get away from people to eat and breathe.
Mark the first thing they do. Then you know who is trying to pull a fast one (maybe only applies to Bob, aged 14)
It's still not time to panic

Write things down and be led by others as to what to prioritise. Don’t get bogged down with stuff that doesn’t matter. Treat your TA like royalty, ditto the caretaker and the cleaners. Take time for yourself (I go swimming three times a week - this is my time and I would kill to defend it). Don’t worry about making mistakes, everyone does. If you’re not sure about something, ask - not just your mentor but subject leaders too - makes them feel loved. Enjoy your journey - it’s a blast. I’m just starting my 21st year!

Don’t panic. September wobbles are normal.

Wear layers for INSET! Schools are always freezing (or boiling) after the holidays.
Don’t expect to understand every word that is said at INSET (there will be a LOT to take in and some of it will be in school code that you don’t yet know)
Ask questions whenever you don’t understand something (by their very nature, school staff love helping others)
Make time for yourself (I went to a weekly drama class when I first qualified, now I run)
Treat admin staff / cleaners / site staff etc impeccably. They are the absolute bones of a school and if you have them onside, your life will be easier.
If one idea / lesson / day doesn’t quite go to plan just move on to the next. We all make mistakes, frequently.
For the kids, make sure that every day is a fresh start. If Alyssa behaves appallingly on Monday, greet her as if she’s the best behaved student on Tuesday, and Wednesday, and Thursday…

Most of all, relax and enjoy it. Best job in the world!

Make a list of acronyms that pop up and ask what they mean early on, while you still can, without looking odd for not knowing

Make sure you watch your colleagues teach whenever you get a chance. You learn so much from others.

If you are lucky enough to get your PPA/ECT time as a whole day each week plan a hobby/night out with friends around this. I had my noncontact day on a Friday in my first year so I always went out on a Thursday evening. Even on weeks where I felt overwhelmed I still managed this night off if nothing else.

Do not ry to get the children to like you.

Get them to respect you.

Children nearly always like the teachers they respect. They don't always respect the teachers they like.

Good luck!

One other small tip.

If you ask for advice and teachers take the time to respond, it's probably good to say thank you.

@AICM

One other small tip.

If you ask for advice and teachers take the time to respond, it's probably good to say thank you.