Beginning teachers share their teaching tips
It has been great to see the response to our Beginning Teachers series. In this blogpost, the fantastic beginning teachers share their teacher tips. Grab a pen and paper and take some notes – there is a lot of gold here!
Teacher Tips from a First-Year Teacher
- Make a to-do list that encompasses task, resources, who can help, and when it needs to be completed. Every time you cross something off you will feel accomplishment and in control!
- Ask for help from everyone around you.
- Don’t reinvent the wheel – ask others and search your school resource room, Facebook, Instagram, and the internet before you start something from scratch!
- Make sure you use your release time to the best ability you can – know what you need to complete before going in.
- Develop relationships with all staff at your school – you never know when you or they may need a favour.
- Make time for a hobby, whether it’s Netflix or the Bachelor. Regularly plan time out for yourself – it makes you a better person and teacher!
- Set clear expectations and maintain them at all times with the students.
- Set a time to leave school each day and don’t stay later!
Teacher Tips from a First-Year Teacher
Set working hours for yourself. Give yourself a wide berth for this, to begin with, as you will take longer than experienced teachers to do the same thing. It is really important that you set a time for yourself in the afternoons and evenings when you no longer check emails and do planning and marking. Learn to put your school computer away. It makes a huge difference! Pick up a hobby and dedicate time to it. Do something that you enjoy outside of school, regularly.
There will be times in your first/second year when work will feel overwhelming. It is important that work doesn’t feel like it is your whole life. This will decrease the likelihood of burnout and ill mental health. Be prepared to get sick – like seriously, I have never been sicker in my life. I have caught bugs on average, every 2-3 weeks. That huge sick leave allowance you get in the first year? You get that for a reason. Do the best you can to make sure you are getting enough rest, good nutrition, and managing your stress effectively. Overall, just be really kind to yourself. This job can be extraordinarily tough, but stick it out. The rewarding parts make it all worth it!
Teacher Tips from a First-Year Teacher
- Make sure you ask every question you can if you are unsure.
- Don’t second guess yourself because every teacher has a different style of teaching.
- Try not to let work take over and definitely find a balance.
- Make sure you keep up to date with your planning.
- Go to as many PLD courses as you can.
- Don’t get caught up in the gossip at school.
- Enjoy the students and your teaching.
Teacher Tips from a Second-Year Teacher
Ask for help – there are experts at your school that can give you advice on anything. It doesn’t have to be your mentor. Observe all the teachers in your school. I learned some of my best strategies from a teacher who taught in Year 6 while I taught in Year 2.
It’s a cliché but – consistency is key. I think regardless of who is in your class being consistent with expectations is so so important. I only learned that in my second-year and I feel like such a more in control teacher this year.
Give yourself a break if you need it. Take sick days. If you have a really difficult student and you feel yourself getting worked up, give yourself a chance to breathe and calm down first before dealing with that. Ask for help.
Teacher Tips from a Second-Year Teacher
Surround yourself with genuine, kind people who have your best interest in mind. Create a classroom culture that you want to spend time in – this could mean setting up routines, expectations, and so on.
Don’t be afraid to fully immerse yourself with the kids learning – they love it, I promise.
One of the biggest tips I can give is don’t be too hard on yourself, be flexible, and if it doesn’t get done today, it will get done tomorrow. I feel like every BT comes into teaching with such high expectations for themselves, which is great, but it’s also important to know that we are just human after all and we cannot do everything. Work collaboratively, make sure you have the support you need (both in school and out), understand that some things are just out of your control, and be kind to yourself. Know that when it gets overwhelming, it is perfectly ok to ask for help. I know for a fact I wouldn’t have made this far without asking for a hand!
Chin up, you got this! Welcome to teaching!
Teacher Tips from a Second-Year Teacher
- Relationships are key! Staff, students, parents, and the community.
- Have a look at other classes before you have to set up your class and decide what you like and how you could work it.
- Don’t be afraid to change planning templates several times until you find what works for you.
- At the beginning of the year (or when you start) begin firm with your expectations for behaviour. It’s easier to ease off later than try to recapture attentiveness
- Highlighters, markers, and chiseled tip whiteboard markers are your friends!
- Have a set of class jobs for your kids, give them responsibility early – also this helps at clean up time.
- Don’t be afraid to fail – we learn from mistakes. Reflect, change it up, and move on.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to ask for something to be clarified, make sure you understand something before nodding your head and smiling.
And here are some tips for the beginning teacher’s partner:
- Help set up the classroom if you’re asked – or even offer. Know the space your partner works in because you will hear about it.
- Before you throw anything out at work or home ask your partner if they could use it in their classroom – old uniforms are great for art shirts.
- If you’re asked to pick up milk on the way home, just buy a bottle of wine, it will come in handy at least once a week.
See more from our beginning teacher series
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