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FIND SOMEONE WHO YOU CAN TALK TO:

• It could be someone in your department, a fellow

NQT or even someone at a different college!

• Discuss things that are going well / not so well…

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help / reassurance

• It’s healthy to let out frustrations and reflect on

strengths!

REFLECT:

We always tell students to do it but sometimes

there’s little time for a teacher to reflect on lessons

taught!

• Start up a blog

• Write a reflective journal

• Record your lessons and watch / listen to them back

• Student feedback – ‘exit slips’

DON’T BLAME YOURSELF:

• A student misbehaving, not completing homework

tasks, etc. isn’t always your fault.

• Don’t think that behavioural issues in class are

solely down to you

• Don’t let student’s see your nerves / stress!

ORGANISATION IS KEY:

• Don’t try to do too much – use your time well…

• Try to plan your lessons before the term starts:

You don’t want to spend all your free periods / time at home doing work!

• Plan for parents evening:

Give parents your student friendly SOW, make notes on attendance etc.

• Take nights off:

You have to stop working to allow some ‘you’ time…

Stress/Tiredness can have a negative impact on your teaching!

GET TO KNOW STAFF AND YOUR STUDENTS:• Make friends with the caretakers, cleaners, shop

assistants, etc. They see behind the scenes and really do know everything... most have been there for years!

• Get to know your students and track them so that you

can intervene and support when needed

• Give extension tasks for all so every learner has the ability to stretch and progress!

GET INVOLVED WITH COLLEGE LIFE:

• Join the staff social club (if you have one!)

• Make an impact - run your own enrichment

• Attend TeachMeets

• Go on college trips!

OBSERVATIONS:

Make space in your free periods to observe other

teachers / fellow NQT’s… it could be for just 30 mins!

• Observe lessons that aren’t in your area of teaching

• Get someone to informally observe you for feedback

• Pick something that you liked and try it out with your classes

• Don’t be afraid to experiment – test random things!

SET UP YOUR OWN PERSONAL NETWORK:

• Sharing / Receiving advice from other teachers online can help you develop your teaching practice!

ENJOY THE ‘BUZZ’ MOMENTS:

The best part of the job is when a student

understands what you have taught and excels in

their work…

• Save and enjoy these moments as the next lesson you can easily forget that ‘buzz’ when things aren’t going right!

KEY TIPS:

• Don’t feel obliged to conform – stick to who you are as a teacher… it’s why you got the job in the first place!

• Set yourself small targets to achieve throughout the year – you can’t change the world…

• Demand and expect support!

ANY QUESTIONS?