5 Strategies for beginning teachers to use
A hollow feeling fuelled by self-doubt often fills beginning teachers as they step in front of a class for the first time. The first years of teaching are a struggle for teachers as they discover and develop their practice as a professional, unearthing a variety of unthought-of of issues and difficulties.
This article provides some suggestions for teachers to not only survive the first year, but to thrive and develop confidence. Divided into five headings, the article aims to provide strategies for teachers to stay healthy; develop successful networks; be prepared for all that comes their way; mark their mark at a professional; and manage students.
Looking after Yourself
If you don’t look after yourself, no-one will. Teachers become so dedicated at their profession, that they over dedicate themselves to lesson preparation, chasing down resources, and marking, that they leave too little time for themselves.
In the early years of teaching, rest is one of the most valuable resources a teacher can have. You need to make rest a priority, without it you will not be able to teach to your potential, letting down yourself and your students.
In addition to sleep, take the advice to eat well and exercise. As the first-year progresses, fatigue rolls in with all the sicknesses that students bring. Don’t wait until you get the flu to commit to taking care of yourself, start from the beginning.
Occasionally you need to take some time off, to regenerate. You will need the school holidays in your first year, just to recover from teaching. Don’t plan huge holidays, but refreshing breaks.
As important as a social life is, you need to ensure that you don’t over indulge yourself outside of school. By limiting outside activities to one or two activities, you can ensure balance in life, as well as staying connected with the community, while ensuring you look after yourself.
Take time to do something for yourself. Join a club, read a book, get some exercise. Something away from school, to energise you, while giving you a mental break.
Building Networks
There is an image in the profession that teachers are an island, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Collaboration can help new teachers avoid isolation and find sources of support. Mentors can share their wisdom and expertise, to help you navigate the politics and difficulties of teaching.
When looking for a mentor, avoid teachers that are sad or jaded, rather look for hopeful and positive mentors. Stay away from negative people, as they will drag you down. Through observing effective teachers, you will learn many pedagogical skills, routines and procedures.
A mentor can help you know expectations of the school, and procedures for daily routines, such as how to organise a sick day, how the school deals with behavioural issues, weather policies. If in doubt, ask.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness, but rather a recognition that you still have much to learn in the journey of being a professional educator. Don’t compare yourself to other teachers, they are at different points of a journey, rather learn how to become better communicators, more effective in your student management, and an excellent teacher.
Get to know the administrative staff, cleaners and aides. These people have influence in the school, and may be called on at times for help or to clean up a mess. Show your appreciation for them.
Young teachers, filled with self-doubt, often have difficulties going to the principal. There are sometimes feelings of guilt for sending difficult students to the office. Principals generally want to support teachers, and are normally available to share their expertise.
Through developing relationships with staff, you are building community in the school, that will support you when difficulties arise. Take the time, to make connections with others, knock on their doors, and invite them into your classroom. Catch up with staff after school. Share a cup of coffee.
Get Organised
Plan, Plan, Plan. There is so much happening in a classroom and a school, that you will need an effective and flexible plan. Things will change, problems arise, technology will fail, some lessons will take much longer, while others will leave you trying to fi ll in time. The way around is to have an effective plan.
Use term, weekly and daily plans, to layout school events, your curriculum plans. Allow time for changes due to things that jump up. Involve experienced teachers in your planning.
Time is the one commodity that teachers need to manage well. The mindset that teachers have plenty of time, is false. Teachers have limited time to plan, mark, teacher and everything else in life that everyone has. Ensure that you manage your time better, else you will be buried in work.
Beginning teachers face a flood of deadlines and due dates. From requests for paperwork, to marking assignments, staying on top of it all can be a constant battle. Assign time for marking and completing paperwork. I found that planning time to complete paper work after school one or two afternoons a week a very effective process.
Through networking with other teachers, you will be presented with many ideas. Steal ideas for others. There is a breath of curriculum, quizzes, and worksheets available, you do not need to create your own. The key here is to steal the best ideas from the best.
Teachers can be buried in paperwork. It is important to know what paperwork is required, what needs to be documented. Ensure that you get a copy of paperwork. Take time each day to document everything, and complete necessary paperwork. A good strategy for teachers is to reflect on a regular basis, what worked well, and what could be improved. Again, if you are unsure what documentation to fill in, ask.
Get Involved
There are any things happening within a school. From social clubs, sporting teams, musicals, camps. It is good to be involved, learn the skills involved in organising and running events. This needs to be balanced though.
A beginning teacher has their plate full of planning, organising and surviving. It is okay to say “NO” to some things. Be selective with your time and energy about what you will invest in. Be sure that you can complete well, what you commit too.
Do get involved in staff meetings, and good professional development. Every school has a budget for PD, with many schools having an additional budget for beginning teachers. Do not be afraid to ask to attend PD, and if there are funds available for your learning and development.
Manage Students and their Parents
Set aside time to talk with your students. Through building meaningful relationships with students, you can tailor your teaching to their needs, and reduce behavioural issues. There are opportunities to interact with students across a variety of topics, in playground, on excursions, as well as during extra curricula activities. You’ll learn much about the students from the jokes and stories.
Remember that students do not leave their home and social lives at the door. They may come to class burdened with issues from home and personal problems. As teachers, we need to be constantly considering this.
We need therefore to be proactive when it comes to student problems. Instead of dealing with the immediate issue, take the time to explore deeper what is happening and why.
Parents can be frightening for new teachers. Teachers need to be aware, that most parents are just afraid of teachers. Make your classroom a welcoming place for parents. Communicate regularly and in a variety of ways to teachers.
Parents are just as interested in their children as you are, and generally have high hopes and dreams for them. It is easiest to build relationships with parents at the beginning of the school year. Hold an information afternoon, to get to know parents. Send out emails or notes to parents regularly, letting them know what students are doing in the classroom.
Your first few years of teaching doesn’t have to be hard. Rather build relationships and strategies to develop the resilience that you will need for the many challenges that lay ahead.
Fall in love with teaching, with making a change in the lives of students, and the people around you. Take the situations and events, turn them around to make it relevant to your students and daily life.
Enjoy the journey of teaching. It is a wonderful journey of ups and downs. It is the journey that we take that counts, not the unknown destination at the end.
Have fun, make mistakes and learn from them, rest and recover, and have an excellent year.