15 tips to help new teachers succeed!

posted by Kate - 12:31 14/09/10

It is a daunting time for children and a nervous time for parents. But for teachers too this new school year brings a mix of excitement and anticipation. For them it is a refreshing opportunity, a new term and a new beginning especially for those in their first teaching post! In fact for the new teacher this can be a nerve wrecking experience.

So what do I know about anything. Well, I still remember the feeling well, even after 26 years of teaching! I speak from experience when I say that teachers up and down the country will be striking the balance between setting ground rules while encouraging independence, providing a sense of stability yet allowing a creative environment, giving the children security but nurturing the freedom to learn.

This is what good teachers excel at.

So what tips can I suggest for you?

1. Plan in advance- make sure you are prepared and have everything you need for your  lessons, at least for the morning -don’t forget to print out enough resources
2. Be ready to think on your feet, if something isn’t working, scrap it and do something else (review later what might have gone wrong, sometimes even the best ideas do!)
3. Keep things simple and manageable
4. Use the internet to find resources, there are many freely available to you –e.g. www.themouseclub.co.uk; www.funtosave.org are both great sites for younger children and there is plenty of free information and games on http://www.rnli.org.uk/shorething/ for 7-14 year olds. Teaching drugs education? - try www.lookouttobacco.co.uk. All these sites come with useful lesson plans too. *
5. Get familiar with the  resources that you feel comfortable with and suit your learning and delivery style
6. Think outside the box
7. Don’t try to be a friend – mutual respect needs to be earned from both sides
8. Be firm but fair
9. Be professional
10. Listen to what other teachers have to say, they will have tons of experience for you to draw on
11. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice
12. Don’t give yourself a hard time, make sure you set aside some me time, you deserve it
13. Learn from your mistakes, nobody is perfect, things can go wrong for even the most experienced teachers
14. Engage with parents and encourage them to get involved with their child’s learning
15. Keep things in perspective, you can only do so much in the 168 hours you have in a week so make sure some of that time is spent on you!

And above all, enjoy the rewards – there is nothing quite like the feeling you get when the penny drops and a child who has been trying so hard to understand a particular concept suddenly sits back and says ‘I’ve got it!’ 

Whatever else you can be sure that over the course of the next few weeks parents across the country will quickly come to realise that there are very many good teachers and each one really is worth their weight in gold, just like you!

Have a great year and enjoy!

*Sites for young children in nursery and KS1:

www.themouseclub.co.uk

www.funtosave.org

Sites for primary school children:

www.lookoutalcohol.co.uk

www.lookouttobacco.co.uk

www.rnli.org.uk/shorething/ also good for lower KS3

www.pride123.co.uk also good for lower KS3

Sites for secondary pupils:

www.wherestheline.co.uk