1) Have high expectations of the children. Not just with behaviour but the work they produce too. Get the students to work harder than you do.
2) Go easy on yourself if it doesn’t work first time. You learn through mistakes and don’t be afraid to try new things.
3) Remember your ‘why’. Keep a little notebook of ‘little’ good things that happen each week. These can range from a ‘Eureka moment’ or getting 30 Grade 9s in your class to having a student say you’re their favourite teacher. Then when you’re going through a tricky period, have a read just to remind you of your ‘why’.
4) Teaching is subjective. Just because someone else teaches something one way, doesnt mean it will look or be the same for you. Do you. Be you. Trust your instincts. You know your children. Try it. Tweak it. Figure out who you are as a teacher and don’t forget to reflect!
5) Believe that you know what you’re doing because you do. We all need advice at times but you do know your stuff.
6) Set boundaries. For example, no working on a Friday night and Saturday. On a Friday, tidy up and go home. You’ve done enough and you need to start the weekend. Try to avoid that guilt by thinking Saturday is your ‘well-being’ day.
7) Pace yourself and enjoy it! Make sure you don’t volunteer for too many things at once. Your NQT phase will be tough so try not to overstretch yourself.
8) This too will pass. It’s equally as difficult as your PGCE year, but after NQT it WILL become easier. Teaching is a rollercoaster of emotions but the good times will outweigh the bad.