Thread by @FunkyPedagogy

Lots of nervous NQTs out there... for what it’s worth this is my advice for your first week:

1. Keep lessons SIMPLE! You won’t get through everything you’ve planned, so keep it straightforward and save fancy pants stuff with bells on for when you are settled and know your groups

2. Find out IMMEDIATELY:
- how to photocopy
- where the guillotine is kept
- how tea/coffee works
- how to get in and out of the building at different times of the day

3. Get organised. Plan what you will do in each PPA slot and for the time you are at work before and after school. Stick to it as far as possible, but don’t beat yourself up if you struggle. Ask for help EARLY if you feel your workload is too high.

4. Identify the drains and the radiators. Some people can’t help being negative and pulling your mood down too. It can be exhausting if you’re already stressed. Find the people who radiate warmth, make you smile and offer practical solutions.

5. Build good relationships with the support staff. Caretakers, cleaners, lunch staff, receptionists - anyone who isn’t classroom based. They are some of the most important people in the school, and tend to offer a much needed different perspective. Make friends everywhere!

6. Everyone has different ways of doing the first lesson. I prefer to do a very quick introduction (who I am), set homework (with clear expectations) for the first fortnight, then start teaching straight away.

7. Remember, you will feel outrageously stressed, but the world doesn’t revolve around you. Your colleagues are also stressed - they’ve been where you are and now they have full timetables and more responsibility. Be a colleague - support others as much as you ask for help.

8. Students have very short memories. You might have a horrible lesson one day, but if you forgive yourself, move on and smile at them the next day, they will forget. Teenagers tend to be too self-absorbed to have time to actively dislike their teachers... 😂

9. Workload is something you will take a while to figure out. My general rule is that, if I’m in early, I don’t stay late. If I stay late, I don’t take work home that evening. I don’t look at emails after 5:30pm in the week, or at all on weekends.

10. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty jug! Plan fun things to do on week nights and weekends. Be kind to yourself. If you live with other teachers, GET OUT AND GET SOME SPACE every now and then!

I’m sure many of my esteemed colleagues on here could add more ideas... @ITTteamenglish @LTUPGCE