Starting your teaching journey? Congratulations! Your first year can be incredibly exciting, but it’s also completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed. After all, you’re embarking on one of the most rewarding (and sometimes challenging) careers. But don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through those early days with a few tried-and-true tips to help you settle in and thrive as an early career teacher.
Build Strong Relationships
In teaching, relationships are everything. Creating positive connections with your students, colleagues, and parents will make all the difference in your classroom experience. Building trust early sets the tone for a supportive and engaged learning environment.
Take some time to really get to know your students beyond their academic abilities. Spend a few minutes each day chatting about their hobbies, interests, or weekend plans. Understanding their personalities and what motivates them will help you tailor your teaching approach to better support their progress.
It’s also important to establish a positive relationship with parents or guardians. A great way to start is by sending a warm, introductory letter or email at the beginning of the year. Share a bit about yourself and your teaching philosophy, and invite them to reach out with any questions or concerns. You can also host a short meeting during the first week to explain how your classroom works, key dates, and general expectations. Building these connections early fosters a strong support network around your students.
Stay Organised
The key to managing the many demands of teaching is organisation. From lesson planning to marking, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you don’t have a system in place.
A great way to start is by creating a weekly lesson plan template. Outline your objectives, materials, and activities for each day. Digital tools like Google Drive or OneNote can be lifesavers here, allowing you to store and access your plans from anywhere. Don’t hesitate to make use of pre-existing resources, such as the school’s curriculum schemes—there’s no need to reinvent the wheel!
To keep your classroom running smoothly, set up a ‘resource station’ where the children can easily access materials like pencils and rulers. You can even involve the students by assigning them roles to help keep the station organised. This not only encourages responsibility but also makes them feel like active participants in maintaining a tidy, efficient classroom.
Marking
Marking can pile up quickly, but staying on top of it helps avoid that dreaded feeling of being overwhelmed. A handy tip is to try real-time marking by giving students feedback as they work. It’s not only efficient but also makes feedback more meaningful. At the end of the day, set aside an hour to tackle any outstanding marking so you can stay on track and provide timely feedback. The use of coloured highlighters is a must here (in line with the school’s marking policy of course!)
Stay Open to Feedback
As a new teacher, you’re not expected to have all the answers right away, and that’s okay! Being open to feedback, especially from more experienced colleagues, can help you grow faster in your role. Your mentor will be an invaluable resource, so don’t hesitate to lean on their advice.
For example, if you’re struggling with classroom management, ask a seasoned teacher for their strategies. They might recommend specific rewards systems or suggest a new seating arrangement to improve focus. Implement their suggestions and follow up to discuss how things are going—this back-and-forth can offer fresh perspectives and insights you may not have considered.
Remember, feedback isn’t criticism. It’s an opportunity to learn and evolve, which is a natural part of your teaching journey.
Prioritise Self-Care
Teaching is an incredibly rewarding profession, but it can also be demanding. To be at your best in the classroom, you need to take care of yourself outside of it. Prioritising self-care is essential for long-term success and preventing burnout.
Set boundaries for yourself—decide on a time in the evening to stop working and stick to it. Dedicate your weekends to rest and recharge, whether that means spending time with loved ones, going for a walk, or reading a good book. Even taking just one evening a week to attend a club or do something you love can make a big difference.
Incorporating self-care into the classroom can also benefit both you and your students. Consider starting the day with short mindfulness exercises or stretching activities. These moments of calm can help set a positive tone for the day and support everyone’s well-being.
Lastly, a golden rule: Keep your work emails off your phone! This simple boundary can help you unwind and keep a healthy work-life balance.
Set Realistic Goals
It’s easy to feel like there’s always more to do when you’re just starting out, but it’s important to remember that you don’t need to do it all at once. Setting realistic goals can help you stay focused and manage your workload more effectively.
Start by making a list of your tasks for the week, then prioritise them. Tackle the most important items first and work your way down. And don’t worry if you don’t get through everything—accept that some things can wait. Focus on what truly benefits your students and let the rest follow naturally.
Support For Early Career Teachers
At Apple A Day Supply, we’re here to support early career teachers just like you. Our team of experienced education recruiters understands the challenges you face because we’ve been there too. Whether you need advice on behaviour management, lesson planning, or finding your first teaching role, we’re here to help every step of the way. Remember, teaching is a journey, and you don’t have to go it alone—we’ve got your back!
