Let's Talk About... How to Survive the First Year of Teaching!

Survival Tips for the First Year of Teaching

Written by - Kayren Clarkson @mrs_clarkson_

So, I’m still pretty new to teaching myself, September will bring the beginning of my third year. I still get nervous now and I’m constantly learning new things every day but nothing compares to that first year. I remember standing at the front of my classroom with twenty-four little faces looking at me expectantly and me thinking can I actually do this? The answer is yes though of course, you can do it and that’s why you’re here! Now, I’m far from an expert but here’s a few things I’ve learnt along the way…



Ask questions…no matter how silly they might seem!

I will never forget my first week in a school, I actually asked the class teacher how to use a hole punch! It wasn’t your usual kind and by asking, I got the information that I needed and also found out that I wasn’t the only one confused by the contraption. In the first year of teaching you will have soooo many questions. How does this work? What time is…? What does that stand for? Don’t ever feel like you have to know everything! The more unanswered questions you have, the more confused you will feel as time goes by. Teaching is a constant learning journey and everyone was new once. Just ask!



Building Relationships

It’s only right to feel nervous when you’re the newbie. I remember sitting in the staff meeting on my first day and giving everyone an awkward red-faced wave when my name was mentioned. Luckily my key stage partner found me and befriended me straight away. It’s hard if, like me, you aren’t much of a social butterfly but say good morning to everyone on the way in (even when you’re tired and grumpy), go and sit in the staff room at dinner, I know it feels like you don’t have time but take the break and share your day. Find like-minded teachers and be social. It might be awkward at first but involve yourself as much as possible and make yourself part of the team. Having other teachers to talk to is an absolute necessity, because as much as you love your parents or your partner, unless they have taught themselves, they won’t get it…at all.



Lists

Lists are THE best teacher tool ever. It doesn’t need to be neat and tidy, you will rewrite it, scribble on it and then throw it away. I use my diary for week to week notes and events then my mac book stickies tool for day to day tasks and other bits. I find it useful to have my list on my computer as it’s always close to hand and I can jot things down and delete them quickly.







When I began teaching, I thought that everything needed to be done and dusted. That my aim was to get to the end of my to do list. Top Tip: A to do list is never done! There is always something else, prioritise your tasks by their importance, can it wait? The things that need to be done will be done on time.



Have Fun

I was always told that your first year of teaching is the perfect year to take risks! Now, I don’t mean giving all of your Year 1’s bunsen burners…but experimenting with new teaching strategies. Most of things you try this year will be new and what if they go wrong? That’s fine! Nothing is ever perfect! Reflect on it, learn from it and move onto the next. Now is the perfect time to find your own unique teaching style. Do those WOW lessons you’ve always wanted to try, take the whole lesson outside, make learning as colourful and exciting as you can!



Look after yourself

As a new teacher it is so easy to get carried away, working all kinds of crazy hours of the day, slaving over pretty resources, spending hours planning ‘the best lessons ever’. A few tips I’ve picked up…lessons shouldn’t take longer to plan than the teaching time, children don’t notice if your resources are perfectly trimmed and you need to be well to teach well! Don’t push yourself until you have ground yourself down. The first year is the prime time for new germs to creep in. Drink water, sleep well and don’t feel bad for needing the toilet! We are only human. Try to take a full day to yourself at the weekend, I keep my Saturday as my work free day. The world won’t end because you haven’t opened your laptop for a whole day, your emails will still be there the next day.







Remember why you started in the first place

I don’t know about you but I definitely didn’t become a teacher for the wage or the crazy working hours…I did it to try and change young lives for the better. On your hardest days, remember even the smallest triumphs…Thomas wrote all of his letters the right way around…Lily can count in her tens…Adam was excited to come to school. It’s so easy to lose your way with observations and deadlines but remember you do it for all of those little humans that look up to you for guidance and support. Teaching has never and will never be easy but when you get through that first year and see how those children have grown, it gives you the greatest sense of achievement. Your first class will always be your favourites because that was the year you made it even when you thought you wouldn’t!