Novice Teacher Survival Guide
Is it your first year teaching? Welcome to education and thrilled to pass on a few tips! I am going to be 100% honest with you. Your first years teaching will be a whirlwind of a challenge.
You're going to to some things well and that's going to feel amazing!
You're going to make mistakes, it's going to feel disappointing, and you're going to learn from them.
I've been teaching Early Childhood for thirteen years at international schools and remember those first few years. My first year teaching I had a constant case of the sniffles and boarder line exhaustion all the time...but I loved every minute of it! I've put together a few tips and an infographic for novice teachers. I hope that it is helpful!
Survival Advice
Please, don't be too hard on yourself and remember to exercise self-care. Pace yourself, take breaks, and know that no one is perfect! Burn out is real and avoidable.
Look for mentors and don't be afraid to ask them questions. It is okay that you don't have all the answers. Experienced teachers remember what it is like to be a novice teacher and want to help.
Keep an open-mind, be reflective about your practice, and keep learning. The only way to improve is to reflect on your practice and continue your own education. One great method of doing this is by observing other teachers and considering how you could use or adapt their strategies.
Two of the most challenging areas for novice teachers are classroom management and differentiation. Check out this infographic for more tips in these areas.
