Don’t smile until Christmas. Know your Bjork (memory researchers Elizabeth and Robert Bjork, not to be confused with the Icelandic singer-songwriter), be nice to caretakers, don’t take criticism too harshly, find time for friends, learn where the good coffee is kept.
Yes, it’s that time again - that magical point in the dying embers of the summer holidays when everyone has a piece of advice for the newly qualified teacher starting in the classroom next month. And there’s never been a better time for getting hints and tips (see #NQTtips on Twitter for more).
It’s wonderful to be part of such a generous and kind profession (despite the occasional blips on social media). And it’s reassuring that there’s help out there, because standing in front of a class for the first time is daunting. Standing there all alone, surveying the wider landscape, is even more so.
The media has whipped itself up into its now-usual frenzy over A-level and GCSE results, and NQTs have to face the negativity surrounding the profession their peers have had to cope with on a daily basis for years. On top of that, they are overwhelmed with information from their courses.
So spare a thought for them as they try to process all this advice, especially when so much of it is conflicting.
Should primary teachers take care of their display boards or rip them from the walls? That depends on who you are listening to. Is the research around motivation as solid as it should be? Again, it depends on the source. Should you incorporate play into your learning? Surely no one outside of academia has the time or energy to wade through the different points of view on that one.
They will also have competing research claims thrown at them, countless agendas promoted and different ideological tribes beckoning them to join. It’s a lot to take in.
And these new teachers will be expected to hit the ground running like never before.
NQTs need space to grow
A crisis in recruitment and retention, coupled with a hefty old budget crisis, has left schools heavily reliant on new teachers - without having the resource to support them with CPD and appropriate guidance (just take a look at this piece if you want to understand the mind-boggling stresses some NQTs experience in their first year: “My vulnerable pupils won’t be able to handle GCSE stress”, bit.ly/GCSEStress).
These teachers are the future of the profession, but there’s seemingly little time for them to find their own voice, their own style, their own truths. Instead of being able to splash around and gain confidence, we throw them in at the deep end and see if they can swim.
Too often, however, they will sink, and is that really surprising? Diversity of ideology, of approach, of opinion, is what makes education such a vibrant place to be. But it can be confusing, too. Social media is a great place to get information, but it can be overwhelming and sometimes even frightening. And one important thing new teachers need to remember is that just because someone is great at social media, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a great teacher. Some of those dishing out the advice are no longer in the classroom, often for good reason.
Of course NQTs need advice, support and information, but they also need help in filtering it. But what they need most of all is the room to grow. It takes time to become the teacher they want to be and it also takes space.
NQTs are entering a tough profession under a lot of pressure and strain, but it’s one that is, on the whole, filled with kindness and joy.
So to all you new starters, good luck, have fun and be kind to others. But most of all, be kind to yourself. We need you.
@AnnMroz
