The summer is over, the school gates are open, and excitement levels are running high as schools return for the new academic year.
If you’re a newly qualified teacher you’ll have mixed emotions as you prepare to welcome learners into your own classroom for the very first time.
To help you along the way, we asked the SCEL community to share their top tips and advice for newly qualified teachers embarking on their first year at school.
Be the learner you want your pupils to be. Think critically and be on the alert for educational fads and holy grails. Remember that there’s no such thing as a daft question, either from yourself or from your pupils. #LetsTalkLeadership #SCEL
— Linda Bell (@Lindabell15) March 2, 2018
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Critically reflect, seek advice from others and move forward. Celebrate the successes as much as thinking about your challenges. This job is unlike any other and you have the ability to change lives for the better. #LetsTalkLeadership #SCEL
— Mr Beattie (@MrBeattieS) March 2, 2018
Be brave, and make sure your enthusiastic voice and fresh ideas are heard in school development conversations. #LetsTalkLeadership #SCEL
— Mark Wilson (@mr_markwilson) March 1, 2018
Ask for help, discuss, collaborate, this is a sign of strength, questioning why and what impact will it have on my learners. Say no when needed, teachers need to question, be innovative and try things out not just followers, all teachers are leaders. #scel#letstalkleadership
— Andrew Bailey (@andrewkbailey13) March 2, 2018
Don’t be afraid to love the children. If you can’t nurture them, you’ll never teach them. #LetsTalkLeadership #SCEL
— Nova Scott (@NovaLauderScott) March 2, 2018
#LetsTalkLeadership dont be afraid to ask for help. Teaching is constantly evolving and moving and we need to move with it.
— Mr. Polatajko (@Barry__P) March 2, 2018
It’s ok to need to stop and breathe. Don’t be afraid to ask for help/ ideas/ support. Teaching can be overwhelming and that can sometimes make it difficult to spin all those plates. Likewise, don’t be afraid to share your ideas/ help/ support #SCEL #letstalkleadership
— Jenny Harvey (@relativism) March 2, 2018
Keep learning, keep asking questions and enjoy the classroom it really is the best place to be in education – don’t loose sight of that.#LetsTalkLeadership
— lyndsay mcroberts (@lyndsaymcr) March 3, 2018
Pace yourself, listen to and use your supporter as much as you can, enjoy the small successes that will lead to bigger ones and most of all enjoy yourself. #SCEL #letstalkleadership
— Susan Stewart (@Baking_Susan1) March 3, 2018
Every interaction should be viewed as a learning opportunity
— Jacqui Ward (@JacWard7) March 4, 2018
#LetsTalkLeadership #SCEL Always remain a learner
— George Gilchrist (@GilchristGeorge) March 2, 2018
#LetsTalkLeadership #SCEL In challenging classroom situations, confrontation never works, take the students aside, be kind and firm and find out whats really going on. Plus always maintain a sense of humour.
— Gaele Macfarlane (@gaelemorag) March 1, 2018
What advice would you give to new teachers? Tweet us @TeamSCEL with the hashtag #LetsTalkLeadership and let us know.