Blog

Whether you’re just starting your career, or you are moving to a different school, being a new teacher in a new environment can be daunting. Teaching can be an incredibly rewarding and gratifying job! Knowing you’re able to help a child develop their skills and abilities is a feeling like no other as a teacher. However, there are a few mistakes new teachers often make – many of which are made during their first few years in teaching.

Trying to be Down with the Kids

Many new teachers want to make a great first impression with their students, which is totally understandable. After all, everyone wants to be liked! If you try to be too nice or too cool, you can often become seen as the teacher that’s a pushover in the classroom. So, to make sure that this doesn’t happen to you, set clear expectations from the very beginning. Be friendly and firm, but also ensure that your pupils know you’re there to do a job. Building rapport with students will help you create the perfect balance.

Missing Deadlines that You’ve Set

One of the worst things a new teacher can do is to miss a deadline but then expect all of their students to have their work handed in on time. Yes, teaching is a very demanding profession and can be incredibly time consuming. If you ask for something to be on your desk by Monday, try letting your students know when to expect your feedback to be delivered. It’s important that you’re realistic about this, as pupils may start to believe that they can be late with their work if you’re late with yours. If you’re struggling with grading work, read our blog on how to make marking manageable.

Get to Know Your Students

Something that’s said too much is “I remember faces but not names”. Well, as a teacher, you can’t get away with that. It’s important for you to get to know each one of your students. You want to be looking at them as individuals rather than a class. Get students to wear name tags and run an introduction session so that you can get to know them and they can get to know you.

Do’s and Don’ts of Being a New Teacher

The above are just 3 of the most common mistakes new teachers often make. Here are some general do’s and don’ts:

• Don’t relax your classroom rules

• Don’t teach without a

   

  lesson plan

• Don’t forget to communicate

• Don’t bring your home life into the school

• Don’t have a favourite student

• Don’t take what students say personally

• Do speak to other teachers

• Do reach out to a parent/career when necessary

• Do take time for yourself

• Do set your own goals

REESON Education has more than 10 years of experience in recruitment. We’re a leading agency that helps aspiring teachers find their feet in the industry. So, if you’re looking for a London teaching job or an international teaching job, we can assist you.