Standing at the start of a teaching career in Aotearoa, New Zealand can feel exciting and overwhelming in equal measure.
New teachers may feel passionate about making a difference, while wondering whether they’ll manage the demands of a busy classroom and keep their students engaged in learning.
Balancing lessons with assessment, reporting, emotional wellbeing, understanding neuro-diversity, challenging behaviour, communication with whānau, cultural responsiveness and learning how to navigate changing school systems is all part of the job.
With such a steep learning curve from the start, new teachers are more adept at facing the challenges of the job with support from their colleagues and mentors. These experienced educators have much to teach based on many years of experience in the classroom and the community.
Advice from an experienced teacher
Jody Hayes is a Year 0 teacher and mentor at Grey Lynn School in Auckland with many years of teaching experience. Jody shares her insights on what would have been useful to know as a new teacher:
The first thing that comes to mind is that no matter how many years you have been teaching you are an important member of the team that makes the school successful and children want to come to school.
Many beginning teachers feel they have so much to learn and although this is true, they also bring the most up to date knowledge from the training they have just completed. Every teacher makes valuable contributions so be courageous and share your passions and talents with your school.
Teaching is an extremely rewarding career but no matter how hard you work or how organised you are there is always more you could do.
It is important to have a ‘must do’ and ‘nice to do’ series of lists or schedules, so that you don’t miss important deadlines, but just as importantly, don’t burn yourself out. You will overhear conversations where people discuss how few hours you work and how many holidays you have.
Try to ignore these types of conversations as anyone who knows a teacher knows that this is just not true. Find a work flow that suits you and make sure you include social and family time in your week.
In the first two years you will catch every flu, cold or illness going – this is why you are given extra sick leave in the beginning of your career. It is easy to feel stressed about how often you are ill but know all your colleagues have had the same experience and they understand.
You need to become the best recycler and collector for all your art and interactive lessons to engage your learners so don’t be shy about asking others to collect things for you or donate items for class. People are really happy to support and contribute if they know that their efforts will be appreciated. Whānau love to come into class and share their talents so make spaces for them to do this and enrich your students’ learning experiences.
Keep any notes or emails that are messages of support, celebration or thanks. On your hardest days, when you are doubting yourself, get these out and read them. Teaching is a job where even when you give your all there will be criticism and comments that hurt.
The things that your students and their whānau will remember you for are the experiences you create, the way you make them feel like they are part of your class whānau and how you care for them. Your students will make the most learning progress when they feel safe, happy and valued.
The learning opportunities and experiences don’t need to be big and expensive – something hands on and out of the usual routine can be lots of fun.
Keep learning, read professional articles and take every opportunity to see other teachers in action as this is the best way to refine and improve your skills. Once you are a fully qualified teacher, your qualification can take you in many different directions as the skills you will have gained are valued by lots of industries.
Most of all enjoy your teaching, as you and your class spend most of their week day waking moments together. Laugh and tell stories. Teaching is a social job, be part of the team. Contribute what you can, participate in everything and lean on others when needed.
The importance of mentors for new teachers
As an experienced member of the Grey Lynn School teaching staff, Jody has taken on the role of mentor for new teachers. Mentorship is an important part of the registration process for all new teachers.
Through mentoring, teachers gain a thorough understanding of both their school community and their role within it. Jody tells us about the benefits of mentoring:
You are allocated a mentor who is there to be your go to person. They will encourage you, provide a listening ear and sort you out with what you need to be successful in the classroom in the beginning. This is a really important relationship and you can do your part by being open and honest about how you are feeling.
As you progress, your mentor will expect you to take the lead in your teaching decisions. The journey to full registration is not always straightforward as life can throw you a few curve balls so remember that your mentor is walking with you, no matter the detours or challenges.
Your mentor will walk alongside you, and will be like the proudest parent when you graduate to be a fully registered teacher.
If I knew what I do now when I started out teaching, I would still become a teacher as it really is a creative, flexible and rewarding career.
