100 Tips for NQTs (Now ects!)
I set myself the challenge to tweet 100 tips for new teachers, before the publication of a new edition of my book for new teachers. And I succeeded - hurrah! The tips are below. The fourth edition of 'How to Survive your First Year in Teaching' was published in May 2023.
Tip No.1: Be kind to yourself. You will make mistakes (everyone does in their NQT year). Learn to forgive yourself.
Tip No.2: Don't spend your summer doing lots of planning, before you even meet your class. Get to know them a bit first.
Tip No.3: Keep a look out for cheap or free resources over the summer - at charity shops, in the garden, at the beach.
Tip No.4: Think long and hard about what you expect from your kids. Get your 3 key priorities clear in your mind before day one.
Tip No.5: Don't be scared to adapt your classroom layout - it's your classroom! Experiment with paper cut outs first though.
Tip No.6: If you're a secondary NQT, ask to do a pupil shadow. Really useful to see teachers from the student's perspective.
Tip No.7: Protect your voice. Catch yourself talking too much and find non verbal ways to 'speak' instead.
Tip No.8: Don't be a perfectionist. Learn to say 'that's good enough' and mean it.
Tip No.9: Keep a list of all those 'extras' you do in a little notebook. Really useful for future job applications.
Tip No.10: Pace yourself: this is a marathon, not a sprint. Save some energy for after Christmas.
Tip No.11: Of course you can smile before Christmas, just make sure it's an 'I'm in charge' smile not a 'I'm terrified' one.
Tip No.12: Be an eclectic magpie - steal ideas from everywhere you can, and experiment lots to see what works for you.
Tip No.13: Politeness matters! Watch where you sit in the staffroom, wash up your own tea cup and be friendly to office staff.
Tip No.14: Think back to your school days and those teachers who 'made a difference'. What did they do? Can you do the same?
Tip No.15: Have a 'pen on a rope' hanging round your neck, so you can do some quick marking as you move round the class.
Tip No.16: Figure out methods to help you learn and remember names - it's crucial for building relationships.
Tip No.17: Consistency is vital for dealing with behaviour: know what you want, and what will happen when you don't get it.
Tip No.18: Think ahead about report writing. The first set takes longer than you expect. Leave plenty of time to get them done.
Tip No.19: Set up a class blog, and get your children to update it daily or weekly. Great for ICT/writing/reflection/parents!
Tip No.20: Take care about what you post on the internet - as a teacher, you will have a reputation to uphold.
Tip No.21: Lesson plans are not 'set in stone' - view them as a flexible template, not a blueprint. Adapt to survive.
Tip No.22: Join a Union. They offer training, advice, protection and they give a crucial voice to our profession.
Tip No.23: If you only have time to read one school policy, make it the whole school behaviour policy. Study and assimilate!
Tip No.24: Focus on the wider world, as well as on your class. Read lots: subject related, pedagogy, education blogs, news.
Tip No.25: When you get a job, fit in a summer term visit to the school. Pick up paperwork, meet your mentor, see your classroom.
Tip No.26: Book a cheap holiday somewhere warm for the February half term and don't take any marking with you (we did Cyprus!)
Tip No.27: Don't talk over your students, ever. It's the hardest tip to follow, but quite possibly the most important.
Tip No.28: Not all lessons can be engaging, but if behaviour is a problem, it's a priority. Make them forget to misbehave.
Tip No.29: When things go pear shaped, stay calm, breathe and don't over react. Even in your worst lesson, nobody died.
Tip No.30: Get involved with at least one extra curricular activity - a great way to really get to know the kids.
Tip No.31: Focus on creating a great relationship with your mentor. Listen to advice, ask for support, share ideas.
Tip No.32: When a lesson goes badly, don't go 'oh forget that one'. Think: what went wrong, why, what can you change next time?
Tip No.33: When a lesson goes well, pat yourself on the back, then think: why did it work, how can I replicate it another time?
Tip No.34: Practice your 'first lesson speech' in the mirror. If you don't have a 'first lesson speech', figure one out now.
Tip No.35: Figure out your 3 key expectations. How is your classroom going to run? What behaviours matter to you?
Tip No.36: Someone has to be in charge. If it's not you, then it will be the most difficult kids. Be the adult in the room.
Tip No.37: You are human: you will shout and get cross. But be aware that it never really changes or improves anything.
Tip No.38: You will like some kids more than others. Some will irritate you. The secret is - never let it show!
Tip No.39: Don't believe the hype. Listen to colleagues, advisors, inspectors then do what you believe is best for your kids.
Tip No.40: Put yourself in your kids' shoes: sometimes school's boring, sometimes kids misbehave. It's not always about you.
Tip No.41: Get structures, patterns and routines into place early on. They save you time and energy, and they improve behaviour.
Tip No.42: Every child is an individual, with feelings, fears, hopes and dreams. Focus on 'the child' as well as 'the class'.
Tip No.43: Take risks in your teaching - your first year is the best year to be experimental. Read this: http://bit.ly/X6fAXf
Tip No.44: Let parents and carers know how they can help and support you - most just want the best for their child.
Tip No.45: Watch out for that 'To Do' pile, it grows alarmingly quickly. Be ruthless in dealing with paperwork.
Tip No.46: Rule 1: 'B' is for bin; Rule 2: Deal with it or pass it on; Rule 3: Will I use it again? (yes = file it, no = bin it).
Tip No.47: Teaching is not just an intellectual occupation, it's also physical (you'll get tired), emotional & creative as well.
Tip No.48: You will feel nervous about your first parents' consultation evening, don't worry, the parents are scared too.
Tip No.49: It takes all kinds of teachers to make a school - don't be too judgmental about other people's approaches.
Tip No.50: No matter how tough it gets, never ever forget: you are doing the best job in the world.
Tip No.51: Get to know your SENCO, he or she can give you great tips and advice for supporting individual children.
Tip No.52: If your situation allows, stay at school until you've finished work each day. Urge to get home is a great motivator.
Tip No.53: Practice your 'teacher look', aka 'the deadly stare'. Your eyes/face can say more than your voice ever will.
Tip No.54: Take your breaks. OK, I know how hard this is to do, but you will be more effective in the classroom if you do.
Tip No.55: 'Marking' isn't always something you do with a pen for the kids at home: use a variety of assessment techniques.
Tip No.56: Learn the value of target setting - it gives pace, purpose and a sense of forward momentum to a lesson.
Tip No.57: A great rule of thumb for the length of concentration on one task is child's age +2, get feedback after this time.
Tip No.58: Become an expert on the special needs of the children in your class - read up, take a course, SEN matters.
Tip No.59: Look after your voice: do a vocal warm-up at the start of the day, don't shout, sip water frequently.
Tip No.60: There is no 'silver bullet' so don't bother looking for it. Behaviour management in particular is very complex.
Tip No.61: Always think 'rewards' first, but be creative about it - find a free list of ideas here http://www.suecowley.co.uk/free-downloads.html
Tip No.62: Your face will 'speak' louder than your voice if you let it. Don't be afraid to make a bit of a fool of yourself!
Tip No.63: Schools reflect and support their local community - 'It takes a village to raise a child' - you're part of it now.
Tip No.64: Tone of voice really matters for engagement and learning. 'Hear' yourself speaking and develop your teacher 'sound'.
Tip No.65: Eye contact is a great way to 'connect' with students. Learn to scan your eyes around your classroom - 'be a camera'.
Tip No.66: Body language and use of space are key. 'Touch all four walls' of your classroom in every lesson.
Tip No.67: Find ways to 'mark' your classroom as your territory. Stand at the door and 'invite' students inside.
Tip No.68: Try teaching from the back of your classroom from time to time - this pushes students to really listen (no peeking!)
Tip No.69: Learn the art of 'selfish altruism'. Adults, fix your own oxygen masks first, before helping the children.
Tip No.70: When a child 'attacks' you by being rude or abusive, feel pity rather than anger. It's the most appropriate response.
Tip No.71: A pause is one of the most useful techniques you can use in your classroom. And while you're pausing, breathe!
Tip No.72: Have fun with displays - they are great for creativity and for boosting children's confidence. But change regularly.
Tip No.73: Join Twitter. Oh ... you did!
Tip No.74: Read some practical teaching guides to compliment all the theory you read at university. I've written a few :-)
Tip No.75: Smile! And do it well before Xmas. Just make sure it's a 'I'm relaxed and happy' smile not an 'I'm terrified' one.
Tip No.76: Differentiation isn't just about different tasks or outcomes for different children. Read up on other ways to do it.
Tip No.77: When you plan your teaching for the week, consider the marking workload you're creating as well.
Tip No.78: Deadlines really work, I have 5 days to reach my target of 100 tips and I will do it because of that target/deadline.
Tip No.79: Have some plants in your classroom - good for classroom atmosphere, multi-sensory, plus kids learn responsibility.
Tip No.80: Balance really matters - in workload, in lessons, in approaches to teaching, in attention you give to each child.
Tip No.81: One of the hardest things about behaviour management is balancing consistency with flexibility (aka humanity).
Tip No.82: Children have body clocks, just like adults. Take account of when they will be lively/tired in your teaching.
Tip No.83: Invite plenty of visitors to your classroom - great for the students, a 'lesson off' for you.
Tip No.84: If you're lucky enough to have your own classroom, then really make it your own. Stamp your personality on it.
Tip No.85: Flag up any potential SEN issues you spot, even if you're not sure. Don’t assume that someone else will do it.
Tip No.86: It sounds like a minor issue, but do encourage good posture: your students will be sitting an awful lot in school.
Tip No.87: It’s really hard to give clear instructions. Structure what you say and don’t give too much info at once.
Tip No.88: Find an interesting training course and ask if you can book onto it. Don’t wait for someone to offer. (They won't.)
Tip No.89: Sit in each seat in your classroom, to get a sense of how it looks from the students’ perspective.
Tip No.90: Never hand anything out yourself – use ‘volunteer tasks’ as a reward.
Tip No.91: If you give a sanction, you have to follow through. Be aware it may turn into an epic game of cat and mouse.
Tip No.92: Use detention time to talk with students about what the problem was and how to avoid it in future.
Tip No.93: Use your posture to suggest confidence and relaxation. Good posture is also important for your voice.
Tip No.94: Pre-empt behaviour you don’t want, by telling the students exactly what you do want.
Tip No.95: Decide what you’re going to do about lost/forgotten pens, and stick to it. Sounds a minor matter, but it matters.
Tip No.96: Don’t always set written homework – include research, photos, activities, discussions too. Less marking!
Tip No.97: Setting a test gives you a lesson off, but it also creates a lot of marking. Think ahead.
Tip No.98: Be visible around the corridors: a smile, a quick word, helps you build relationships.
Tip No.99: It’s not about what Ofsted say, ever. It’s about the daily experience for your children. Please never forget that.
Tip No.100: It’ll be stressful, it’ll be emotional, but it’ll never be boring. Remember to enjoy yourself!
Tip No.1: Be kind to yourself. You will make mistakes (everyone does in their NQT year). Learn to forgive yourself.
Tip No.2: Don't spend your summer doing lots of planning, before you even meet your class. Get to know them a bit first.
Tip No.3: Keep a look out for cheap or free resources over the summer - at charity shops, in the garden, at the beach.
Tip No.4: Think long and hard about what you expect from your kids. Get your 3 key priorities clear in your mind before day one.
Tip No.5: Don't be scared to adapt your classroom layout - it's your classroom! Experiment with paper cut outs first though.
Tip No.6: If you're a secondary NQT, ask to do a pupil shadow. Really useful to see teachers from the student's perspective.
Tip No.7: Protect your voice. Catch yourself talking too much and find non verbal ways to 'speak' instead.
Tip No.8: Don't be a perfectionist. Learn to say 'that's good enough' and mean it.
Tip No.9: Keep a list of all those 'extras' you do in a little notebook. Really useful for future job applications.
Tip No.10: Pace yourself: this is a marathon, not a sprint. Save some energy for after Christmas.
Tip No.11: Of course you can smile before Christmas, just make sure it's an 'I'm in charge' smile not a 'I'm terrified' one.
Tip No.12: Be an eclectic magpie - steal ideas from everywhere you can, and experiment lots to see what works for you.
Tip No.13: Politeness matters! Watch where you sit in the staffroom, wash up your own tea cup and be friendly to office staff.
Tip No.14: Think back to your school days and those teachers who 'made a difference'. What did they do? Can you do the same?
Tip No.15: Have a 'pen on a rope' hanging round your neck, so you can do some quick marking as you move round the class.
Tip No.16: Figure out methods to help you learn and remember names - it's crucial for building relationships.
Tip No.17: Consistency is vital for dealing with behaviour: know what you want, and what will happen when you don't get it.
Tip No.18: Think ahead about report writing. The first set takes longer than you expect. Leave plenty of time to get them done.
Tip No.19: Set up a class blog, and get your children to update it daily or weekly. Great for ICT/writing/reflection/parents!
Tip No.20: Take care about what you post on the internet - as a teacher, you will have a reputation to uphold.
Tip No.21: Lesson plans are not 'set in stone' - view them as a flexible template, not a blueprint. Adapt to survive.
Tip No.22: Join a Union. They offer training, advice, protection and they give a crucial voice to our profession.
Tip No.23: If you only have time to read one school policy, make it the whole school behaviour policy. Study and assimilate!
Tip No.24: Focus on the wider world, as well as on your class. Read lots: subject related, pedagogy, education blogs, news.
Tip No.25: When you get a job, fit in a summer term visit to the school. Pick up paperwork, meet your mentor, see your classroom.
Tip No.26: Book a cheap holiday somewhere warm for the February half term and don't take any marking with you (we did Cyprus!)
Tip No.27: Don't talk over your students, ever. It's the hardest tip to follow, but quite possibly the most important.
Tip No.28: Not all lessons can be engaging, but if behaviour is a problem, it's a priority. Make them forget to misbehave.
Tip No.29: When things go pear shaped, stay calm, breathe and don't over react. Even in your worst lesson, nobody died.
Tip No.30: Get involved with at least one extra curricular activity - a great way to really get to know the kids.
Tip No.31: Focus on creating a great relationship with your mentor. Listen to advice, ask for support, share ideas.
Tip No.32: When a lesson goes badly, don't go 'oh forget that one'. Think: what went wrong, why, what can you change next time?
Tip No.33: When a lesson goes well, pat yourself on the back, then think: why did it work, how can I replicate it another time?
Tip No.34: Practice your 'first lesson speech' in the mirror. If you don't have a 'first lesson speech', figure one out now.
Tip No.35: Figure out your 3 key expectations. How is your classroom going to run? What behaviours matter to you?
Tip No.36: Someone has to be in charge. If it's not you, then it will be the most difficult kids. Be the adult in the room.
Tip No.37: You are human: you will shout and get cross. But be aware that it never really changes or improves anything.
Tip No.38: You will like some kids more than others. Some will irritate you. The secret is - never let it show!
Tip No.39: Don't believe the hype. Listen to colleagues, advisors, inspectors then do what you believe is best for your kids.
Tip No.40: Put yourself in your kids' shoes: sometimes school's boring, sometimes kids misbehave. It's not always about you.
Tip No.41: Get structures, patterns and routines into place early on. They save you time and energy, and they improve behaviour.
Tip No.42: Every child is an individual, with feelings, fears, hopes and dreams. Focus on 'the child' as well as 'the class'.
Tip No.43: Take risks in your teaching - your first year is the best year to be experimental. Read this: http://bit.ly/X6fAXf
Tip No.44: Let parents and carers know how they can help and support you - most just want the best for their child.
Tip No.45: Watch out for that 'To Do' pile, it grows alarmingly quickly. Be ruthless in dealing with paperwork.
Tip No.46: Rule 1: 'B' is for bin; Rule 2: Deal with it or pass it on; Rule 3: Will I use it again? (yes = file it, no = bin it).
Tip No.47: Teaching is not just an intellectual occupation, it's also physical (you'll get tired), emotional & creative as well.
Tip No.48: You will feel nervous about your first parents' consultation evening, don't worry, the parents are scared too.
Tip No.49: It takes all kinds of teachers to make a school - don't be too judgmental about other people's approaches.
Tip No.50: No matter how tough it gets, never ever forget: you are doing the best job in the world.
Tip No.51: Get to know your SENCO, he or she can give you great tips and advice for supporting individual children.
Tip No.52: If your situation allows, stay at school until you've finished work each day. Urge to get home is a great motivator.
Tip No.53: Practice your 'teacher look', aka 'the deadly stare'. Your eyes/face can say more than your voice ever will.
Tip No.54: Take your breaks. OK, I know how hard this is to do, but you will be more effective in the classroom if you do.
Tip No.55: 'Marking' isn't always something you do with a pen for the kids at home: use a variety of assessment techniques.
Tip No.56: Learn the value of target setting - it gives pace, purpose and a sense of forward momentum to a lesson.
Tip No.57: A great rule of thumb for the length of concentration on one task is child's age +2, get feedback after this time.
Tip No.58: Become an expert on the special needs of the children in your class - read up, take a course, SEN matters.
Tip No.59: Look after your voice: do a vocal warm-up at the start of the day, don't shout, sip water frequently.
Tip No.60: There is no 'silver bullet' so don't bother looking for it. Behaviour management in particular is very complex.
Tip No.61: Always think 'rewards' first, but be creative about it - find a free list of ideas here http://www.suecowley.co.uk/free-downloads.html
Tip No.62: Your face will 'speak' louder than your voice if you let it. Don't be afraid to make a bit of a fool of yourself!
Tip No.63: Schools reflect and support their local community - 'It takes a village to raise a child' - you're part of it now.
Tip No.64: Tone of voice really matters for engagement and learning. 'Hear' yourself speaking and develop your teacher 'sound'.
Tip No.65: Eye contact is a great way to 'connect' with students. Learn to scan your eyes around your classroom - 'be a camera'.
Tip No.66: Body language and use of space are key. 'Touch all four walls' of your classroom in every lesson.
Tip No.67: Find ways to 'mark' your classroom as your territory. Stand at the door and 'invite' students inside.
Tip No.68: Try teaching from the back of your classroom from time to time - this pushes students to really listen (no peeking!)
Tip No.69: Learn the art of 'selfish altruism'. Adults, fix your own oxygen masks first, before helping the children.
Tip No.70: When a child 'attacks' you by being rude or abusive, feel pity rather than anger. It's the most appropriate response.
Tip No.71: A pause is one of the most useful techniques you can use in your classroom. And while you're pausing, breathe!
Tip No.72: Have fun with displays - they are great for creativity and for boosting children's confidence. But change regularly.
Tip No.73: Join Twitter. Oh ... you did!
Tip No.74: Read some practical teaching guides to compliment all the theory you read at university. I've written a few :-)
Tip No.75: Smile! And do it well before Xmas. Just make sure it's a 'I'm relaxed and happy' smile not an 'I'm terrified' one.
Tip No.76: Differentiation isn't just about different tasks or outcomes for different children. Read up on other ways to do it.
Tip No.77: When you plan your teaching for the week, consider the marking workload you're creating as well.
Tip No.78: Deadlines really work, I have 5 days to reach my target of 100 tips and I will do it because of that target/deadline.
Tip No.79: Have some plants in your classroom - good for classroom atmosphere, multi-sensory, plus kids learn responsibility.
Tip No.80: Balance really matters - in workload, in lessons, in approaches to teaching, in attention you give to each child.
Tip No.81: One of the hardest things about behaviour management is balancing consistency with flexibility (aka humanity).
Tip No.82: Children have body clocks, just like adults. Take account of when they will be lively/tired in your teaching.
Tip No.83: Invite plenty of visitors to your classroom - great for the students, a 'lesson off' for you.
Tip No.84: If you're lucky enough to have your own classroom, then really make it your own. Stamp your personality on it.
Tip No.85: Flag up any potential SEN issues you spot, even if you're not sure. Don’t assume that someone else will do it.
Tip No.86: It sounds like a minor issue, but do encourage good posture: your students will be sitting an awful lot in school.
Tip No.87: It’s really hard to give clear instructions. Structure what you say and don’t give too much info at once.
Tip No.88: Find an interesting training course and ask if you can book onto it. Don’t wait for someone to offer. (They won't.)
Tip No.89: Sit in each seat in your classroom, to get a sense of how it looks from the students’ perspective.
Tip No.90: Never hand anything out yourself – use ‘volunteer tasks’ as a reward.
Tip No.91: If you give a sanction, you have to follow through. Be aware it may turn into an epic game of cat and mouse.
Tip No.92: Use detention time to talk with students about what the problem was and how to avoid it in future.
Tip No.93: Use your posture to suggest confidence and relaxation. Good posture is also important for your voice.
Tip No.94: Pre-empt behaviour you don’t want, by telling the students exactly what you do want.
Tip No.95: Decide what you’re going to do about lost/forgotten pens, and stick to it. Sounds a minor matter, but it matters.
Tip No.96: Don’t always set written homework – include research, photos, activities, discussions too. Less marking!
Tip No.97: Setting a test gives you a lesson off, but it also creates a lot of marking. Think ahead.
Tip No.98: Be visible around the corridors: a smile, a quick word, helps you build relationships.
Tip No.99: It’s not about what Ofsted say, ever. It’s about the daily experience for your children. Please never forget that.
Tip No.100: It’ll be stressful, it’ll be emotional, but it’ll never be boring. Remember to enjoy yourself!