Last summer, I accepted my first teaching role in an Early Years classroom - a year group I had never taught and one that, hopefully, I am now never going to leave.
The pressure as an NQT can be slightly overwhelming, particularly at the beginning. Glossing over social media posts, wondering what you should be planning and updating for the new year and being completely oblivious to what lies ahead. It is scary. Even as I write this now, during the first week of the holidays, I'm already wondering exactly what I should be doing in order to be the most prepared for the upcoming academic year.
If you have just accepted your first role, these are my top tips for you:
- Get to know the curriculum for your year group. I updated myself on the EYFS curriculum last year and although this CPD was ongoing for most of the year, it set me with expectations and ideas for baseline assessments, topics and classroom areas.
- Get the basics sorted first. The first thing I did was set up class lists, printed name tags for drawers and pegs and thought carefully about my classroom set-up (which changed at least every half-term!). Everything else waited and this was fine.
- Don't worry about getting into your classroom! Although I went in for 2 days last year and will probably be going in this year, it's not the end of the world if you don't. Last year, I got my displays backed and re-arranged the classroom but during your first couple of weeks, you will find your feet and find what works best for you anyway!
- Try to relax and do something you enjoy. I often find myself lost in the holidays with everyone else at work and only school work to think about. Luckily, I'm going away for 2 weeks (woo hoo!) but I will definitely make sure to get some Netflix in, read books I've been meaning to read all year and catch up with friends.
I have also learnt that it's completely okay to just do what works best for you and your class. Use resources you find online if they work and are relevant, drop a lesson if it's really not working and ask the children for their ideas.
My NQT year has been a rollercoaster of emotions but incredibly rewarding. Realising that you finally have your own class, planning lessons and topics that you enjoy and watching your class make progress is completely worth all of the hard work that comes with it.