|
From the Teacher Support Network, www.teachersupport.info. THE BEGINNING OF A LIFE-LONG CAREERPart 2 of 3:
Your First Steps When you begin your training there are a number of different ways in which you will be assessed. In addition to school-based training, you will be required to submit coursework and complete assessments to meet the standards required to achieve QTS. Balancing this with lesson planning, marking and other school work can be a challenge. Reflection or evaluation is also a crucial aspect of the teacher-training process. You will need to provide written evidence that you have reflected upon most of the lessons you teach or observe. Just remember to be organised. It is worth spending 15 minutes each day on reflection so that it doesn’t mount up. When filing observation notes or any other work that can contribute to your final portfolio, it is useful to use a ring binder with sections for each QTS standard. This will prove invaluable when you come to create your final presentation for your QTS assessor. Your training provider can give you a list of key dates and deadlines at the beginning of your course, note these down in your diary, along with reminders about coursework and assessment deadlines, to help you plan your workload. As you probably know already training to teach involves a great deal of coursework, therefore you might find the hints in our essay writing factsheet helpful. Your placement is also an incredibly important part of you training and whatever route you have taken you need to go on placement for a minimum of 18 weeks in at least two schools. Check out our factsheet ‘your teaching placement’ for guidance on how to display professionalism in your first few weeks of a school placement. Finding a job It is a good idea to start looking out for jobs at the beginning of the spring term. This may sound early, but this should give you plenty of choice, particularly if you want to work in a specific location. However, if you have difficulty finding what you’re looking for, don’t despair. It’s not unusual for some schools to wait until the beginning of the summer to advertise their vacancies, so there will still be opportunities later on in the school year. Our factsheet on ‘find your first job’ will give you advice on where to look, finding the right job, filling in the application form and tips for CV writing and interview skills. Induction year & your first day Like any new job, your first day at a new school can be daunting. The best advice you can take is to be as prepared as you can. Work out your journey time in advance so that you don’t turn up late on your first day; familiarise yourself with the school timetable, staff handbook and your class list; get a feel for the school ethos and culture such as attitudes towards school uniform, homework, behaviour and equal opportunities. The more information you can glean before you start, the easier you will find it to settle in. Once you have completed your first day you then have your induction year ahead of you! Make sure you are clear about what support you will be receiving. For example who your induction tutor will be, what your individual programme will involve, how observation sessions will be conducted and when your progress report will be completed. Part 2 of 3:
Source information: Posted in: first year in teaching, Article page: http://teachersupport.info/comprehensive-guides/starting-out-teaching/life-long-career.php Printable page: http://teachersupport.info/comprehensive-guides/starting-out-teaching/life-long-career-printer.php Copyright ©2012 Teacher Support Network or credited source. Please share this page with your colleagues! |