Confessions of a Trainee Teacher

In 3 days I become a university graduate! It's a time in my life I didn't think I'd see, as I never saw myself going to university. However, three years later, I am a fully qualified primary school teacher (woo!). Here are my top tips if you're thinking about training, or in the middle of your degree/PGCE.

1. Decide how you want to become a teacher.

For me, this was an easy one. Once I'd decided to become a teacher, I chose the quickest route. I knew I wanted to go to university to train (rather than train after becoming a TA or through Schools Direct), so I chose a 3 year undergraduate degree. If you want to be a fully qualified teacher - ready for the world of work in 3 years - look for a BA Primary Education with QTS. A lot of universities offer undergrad BAs, but if they don't come with QTS, you'll have to do a PGCE on top, adding another year before you qualify. QTS means you'll have Qualified Teacher Status. Another option would be to take an undergrad degree in any subject you enjoy, and do a PGCE afterwards. You can do a PGCE to become a primary school teacher, or a secondary school teacher in your undergrad subject (bear in mind: if you choose the 3 year QTS route (like I did), you can teach KS3 (up to GCSE level) in secondary.).

2. Keep your friends close

When you start your degree, the people in the room with you are your best friends for the next three years. You will be there for eachother through the worst placements, and be there to help eachother celebrate after the best times. Make every effort to keep it cool with everyone on your course - there won't be many of you, but you're all there for the same reason. After uni, (most of) these people will be in exactly the same profession as you. Teacher friends are really important - whether it's sharing ideas and resources or someone who truly understands your problems and good times - you need to make every effort with the people on your course! Primary Ed students are known to be like a family, which is really lovely!

3. Stick with it

No matter how many times you don't want to keep going, do. In my first year I remember sitting on my kitchen floor in floods of tears when I was told I'd failed my placement. I'd worked so hard to get there and I'd let myself down. Even if you fail, it usually means your mentor didn't pick up on something or was grading you inconsistently, but the uni will not kick you off the course (like I thought they would!), so don't think about leaving! Teaching is a work of heart - and sometimes if your heart is 100% in it, it still isn't good enough for the guidelines. So, you have to work smarter, not harder (more on that later). Do not give up hope, unless you are truly sure teaching isn't for you. More often than not, your mistakes make you a better teacher - I left uni being graded "outstanding" for my placement!

4. Keep up with the paperwork

I know. It's the worst part of the placement. You know how to plan a lesson, your mentor knows you know how to plan a lesson, but Estyn/OFSTED don't know that. Your uni will want you to keep up a placement folder and portfolio, so make sure you do. You don't want to be failed for missing lesson plans when you're an outstanding teacher. Fill in your reflection sheets too, even if it's jotting down some thoughts in a notebook. They're compulsory, but reflection is a skill, that, once you've mastered, will come in handy. In terms of lectures, don't copy out the powerpoint (they're all online), make notes on what the lecturer says - their anecdotes can be invaluable for your practice or assignments.

5. Work smarter, not harder.

Lesson plans need to continue on from eachother, so make sure you copy and paste the previous lessons' targets onto today's so your learning has a purpose.

Have a master sheet of AFL strategies - naming them isn't good enough on your plan, you need to explain them. Keep a word document with all your key terms to save yourself some typing.

Learn your theorists - modern and traditional. You'll use them in every assignment and your foundational skills will be based on their theories.

Don't plan individual lessons - but put your planning into individual proformas. It is much easier to teach a skillset across two or three common lessons, rather than one skill per lesson. If you do this, then AFL can happen more naturally and your learners will conquer mastery. Your intros and plenaries will just be recapping and reflection of the previous and next lesson - so it saves you time too!

Save a copy of every worksheet you produce and use. I chose to keep a physical copy of each one as well as a digital copy. You never know when you'll use them in the future.

When you're observing, write down everything. From how the children are grouped, to how the teacher speaks to them, to the timing of the lesson- these will help influence your good practice.

Teaching is about keeping it cool in your head, but in your subconscious being prepared for any and every situation - find your own ways to cut your workload - your mind will thank you.

6. Be nice

This is self explanatory! On placement, make an effort to build up rapport with all staff and students, even if you don't interact with them often. It makes a huge difference, and you may be asked back if you leave an impression!

7. Look after yourself.

Never take your marking home - get as much self- and peer-marking done. It's more beneficial to the learners and you.

Set a cut-off time, and stick to it - in my third year, I was never in school later than 5pm - that gave me two hours to finish marking and prepare for the next day, and I ensured I had done everything in those 2 hours. Your workplace is for work, your home isn't. No other professions take their work home, so why should you?

Have a routine - If you like the gym, make sure you make time for it. Get up at the same time every day. Make time for yourself. Got to bed by 10pm (even if you don't get to sleep until midnight). A happy you makes a better teacher. After all, this is the rest of your life, so you might as well start a routine now.

8. Have fun

Just because you're on a professional course, doesn't mean you can't have fun. After you've planned your lessons, go out on the weekend. Uni is a social experience too - which is why the work-life balance is important! Have fun within reason though - never give into peer pressure when it comes to anything illegal - if you're caught you probably won't ever be allowed to teach again.

9. Social media is your friend, not your enemy.

Lots of people think teachers can't have social media, yet alongside my degree I ran a business through social media and was a social media intern for my university. With the world changing as it is, why should we set the example that "the internet is bad"? Make kids know having social media can be hugely beneficial by sharing positive experiences you've had, and how it can be their voice to the world to express themselves. Keep your Facebook and Instagram going, and even join the hoards of amazing Facebook groups for teachers and trainees - you'll find amazing ideas and resources on there!

10. Get involved

Whilst you're at uni to become a teacher, you're also there to become the best version of yourself. Join societies, go out, make friends and say yes. If you want a part time job, get one. If you want to go exploring, do it. If you get an email about an educational seminar, fair or event, attend it. Don't let anyone tell you you "don't have the time for that" or "that will interrupt your studies" or "you can't do that"... if I listened to every person who said that to me, I wouldn't have taken half of the amazing opportunities I did - and I'm graduating with a 2:1!

It goes without saying, you need to enjoy yourself. Training as a teacher is one of the most rewarding things you can do, so make the most of it! If you're applying to uni, training, or just want to chat, check out my social media below!