After leaving university (the world of 2pm mornings and last-minute courseworks), the transition to being a teacher has been an ice-bath level shock to the system (in a good way). I have learned several lessons that I feel are applicable to any future careers: 

Before undertaking a placement, I never respected my ability to think on my feet (despite using that buzz-phrase in job interviews). I only really got confident dealing with random issues at a café after about a year of employment, and even then, my latte art under pressure was more “5 year old finger painting” than “Da Vinci”. However, when undertaking a placement, it is so unlike any other experience that you almost learn in a “trial by fire” sense. I have had to develop instincts for dealing with random technology failures, an extra few hours added onto my timetable, and questions such as “can we sell Mr Taylor’s organs?” Over time, my calmness under pressure and my ability to adapt has become… decent (hey I have a few months left yet!). I still don’t always know how to deal with 14-year-olds asking me for my favourite meal deal 20 times. However, compared to where I was, this growth has been rapid and extremely noticeable, so I am excited to have an excellent grasp on it by the time I am qualified. 

I have also learned the importance of self-reflection. Not just when getting feedback from mentors on where to improve my teaching (which I feel is so obvious, it’s not worth talking about), but also being responsible for your work-life balance. In my first placement, my WLB was atrocious as I was so focused on improving as a teacher, that I neglected most personal pleasures (which sounds a bit like a fancy chocolate ad). Now, not to be a motivational Tiktoker trying to sell you a 6-pack of Huel, but I cannot understate the importance of taking a step back every so often, and asking yourself “am I living a happy life?” If the answer is no, then set one goal to get a bit closer to your version of a happy life. For me, this was to exercise at least twice a week after I had surgery, and to read 20 pages of the Sandman graphic novel series. For you, it may be going for a coffee with a friend every Sunday. This has been so valuable in keeping positive even during some fairly atrocious days on placement and being able to come in at 8am the next morning ready to deliver another business or economics masterclass. 

Finally, I have learned the importance (for me at least), of making the workplace have a slice of home about it. For some people, they may want to totally disconnect their work and home lives severance-style, and I applaud those if it works for them. However, for myself and a lot of teachers I have worked with, we are in the office for so long, and sometimes even have to take work home with us that the connection is unavoidable. This is why the small things like having a little trinket on the desk from your kid, or wearing a bracelet that your partner made to just have a slice of home, is so important. Especially since a huge motivator for a lot of teachers will obviously be some time off to be around family/friends, having a reminder of this can be an excellent reminder of why we work so hard.  

Written by Nathan, current PGCE Secondary Student

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