So you want to be a Teacher?

Lucy Waide has been a teacher of English and art for 5 years, and is currently Head of Art at Rossendale School a special school for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Having been through the Graduate Teachers Programme herself she now mentors other newly qualified teachers and teachers on placement in her school.

• Preface  Chapter 1 - Why would you want to teach? All the reasons you might have for choosing  to go into teaching. Chapter 2 - Pathways into teachingThe many different routes available to all who whish to join in the fun. Chapter 3 -  RequirementsWhat is expected of you, how many hoops you need to jump through in order to meet the expectations. Chapter 4 - Standards and evidenceHow to meet the professional QTS standards set out by the government.QTS skills - What to expect in the Skills test for Literacy, Numeracy and ICT Chapter 5 - Your Initial Teacher's Training placementFirst day at school. A few tips on what to do when faced with the overwhelming leap of faith into the depths of a school. Chapter 6 - Different mentorsThe good, the bad and the ugly. Some are better than others. This chapter offers a few insights into how to spot them and what to do if you do have a bad one. Making a good impression on the people who are important. Making any impression in a large school is difficult: if you are to be remembered, you need to know how to make yourself indispensable. Chapter 7 - Housekeeping / Your Professional Development Folder (PDF)This is your homework which lasts for a year. It is always put on a pedestal by tutors and, as with all students, the thought that the bare minimum will suffice is always at the forefront. Helpful tips allow both the conscientious and the bone idle to find a pathway. Organising yourself and making sure you are able to keep on top of the workload through making lists. Chapter 8 - Precious NQT Status requirementsUnderstanding that you have to meet certain standards. Realising that some are obvious to your development as a teacher, and some are just to jump through a hoop. What happens upon reaching the ultimate goal. This chapter provides a few hints as to how to milk this precious year for all it's worth and what it actually means for your progression. Moving Up The Ladder: The pitfalls of climbing up too fast, or too slowly. A few tips on how to have a steady climb. Chapter 9 - Mundane meetingsHow to cope with the drone of information being read out and how to show willing when the will to live is leaving.Finding a voice and how to ensure you're confident with it rather than arrogant and argumentative. Chapter 10 - Special Educational Needs (SEN) / behaviour and disciplineSome tips on what this is, its impact in and out of the classroom, and how to deal with the general needs of pupils.Behaviour is the big one: A few tips on understanding the rules of the game that is 'taming the beast'. Knowing that there's no magic potion, but there are a few tricks. Chapter 11 - School politics: How to survive in the staff roomKnowing the pecking order. Rules of the staff room are precious, and if followed can be beneficial; if broken, can be disastrous. Here a few rules are spelled out.Gaining respect from peers and pupils is often assisted by the way we present ourselves. Being a scruff shows you haven't much self respect, being a fashion victim shows you have too much vanity.The many roles a teacher has to play in any space of time when in front of a group of kids. The most important of the many hats, and how to wear it. Chapter 12 - Sickness and stressA few hints and tips as to how you can lessen the inevitable impact of your sickly absence. Chapter 13 - Going for interviewsA small insight into what the interviewer is actually thinking and how to be ready for the curve ball questions.