Articles

Articles from a selection I have written for The Times Educational Supplement

• Teaching Practice
• Being an Inspirational Teacher
• Look After Yourself!
• First Jobs
• Setting up a Classroom
• Skills Tests

Your First Teaching Job

School Number One:

I walked down a grey corridor, decorated only by dog eared posters and old faded work put up without a great deal of care the previous term. I'd had trouble finding the entrance to the school. Not a good sign. Waiting for interview in the staffroom, I recognised a girl I had met at another interview and my heart sank - she had been teaching a WHOLE YEAR already (in my eyes, that made her incredibly experienced and therefore obviously a much better bet than me, an enthusiastic but green - as - grass NQT) I'd chatted to her at the last interview, and she seemed to know what she was talking about, and was very friendly and sweet…I was doomed!

We were taken straight in for our interviews, without a walk round school - in fact, when I'd telephoned to ask about looking round prior to the interview, I hadn't been told 'no', but I had been given the distinct impression that this was not what the school wanted…so I didn't go.

By the time I was ushered in for my interview, I wasn't sure I wanted the job. And as a mature entrant to teaching, with a family, I needed a job badly! The interview went quite well; the Head Teacher was very friendly, as was the panel. We were asked to wait in the staffroom for the interview panel to finish with other candidates - barbaric, if you think about it! As it happens, neither myself nor the very pleasant candidate I kept meeting at interviews were offered the job - we were pipped at the post by a girl with the 'golden gift' - yes, she could play the piano! As we walked out of the school gates, we said our goodbyes and both seemed almost relieved.

School Number Two:

Another day - another thick envelope inviting me for interview. I was also invited to look round the school. Things were looking up! When I got there - guess who was there? Yes, my (by now) friend from previous interviews. We were taken round the brightly painted school by the Head, who encouraged us to actually go in to classrooms, meeting staff members and pupils. The children were interested in this group of strange adults, and confidently answered the questions put to them. The displays were made up of children's work (recent) well mounted and imaginatively presented. The Early Years classes in particular, including a bright and welcoming nursery, were a delight. I wanted this job badly - I felt I would fit in here.

The interview went very well - the panel were interested in my answers, and seemed encouraging. I was later told by the Chair of Governors - tongue in cheek, I hope - that they had to give me the job to shut me up…! He added that the reason I was offered the job was that I was so enthusiastic about the school, and seemed in tune with what they wanted to do. And my friend? She got the job too! It turned out that there were two posts; a Year Two (which we had applied for, and my friend got) and a Year 5 (which I got!)

The gut feeling at the interview proved correct; I loved the school and developed my teaching skills under the guidance of the staff there. I was encouraged to explore new areas, attend training and take up opportunities as they arose. A very happy time.

Just stop and think for a moment, then, as you rush to fill in your applications for any and every job that pops up. Today there is thankfully much more opportunity (if it is not an expectation) for job applicants to tour schools as part of the application process, and to make an informed decision about whether this school is the best place for you. It may sound ridiculous to advise caution when all you can think about is getting a job - any job! - but remember, you will be in the school for most of your waking hours as a new teacher; you will spend the rest of your time preparing for school or talking about it! Make sure that you find a school where you can be happy - and then, teaching is the most wonderful, rewarding job in the world. If you are at odds with the school ethos, it can be hell.

Tips:

• Go with your gut feeling - do you feel welcome?
• How do the teachers you see in action relate to the children?
• How do members of staff relate to you?
• Does the Head seem approachable?
• Are displays bright and full of up to date children's work? This is an excellent clue, telling you a great deal about the school ethos.
• Is the school environment clean, well presented? This shows that the children and staff care about the school, and feel committed to it.
• How the children move round the school? Are they well ordered in corridors? Do staff keep quiet control or is there a great deal of yelling and scolding?

Reproduced by kind permission of: Times Educational Supplement.