1. Your NQT Year! Tips and advice for your first year of teaching! by Megan Hamer

2. A bit about myself! O Qualified in 2012 O Worked as a TA for a year. O Got my first job 2 years ago! O Just started my third year of teaching.

3. A teacher is….

4. Top 10 tips!

5. 1. B.A.T Borrow Adapt Tweak There are so many ideas out there you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

6. 2. Don’t over plan Know your objectives. Know how you want to teach it. Prepare your resources. Teach it!

7. 3. Try new methods/take risks. If it’s not working don’t keep trying to stick to it. Change your plans. Try new methods. Take a risk it might just work. If it doesn’t you’ve learnt from it.

8. 4. Keep a to do list! Keep a list of what you need to do. But don’t expect to complete it. Prioritise what needs to be completed first. Keep it as a working document.

9. 5. Ask questions You are not expected to know everything. You will be surrounded by experienced staff who will be more than happy to help. Be prepared to not know everything. Every school is different and all do things in a different way.

10. 6. Use your TA Your teaching assistant can be the most valuable tool that you have. Use their knowledge; they know the school and the children. Ask for their advice and ensure you create a strong partnership. It can make the world of difference.

11. 7. Work life balance Its difficult to get this right and everybody does it differently. Don’t give up your hobbies; find time to continue them. Give yourself a break; try and have one day off a week where you do no work. You need time to unwind and get refreshed for the week ahead.

12. 8. Be clear on your rules! Set your expectations right from the word go. Be consistent; the children need to know where they stand. Learn their names as quickly as you can. Be prepared to change behaviour management strategies.

13. 9. Smile and don’t give up! There will be times when it does get tough. You will have bad days and bad lessons; its completely normal. You will also have the lightbulb moments. These moments make it all worthwhile.

14. 10. Your not ‘new’ your fresh! Take every opportunity possible. Listen and learn as much as you can. Don’t be afraid to introduce ideas. Observe as many lessons as you can. Believe in yourself you worked hard to get here.

15. Exciting Exhausting Fun Nerve wracking Emotional Difficult Rewarding EventfulEnjoyable Exhilarating ChaoticQuick Some words to describe the year ahead!

16. Think… Why did you decide to become a teacher?

17. A final thought!