It can be tough to be a new teacher. There is so much to learn, and you are constantly trying to make a good impression on your students and colleagues. This is especially true for ECT teachers, who are just starting in their careers. If you are looking for ways to support your ECT teacher during their first year, look no further! In this blog post, we will discuss 6 tips that will help them feel more supported and empowered in the classroom. Thanks for reading!
Tips to Support ECT Teachers:
Communication
As any experienced teacher knows, the first year on the job can be a daunting experience. There is so much to learn, and it can be difficult to get a handle on everything. This is especially true for new ECT teachers, who may not have had the opportunity to observe experienced teachers in action. That’s why it’s so important for senior teachers to ensure that they have clear communication with ECT teachers.
By keeping lines of communication open, senior teachers can help ECT teachers to understand the key expectations of their role and provide them with the support they need to flourish in their new careers. In short, communication is key to ensuring that ECT teachers have a successful first year on the job.
Praise the little things
As any senior teacher knows, the job of an ECT teacher is not easy. They are constantly juggling a million different tasks and trying to keep everything organized. It can be easy to forget to take a step back and praise them for their hard work. However, it is important to remember that every little win is a huge step forward in their career.
By taking the time to praise the little things, senior teachers can help ECT teachers feel appreciated and motivated. In addition, senior teachers can provide invaluable guidance and support.
By sharing their own experiences, they can help ECT teachers navigate the challenges of the job. As a result, senior teachers play an essential role in helping ECT teachers succeed.
Help with planning
As an experienced teacher, one of the best ways you can support your ECT colleagues is by helping them with their planning. This can take many different forms, from providing feedback on lesson plans to offering advice on time management. The key is to be there for them when they need you and to provide whatever assistance they require.
By taking some of the burdens off their shoulders, you can help them to relax and enjoy their job. In turn, this will lead to better teaching and happier students. So next time your ECT colleague is struggling with their planning, offer them a helping hand. It will make a world of difference.
Aid them in seeing the big picture
One of the most important things you can do is to help them see the big picture. When looking at a school year, it is important to have an overview of where you are trying to get your class of children. ECT teachers often struggle with this and work only looking at each week as they go forward.
By helping them to see the big picture, you can give them a better understanding of the overall goal and how their individual goals fit into that. This will help them to better plan their lessons and activities, and to better support the children in their care.
In addition, by helping the ECT teachers to see the big picture, you can also help them to feel more supported in their role. This can be a great motivator for them and can help to increase morale within the team.
Watch their shelf
My old Headteacher used to describe well-being with the help of visual aid. A shelf. When your shelf was too overloaded you were stressed and anxious, when your shelf was well supported and clear it meant you were able to do your job to the best ability.
Experienced teachers can best help ECT teachers by ensuring that they can look after their personal well-being. One way to do this is to create a safe and supportive environment in which ECT teachers feel comfortable expressing their concerns and needs.
This might involve providing opportunities for social and emotional support and ensuring that workloads are manageable. Additionally, experienced teachers can model self-care practices and encourage ECT teachers to take breaks when needed.
By supporting the personal well-being of ECT teachers, experienced teachers can help them to be more effective in their roles and better able to keep their students.
Take care of the big things
As an Early Career Teacher, you should always be looking for ways to improve your teaching practice. You want to be the best teacher you can be for your students, and you are always willing to learn new techniques and strategies. However, I also know that it takes time to grow as a teacher. ECTs need time to experiment with new ideas, make mistakes and learn from them. They need time to build relationships with my students and their families, and to develop a deep understanding of each child’s individual needs. In short, they need time to grow.
So if experienced teachers can come alongside an ECT and take away some of their load such as organising trips, marking tests, or maybe even some planning, your school will reap the benefits.
In conclusion, there are many ways in which experienced teachers can support ECT teachers during their first year of teaching. By helping with planning, providing feedback, offering advice, and taking care of the big things, you can make a world of difference to your colleagues. So next time you see an ECT teacher struggling, lend a hand – it will be appreciated more than you know. Experienced teachers have a lot to offer ECTs, so let’s make the most of it!
Thank you for reading! I hope this article has given you some ideas about how best to support your ECT colleagues. Do you have any other suggestions? Please share them in the comments below.
Wow, this is great content! Keep it up! The Teaching Couple are awesome! Great help for ECTs!