Tips and advice ECT teacher

I struggled during my teacher training and had a focus support plan. Now I'm an ECT and I'm a bit nervous as in my first term I have been graded C2, I'm getting support to come off this and improve my teaching pedagogy but I just want to know what this means, and just let me know if I'm overreacting by feeling nervous cause I actually feel majority of my lessons are really good but, now this is making me nervous cause now I feel wrong about how the lessons are going, yet the students still learn and produce really good work every lesson.

Reply 1

mesub

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

@04MR17 One for you perhaps (when you have time?)

Context here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7559362

Reply 2

04MR17

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by Giveaclue3

Original post

by Giveaclue3

What are your best tips and advice for an ECT in their first years of teaching

Hello, just to let you know I've merged both your threads together.

First of all - it's totally normal to feel nervous and wonder whether or not you are doing a good job. I'm 5 years in and still get this, my colleague has been teaching since 1996 and still gets this feeling sometimes.

Second, I have no idea what the grade C2 means, it's a bit of a red flag that lesson observations and teaching is being graded anyway to be honest. Most schools who did use graded observations are now moving away from this due to the problems it causes.

Could you tell me more about what you've had feedback on?
Thinking about the Teaching Standards, are we looking at T7 (Behaviour), T4 (Planning), T6 (Assessment). What are you being asked to improve upon?

Reply 3

04MR17

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by mesub

@04MR17 One for you perhaps (when you have time?)

Context here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7559362

I will always make time to help other teachers (one of my own downfalls, actually)

Reply 4

04MR17

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by Giveaclue3

I am being asked to improve on TS7, 5 and 6. They said I need support therefore a C2 is just above a fail, for me to get the support. I should be on it for a month or just a term. I have been co planning and been observed with my ECT lead for 3 weeks now and I am progressing through my targets. It just feels like someone is sitting on my shoulders a little, as for my termly observation the people from the ECT programme are coming to observe me to and makes me question if I really am a good teacher and this is only my first year teaching?

Again, very normal to have doubts.

Do we know Rosenshine's principles of instruction? Teach them a thing, model if needed, independent practice, then decide which route to take:
- model again [TS5]
- add a challenge task to stretch pupil thinking, allowing more time for others in the class to [TS5]
- bring the activity to a close

Before you move on, check for understanding of pupils. [TS6]

In terms of behaviour, what problems are you seeing?

Reply 5

04MR17

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by Giveaclue3

Low engagement and low level disruption.

Simple, clear expectations and stick with it. If you talk over me, [consequence as per behaviour policy]. Do it again, [next consequence]. If this leads to removing 1,2,3 pupils, so be it - they chose that outcome. The rest will soon work it out.

You have 6 minutes to complete the task if you haven't got to question 4 there will be a consequence. Put a timer on, when timer goes off quickly do a lap and write down names of pupils who did not comply. They chose to hat consequence.

Reply 6

04MR17

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by Giveaclue3

Thanks for all your help, the good thing is I'm on my 3 rd week and my lead who is coming planning and observing me says I'm progressing through my targets, just need to shift seating plans and be more direct and rescript the way I talk. I have nervous ticks or say may or preferably when I speak due to lack of confidence. I'm an extreme introvert so my confidence is always a battle and I can stutter and tend to get words or names stuck in my head because of it. Any advice for that would be much appreciated but I just think that's the way I am tbh?

Take a breath before saying anything.

Make the instruction something that you want them to DO. Rather than something you want them to STOP. So instead of "stop talking", tell them to "keep working". This is positive framing. They feel less like they're being told off and more like they're being encouraged. However, if there's a lack of respect, don't tolerate it.