Your Comprehensive Guide to Starting Your Career in Education
Congratulations on completing your teaching education! You've finished the degree, completed the internship, and now it's time to take command of your own class. As you step into the professional world of education, it's natural to have questions. The Teachers Professional Association of Australia (TPAA) understands the excitement and challenges that come with starting your teaching career.
To help you navigate this important transition, we've compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions by new graduates. From finding your first job to managing stress and achieving work-life balance, we've got you covered. The TPAA is here to support you every step of the way. Welcome to the teaching community!
How Do I Find My First Teaching Job?
Teacher Registration: Your Essential First Step
As you near the end of your degree, you need to be registered. Teacher registration is a requirement for all teachers, so you must obtain registration with the correct state authority before you can be employed as a teacher. These are:
- New South Wales: NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
- Victoria: Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
- Queensland: Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)
- Western Australia: Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA)
- South Australia: Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (TRB SA)
- Tasmania: Teachers Registration Board of Tasmania (TRB Tasmania)
- Australian Capital Territory: ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI)
- Northern Territory: Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory (TRB NT)
These bodies are responsible for registering teachers, maintaining professional standards, and ensuring the quality of teaching in their respective jurisdictions.
Effective Job Search Strategies for New Teachers
Finding the right teaching position requires a strategic approach:
- Research potential employers through education websites, such as Departments of Education, Catholic Education dioceses, or Independent schooling sector.
- Utilise job search platforms like SEEK.
- Make the most of your internship in your final year to impress and gain valuable references.
- Start your employment search before your internship begins.
- Attend career fairs to network and explore opportunities.
- Be cautious with casual/supply/relief teaching unless you have no other options, as these can be challenging for new graduates without previous experience.
Crafting an Impressive Teaching Resume
Your resume is your first opportunity to make an impression. Here are some tips:
- Tailor your resume for each job application.
- Highlight relevant skills and experiences.
- Include your contact details, a professional summary, workplace experience, certifications, and education.
- Use clear headings and bullet points organised around the AITSL Professional Standards.
- Include skills from other roles, such as retail or personal experiences.
- Keep your resume up-to-date, clear, and concise.
- Include a one-page maximum cover letter.
Building Your Professional Network in Education
Networking is key to finding opportunities in the teaching profession:
- Join professional associations.
- Utilise LinkedIn to connect with other educators.
- Reach out to university alumni.
- Seek mentors, especially previous practicum teachers.
- Volunteer at schools.
- Attend educational conferences and workshops.
Understanding the Teaching Job Application Process
The process of applying for teaching positions can vary between education systems:
- Apply to teach in your final year of your initial teacher education qualification.
- Some systems conduct interviews at the school level, while others may require you to create a video presentation or interview at the system level.
- Most appointments are made before the end of the year, but don't lose hope if you haven't secured a position by then.
- Avoid booking distant holidays during this time, as you may be called for an interview.
- If unsuccessful, always ask for feedback to improve for future interviews.
What Should I Expect Between Appointment and Day One?
Orientation and Initial Training for New Teachers
Each school will hold an orientation day for new staff. These days are typically conducted on-site at the school, and you are expected to come in appropriate workplace clothing, including correct footwear. Remember, this is your first day of work (even though you are not paid for it), not a social gathering.
This day will include:
- A tour of the site
- Initial information you need to know before starting, which could include:
- Behavior program
- Timetables/rosters
- General expectations
- Education on workplace philosophies
- Policies
- Emergency procedures
Initial Pupil Free Days in January will cover all mandatory training such as:
In addition, there will be school-based activities that you will be required to take part in. During these days, take the opportunity to sit with your Year Level/Department team and build working relationships.
Classroom Preparation for New Teachers
To set yourself up for success:
- Plan with colleagues using the required school planning process.
- Be very clear about what you need to teach, the time allocations, and where to locate resources, both material and digital.
- Remember that planning is on three levels: annual, unit, and weekly/daily.
- Have your annual and unit plans ready in advance so that creating the weekly/daily plans is easy.
- Read all material on your students, especially students with disabilities, and write notes. Be sure to include them in your planning adjustments.
- If possible, try to chat with the support teacher and previous teacher(s) about the child and what best to do and what to avoid doing.
- Prepare your classroom, considering:
- Desk arrangements
- Teaching and learning spaces
- Technology access points
- Where resources will be placed
- Where mandatory school posters will be placed
- Try to get access to the class photos from the previous year to learn names with faces before entering the room.
- Utilise name supports (name badges, desk placemats, bookmarks for the desk) for your first few days.
- Familiarise yourself with the school campus, including:
- Routes from your room to assembly space, library, specialist lessons
- Refuse bins
- School administration
- Staffroom or department room
- Check your duty areas and understand the expectations and procedures.
What Should I Expect on My First Day of Teaching?
Your first day as a teacher is crucial. Here's how to make it successful:
- Get to school early.
- Use the restroom before the bell rings.
- Follow the school's common directives for day one operations, which may include:
- Roll marking
- Line-up
- Assembly
- Duties
- Possible admin team classroom visits
- Consider how you will use resources and get children to set up books accordingly.
- Have a supply of spare books and writing materials for students who arrive without resources.
- Mark the roll according to school policy.
- Discuss classroom rules and set expectations early.
- Have more work planned than can be done to avoid loose ends.
- Take your scheduled breaks and use them to connect with other staff.
- Mark all work promptly and return it to set high standards.
- Before the end of the day, have students reflect on what they've learned.
- Journal your experiences and make notes on your daily/weekly plan.
- Complete any necessary documentation, including behavioral reports.
- Get a good night's sleep for the next day.
How Can I Manage Stress and Workload as a New Teacher?
Teaching can be both physically and emotionally demanding. The day is not done when students go home. Planning, correction, and preparation for the next day takes time. Here are strategies to manage stress and workload:
- Prioritise self-care:
- Get enough sleep
- Eat well
- Exercise regularly
- Make time to relax
- Develop organizational skills:
- Use lists
- Prioritise tasks
- Delegate if possible
- Seek support from peers and mentors.
- Plan ahead and arrive early to prepare materials.
- Use resources effectively:
- Keep a journal for reflection
- Research unfamiliar content
- Take your entitled breaks, except when on duty.
- Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
What Continuing Education or Certifications Should I Consider?
Ongoing professional development is crucial in teaching. Consider the following:
- Full Registration:
- You will start with provisional registration.
- During the course of the year, you will have to keep a journal of material (digital) required to address the AITSL standards.
- This material needs to be validated for full registration to be granted.
- Speak with your principal early about support in creating this and uploading school documentation.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD):
- Stay updated with the latest research and best practices.
- Meet the 20-hour CPD requirement for annual re-registration by engaging in various educational activities such as:
- Attending conferences
- Reading journal articles
- Participating in workshops
- Your school will typically provide the minimum hours during the pupil-free days for the year.
- TPAA has partnered with RedU CPD to offer a library of quality online CPD courses for members, should you experience a shortfall in hours.
- Academic Pathways:
- Consider enrolling in transition or specialization programs after a few years of teaching experience.
- Options include:
- Graduate Diploma programs
- Master's degree programs
- PhD programs
- These advanced degrees can help you develop your career and are often necessary for specialization or leadership roles.
How Do I Balance Work with My Personal Life as a Teacher?
Balancing work and personal life is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and preventing burnout. Here are some strategies:
- Set boundaries and manage time effectively:
- Develop good organizational habits
- Keep a to-do list
- Prioritise tasks
- Delegate when appropriate
- Prioritise self-care:
- Carve out regular 'me time' to relax and recharge
- Engage in activities you enjoy
- If you notice yourself becoming disinterested in these activities or isolating yourself, reassess and adjust your approach
- Practice mindfulness:
- Incorporate techniques such as meditation or relaxation exercises
- Set realistic goals:
- Use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timed) goals
- Be realistic about what you can achieve
- Adjust your goals if necessary
- Learn to say no:
- Recognise when you're stretched too thin
- Say no to additional work if you're already exhausted
- Seek support:
- Communicate with friends, family, and trusted colleagues about how you're feeling
- Sharing your experiences can help you manage stress
- Engage in enjoyable activities:
- Ensure that you engage in activities that bring you joy outside of work
- Allocate part of your school holidays to get away and recharge
- Consider professional help:
- If prolonged stress starts affecting your well-being, consider seeking therapy or counselling
What Should I Do If I Make a Mistake in My Teaching Career?
We are all human, and mistakes are part of that experience. As professionals, we try to limit those mistakes, but they still occur, even to veterans. If you make a mistake:
- Acknowledge and take ownership:
- Recognise the mistake and take full responsibility
- Be honest about the error
- Report it to the appropriate person, such as a principal or deputy principal
- Communicate clearly:
- Inform your team and any relevant parties about the mistake
- Effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures necessary actions are taken
- Document and report:
- Accurately document the error
- Follow the reporting system
- Proper documentation is crucial for transparency and future reference
- Reflect and learn:
- Consider what could have been done differently
- Determine if additional education or training might help prevent similar errors in the future
- Seek support if needed:
- If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to TPAA
- We can provide guidance and resources to help you address the situation and improve your practice
How Do I Build Good Relationships with My Colleagues?
Building good relationships with your colleagues is essential for creating a positive and effective work environment. Here's how you can foster strong connections:
- Collaborate and communicate:
- Teaching is becoming a far more team-based profession
- Develop teamwork skills
- Communicate regularly with co-teachers, support staff, allied health professionals, specialists, and parents
- Be approachable and use open body language
- Be professional and approachable:
- Be punctual and deliver what you say you would (be it a unit of work, a worksheet, some background research, or the like)
- Maintain professionalism by being friendly, making eye contact, and demonstrating open body language
- Seek mentorship and guidance:
- Find experienced teachers who can serve as mentors
- Make the most of your assigned mentor by being proactive and connecting a couple of times a week
- Don't hesitate to ask questions and seek advice from colleagues
- Be open to feedback and integrate valuable lessons into your practice
- Stay positive and reflective:
- Approach your work with a positive attitude
- Be willing to learn
- Reflect on your practice
- Debrief with peers and discuss experiences with other grads, your educator, or clinical facilitator
- Know your resources:
- Familiarise yourself with your workplace policies and procedures
- This will help you stay within your scope of work and gain respect and credibility
What Resources and Support Are Available to Me as a New Teacher?
When seeking resources and support, you have several valuable options available:
- The Teachers Professional Association of Australia (TPAA):
- Expert industrial support team
- Advocacy and guidance on workplace rights
- Emotional and workplace support
- Direct branded representation of your interests with most employers
- Professional and peer support:
- Year level/department buddies
- School leadership personnel
- Support staff
- Peers and colleagues
- Friends, uni-colleagues, and family for emotional support
- Mental health and counseling resources:
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Private counseling services
- Online resources:
- Professional development materials
- Educational resources
- Support networks
The TPAA is committed to empowering frontline teachers and ensuring a safe, healthy workplace. We believe that real change in schools starts with supporting teachers directly.
Remember, your journey as a teacher is just beginning. With the right support, resources, and mindset, you can navigate the challenges and enjoy a rewarding career in education. The TPAA is here to support you every step of the way. Welcome to the teaching community, and best of luck in your teaching journey!
Want to find out more or have a question? Get in touch with us:
Phone: 1300 252 777
Email: hotline@tpaa.asn.au
Or book a meeting
Best of luck in your teaching career!