Challenges you may face
The following comments have been provided by a variety of teacher's from across the state explaining the challenges that they faced as a beginning teacher.
Writer: Mel, a secondary teacher in a metropolitan area
Behaviour management of the students was the hardest aspect of teaching to manage. There are so many children with challenging behaviour
and with problems both with education and outside of school. Kids seem so worldly and are exposed to so many things that I know little about
and certainly didn't know at their age. This did improve with experience but being exposed to new challenging situations was tough in my first year.
Writer: Kasee, a primary teacher in a metropolitan area
Teaching has been harder than I thought it would be. I have found it hard to get organised around routines, such as knowing how long to leave to
hand out notices and remember times. Time management is a teaching skill in itself
Writer: Nick, a secondary teacher in a rural area
Most of my first term I felt like I was under water and was hopeful I would eventually come up for air. I was overwhelmed by having to work out the 'reading level' of students and taking on content and pedagogy and felt that my study had not prepared me well for this career. I survived by deciding the
topics that were most relevant to my classroom needs at a particular time.
Writer: Tracey, a primary teacher in a metropolitan area
Sometimes you will find yourself feeling like you are trying to balance a lack of resources, inspiration, support and experience.
It is important to try and maintain a work-life balance to keep you sane!
Writer: Megan, a secondary teacher in a metropolitan area
Time Management - how to manage expectations and get everything done. Preparation is the key. Have a plan and work towards it.
Don't live from day to day but have the flexibility to alter the plan along the way.
Writer: Rodney, a secondary teacher in a metropolitan area
I think the biggest challenge for beginning teachers is managing the diversity of students learning needs and planning learning experiences
that acknowledge all the students' backgrounds, personalities and learning styles. In my early weeks of teaching I remember feeling overwhelmed
some days trying to keep all the students engaged and challenged. When you are completing practical experience you feel safe and reassured as there is an
experienced teacher nearby who can immediately help out if necessary. I think it is the daily practical "management" skills that
you need to learn quickly to become an effective and competent teacher. Finding a good mentor is the key to successful teaching.
Writer: John, a primary teacher in a metropolitan area
For me it was the organisation of all the administration work that teaching involves - the filing of student work, the daily recording of
student behaviour/interactions within the classroom, preparing to write reports and having student files ready for parent/teacher interviews.
The actual teaching is the easy part but the administration work I found really challenging to keep on top of.
If you would like to share your ideas and feelings on the challenges that teachers face please us.