ABSTRACT

This substantial chapter offers practical guidance on how to take a ‘don’t panic’ approach to the early stages of a new teaching post, and provides a ‘survival kit’ under the title of ‘Get Inducted’. This includes key strategies for settling in and finding out the things you need to know (and probably a few you’d rather not!) about your role, your job and your organisation. Understanding and developing student motivation follows as the next topic, including ‘what every teacher should know about motivation’. The area which is always crucial for new teachers, planning, is introduced, with some simple planning approaches, and the chapter closes by introducing the idea of the teacher as an ‘actively critical’ professional. By the end of the chapter you will be at least a little less submerged in the deep end.