A first secondary school teaching job in the UK can be a bit of a shock if you are unprepared. The responsibility that you feel for the future of 20-odd young people doesn't have to be shackles around your wrists, however.

Your first teaching job is at least the fulfillment of years of training and in most cases a long-held vocation, so how can you embrace the opportunity? The best teachers have an ability to take everything in their stride and the first year of teaching can run much more smoothly if you consciously look to make the most of your classroom time, prior to being 'the teacher'. 

School experience is essential if you are interested in becoming the best teacher you can be. Indeed, many training course actually require you to show some initiative and arrange in-class sessions before they consider your application.

If you view your experience in the classroom as a way of strengthening your eventual job application and to prepare you for potential interviews, then you are only half right and are missing out on an important stage of your development - one that could set you back during the first year of your career.

Start by keeping a diary of any work experience you do. Not only will this help with your application, but it provides the framework for your development. Use the diary as your own personal sounding board, identifying weaknesses in your approach and working on them when you get the opportunity. Write notes about anything that you experience, if a lesson did not work, reflect why and think about what you would do it differently next time.

Be aware of your classroom control. You can plan the best lessons in the world, but if your pupils are not paying attention it will all be to no avail. Watch other teachers and assess different teaching styles and effective uses of technology

Always make a contribution. This will not only build up your confidence, it will improve your communication skills, giving you one less thing to worry about when you come to holding your first lesson. Classroom experience is a great chance for you to develop ways to effectively pass on your enthusiasm for a subject. 

One problem many new teachers find is the change that occurs in their work/life balance. Aside from the job itself, teachers need to plan lessons and mark exercises. If you're not prepared for this, it can be draining. Use your time as a trainee to identify ways you can get work done simultaneously to your teaching responsibilities. If you become proficient at time management before your first year, there is a good chance you will go to to enjoy a successful teaching career. 

Finally, don't settle for time at one school. Most courses will offer you a few opportunities to gain classroom experience and you should look to spread this across a few schools. It will make you a more-rounded teacher and expose you to different policies and different pupils. The more schools you attend, the more networking potential you have. Always look to make new contacts in the teaching world, you never know how useful they could be when it comes to applying for a job.

Posted by Darryl Mydat