New job nerves
On Tuesday I officially start my new job. I have been increasingly excited all summer but now the nerves are starting to kick in. My new school is absolutely wonderful. I’ve been in a couple of times, taken part in staff meetings back in July and met my team. I’ve got two days solely to set my classroom up. My headteacher is incredibly supportive. I’ve heard lovely things about the children. And yet, there are still nerves.
This is normal.
I know I’m not alone in this. Yesterday I tweeted:
And I had a reply from an NQT that really made me step back and think. They said how worried they were. I realised if I, as an experienced teacher have anxieties about starting a new school in the midst of a pandemic then of course those new to teaching are going to feel worried.
I replied with:
And I truly mean this. We are all navigating this brave new world together. As the new term edges ever closer (for many it has already started) the anxieties creep in and this year they are heightened. I’ll be honest, there was a small part of me that hoped by September everything would have worked itself out. That seems like wishful thinking now. Every day it seems like there is something new to consider from guidance, to masks, to bubbles, to washing hands and this is on top of the normal new job nerves!
It is a lot. But, if there is one thing that teachers are good at it is adapting and rolling with the punches. We shouldn’t have to of course, but we do and we do it well. Everyone is in the same boat. Experienced or NQT we are all dealing with a brand new situation and the best thing we can do is support each other.
It’s okay to feel scared for a variety of reasons, be it new job nerves or safety worries. Acknowledge those feelings and take stock so you are able to prepare yourself for the new academic year. Make sure you are realistic about your expectations of yourself. You’re not going to do it all in a week, a month or even a term. There will always be more to do. Especially now. Work hard but know your limits and don’t burn out. Look after yourself. If you’re going to support your pupils effectively you need to ensure you are supporting yourself first.
If you are prone to anxiety I always like to think it is like a wave. It rises and falls. The intense feelings pass. However, that is not necessarily helpful when we are in the midst of said feelings! The NHS has some great tips for improving mental health, which can be found here.
Ensure you are prepared. I’ve written some tips for starting a new teaching which are applicable for both new and experienced teachers. On top of that ensure that you are aware of your school’s Covid protocols. The majority of schools will have a health and safety inset session before the new academic year starts.
Finally, remember why we came into this job. We all have a variety of reasons for wanting to be a teacher but I would hazard a guess that for the vast majority of us it’s because we want to make a difference to the lives of young people. Next week we can do that. It will be different to what we a re used to. We will have to adapt. Ultimately what remains the same though is us. Our expert teaching. Trust in your skills. You are there for a reason.