Beyond Survival: The New Teacher Podcast

Today's episode of 'Beyond Survival: The New Teacher podcast' is with Andy Mclaughlin. Andy is a former senior leader and digital development officer, who now runs the History PGDE at Aberdeen University. This episode explores technology in teaching, answering the question: how can new teachers make good use of technology in their teaching? In doing so, we explore the following questions:1.     What are some of the main reasons new teachers should engage with technology? 2.      Are there are things new teachers should be reflective about if they do decide to experiment with technology?3. What are two or three pieces of technology that you think new teachers should think about using in their lessons? 4. What do you think about the use of AI in education? (only if you are happy talking through this - I'm just interested in your thoughts!) 5. You support a lot of teachers at the start of their careers, is there any more general advice you would like to offer? I hope you really enjoy the episode.  Please do pass it on to other teachers if you did find it useful. 

This episode is this week's 'Teacher Talk': a fifteen minute talk that explores an important aspect of classroom practice, with practical strategies for implementing it in your classroom.This talk explores the concept of the circle of influence. Based on habit one from Stephen Covey's book 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People', it looks at what is in a teacher's circle of influence in terms of looking after our well-being and building positive relationships. I hope you find it helpful and supportive in your classroom. Any feedback on how to improve these talks, or areas you would like me to explore, is always much appreciated.As always, please do pass this on to anyone else who you think might find it helpful and supportive. Please contact me on Twitter @teachgratitude1.

Today's episode of 'Beyond Survival: The New Teacher podcast' is the monthly episode with Colin McGill. Colin is my colleague in the PGDE at Edinburgh Napier University, and is the programme leader. You can follow him on Twitter @colinmcgill. This episode explores perfectionism in teaching, and how the teachers at the start of their careers can practically apply the philosophy 'good is good enough'. In doing so, we explore the following questions: 1. How would you define perfectionism?2. What do you think leads to perfectionism at the start of teacher's careers? 3. What are the risks of perfectionism for teachers? 4. What do you mean by the concept 'good is good enough' 5. How can teachers embrace this philosophy practically? 6. What other advice might you offer to teachers to challenge perfectionism? I hope you really enjoy the episode.  Please do pass it on to other teachers if you did find it useful. You can read more about the PGDE programmes on offer at Edinburgh Napier University here: https://www.napier.ac.uk/courses/study-areas/teaching. 

Ten years ago, today's guest and I worked in a school that was undoubtedly toxic. I was an assistant headteacher, and Elizabeth Bowey was an NQT (known as an ECT or probationer now). In this very personal episode, we explore what made this school a toxic environment to work in. Elizabeth shares what teachers can do if they find themselves in a toxic environment and also answers the following questions: 1. What does education mean to you? 2. What is your own experience of toxicity in schools? 3. How would listeners know if they are in a toxic school? 4. If a teacher does find themselves in a toxic environment, what can they do? 5. What steps might newer teachers take if they experience toxic management? 6. Any final advice for teachers at the start of their careers?I wanted to record this episode with Elizabeth to raise awareness about toxicity in schools and I appreciate it may resonate with some listeners, or prove to be a difficult listen. If you would value a conversation with me about it, or indeed some advice, please get in touch via Twitter @teachgratitude1, or email me at jamiethom123@aol.com. 

This month's education book of the month is Sam Chrome's brilliant 'The Power Of Teams'. The Power of Teams explores evidence from across sectors, including education, to find out what high-performing teams share, and how we can adapt the most effective teamwork strategies to the unique environment of a school. Sam Chrome, who is also a director of education, coach and deputy headteacher, answers the central question: How can new teachers thrive as part of a team? In answering that central question, Sam also answers: 1.       What motivated you to write about team-work? 2.       Why should team-work matter for teachers at the start of their careers? 3.       What steps can teachers at the start of their career to feel like they are part of a team?  4.       How can newer teachers make their voices and views heard in teams?5.       Any other advice about team-work for newer teachers?In a far reaching conversation, we also explore how meetings can be run more effectively and career development for new teachers. I hope you find it really useful. If you do, please pass it on! 

This episode is this week's 'Teacher Talk': a fifteen minute talk that explores an important aspect of classroom practice, with practical strategies for implementing it in your classroom.This talk explores some of the traps we fall into when we manage behaviour, and how to be self-aware of them. It then goes on to look at some key tips including: knowing your audience, positive to negative ratio and the notion of choices. I hope you find it helpful and supportive in your classroom. Any feedback on how to improve these talks, or areas you would like me to explore, is always much appreciated. As always, please do pass this on to anyone else who you think might find it helpful and supportive. Please contact me on Twitter @teachgratitude1.

Today's episode of 'Beyond Survival: The New Teacher podcast' is with Sophie Green. Sophie has just finished a very successful probationer year, her first year of teaching in Scotland. In this episode she answers the question: how can new teachers thrive in their first year in a school? In answering that central question, she also answers:1.            What were the main differences from your PGDE to your first year in a school?2.          What helped you to manage behaviour and build positive relationships in your own classroom?3.            What helped you feel part of the wider school community?4.            What helped you to manage workload and your own well-being during the year? I hope you really enjoy the episode.  Please do pass it on to other teachers if you did find it useful. 

Colin McGill, a programme leader in the PGDE at Edinburgh Napier University, shares invaluable insights on fostering positive classroom relationships. He discusses common mistakes new teachers make and how lesson content can strengthen connections with students. Colin emphasizes the power of effective communication, including recognizing student achievements and setting clear expectations. He also provides strategies for building rapport with challenging students, underscoring the importance of warmth, authenticity, and professional boundaries in the learning environment.

This episode is this week's 'Teacher Talk': a fifteen minute talk that explores an important aspect of classroom practice, with practical strategies for implementing it in your classroom.This talk explores the power of curiosity in teaching. It explores practical strategies for how you can build more curiosity into your lessons and how you can take a curiosity mindset into your improvement as a teacher. It also gives an overview at the end of the talk of 'The Curious Teacher' conference that we are hosting at Edinburgh Napier University on Saturday the 30th of September. The conference is packed full of inspiring workshops and speakers, and is only 24 pounds. You can read about the workshops here: https://sway.office.com/VeiSW1HZteEpMBC5?ref=Link&loc=playI hope you find it helpful and supportive in your classroom. Any feedback on how to improve these talks, or areas you would like me to explore, is always much appreciated. As always, please do pass this on to anyone else who you think might find it helpful and supportive. Please contact me on Twitter @teachgratitude1.

The guest on this week's episode of 'Beyond Survival: the new teacher podcast'  is Shannon Docherty. Shannon completed her PGDE (post graduate diploma in education) last year. This is the teacher-training year in Scotland.In this interview she shares some brilliant tips on how you can thrive and succeed in this challenging year learning to be a teacher.She answers the following questions:1. What do you enjoy most about your PGDE?2. What did you find most challenging? 3. What tips would you give to someone about to start their PGDE in August/September? 4. What helped you to manage your own well-being during your year? 5. Any final advice for someone starting a PGDE? I hope you really enjoy the episode.  Please do pass it on to other teachers if you did find it useful.