Beyond Survival: The New Teacher Podcast
A weekly podcast to inspire and motivate teachers in the exciting first few years of their careers. Every week an expert guest will answer a central question to support new teachers to be the best version of themselves in the classroom. There is also a weekly 'Teacher Talk' which gives practical strategies for an aspect of teaching in fifteen minutes. Host Jamie Thom left the classroom in August of 2022 to run a new English PGDE at Napier University in Edinburgh. He is the author of four books on education, his latest come out in February 2023 and is called 'Talking To Teenagers: A guide to skillfull classroom communication.' He is passionate about supporting new teachers.
Beyond Survival: The New Teacher Podcast
A mentoring masterclass: how to succeed as a mentor of new teachers
This week's episode explores how to be the best possible mentor of new teachers. The guest is the wonderful Rachel Alexander. Rachel is a former English teacher and author, who now runs the English PGDE at Moray House in Edinburgh University.
In the episode, which should also be useful for new teachers who are working with a mentor for the first time, we explore:
1. What do you enjoy about mentoring new teachers?
2. What do you feel are the qualities of a really good mentor?
3. For anyone who might be listening who is new to mentoring, what advice might you give them?
4. What are some common mistakes that mentors make?
We also explore some case studies:
How to support a new teacher who is struggling with their mental-health
How to support a new teacher who is disorganized
How to support a new teacher who is overwhelmed with feedback.
I hope you enjoy it and find it helpful. If so please do pass it on to others!