Career advice from 3,300 DFW teachers
Teacher survey results highlight pre-teaching experiences and mentorship
Author: Piper Stull-Lane
Teacher survey results highlight pre-teaching experiences and mentorship
Author: Piper Stull-Lane
What makes new teachers feel prepared to be successful in the classroom?
That's the question our friends at the Best in Class Coalition (a group of organizations focused on supporting future and current educators in Dallas-Fort Worth) set out to answer with a survey to over 18,000 Dallas-Fort Worth teachers in May and June of 2017.
Over 3,300 teachers responded. In this article, we'll show you the takeaways about teacher preparation and how to be successful your first year in the classroom.
Teachers whose preparation programs included pre-service teaching experience were 16 percent more likely to feel prepared by that program for their first year in the classroom.
Pre-service teaching experience means that, before you became the primary teacher in a classroom, you were able to spend time practicing teaching students while a master teacher or coach watched and gave you feedback.
This trend held true for teachers across all years of experience, race/ethnicity and content areas.
Student teaching really prepared me in my first year, because it helped me see what it is like to run a classroom. I learned a lot about management and what worked and didn't work for certain students.
-Burleson ISD Teacher
When asked to rank the most important factors for success in their first year, these are the themes that teachers chose:
Teachers were clear that ample opportunities to get feedback, work with an effective mentor, observe other teachers, work with peers and get coaching were all incredibly important. They also noted the significance of practicing before becoming the‘“teacher of record.”
Pro Tip: When you are thinking about your first job, don’t be afraid to ask your prospective bosses about how they will ensure you get the feedback and support you need to be really successful with your students.
Coaching on classroom management, being required to observe other teachers during the year, and positive feedback on my classroom management skills from administrators made all the difference my first year.
-Mesquite ISD Teacher
Want more advice like this? If you sign up for a 1-on-1 coaching session, we can connect you with a local expert for free.
Big data nerd? Check out 2017 DFW Teacher Survey to view all the findings from the report.
If you want help getting teacher certified, we’re here for you. Head over to How to Become a Teacher so you can gain access to TeachDFW services (all free!). Get on-call advice, start application checklists, learn best practices and claim fee reimbursements.
Student teaching really prepared me in my first year, because it helped me see what it is like to run a classroom. I learned a lot about management and what worked and didn't work for certain students.
-Burleson ISD Teacher
My first year of teaching was made possible by the wonderful and wise mentor teachers I had. Because of such a powerful first year experience and being teamed with terrific, experienced teachers during my career, I have wanted to stay with teaching.
-Mesquite ISD Teacher
Student teaching fully prepared me for becoming a teacher. There is nothing better than real experience. I may have felt better prepared if I was able to do student teaching without taking other courses at my school.
-Lake Worth ISD Teacher
The opportunity of student-teaching was the biggest aspect that prepared me for my own classroom. The experience of leading the class, but still having a mentor teacher there in case I had any questions and to give feedback [gave me an advantage].”
-Northwest ISD Teacher
Coaching on classroom management, being required to observe other teachers during the year, and positive feedback on my classroom management skills from administrators made all the difference my first year.
-Mesquite ISD Teacher
My first year of teaching was mostly impacted by support from a peer teacher who shared tips and strategies for classroom management, teaching and grading techniques, and more. Having started from scratch, her help was instrumental in keeping my head above water.
-Mesquite ISD Teacher
I was matched with a formal mentor provided by the district, an informal mentor provided by the campus administration, and a learning team coach provided by the district who checked in regularly for staff well-being.
-Grand Prairie ISD Teacher
I benefited greatly from observing other teachers in action. It also helped that I had such a wonderfully supportive team to hold me above water until I could swim on my own.
-Grand Prairie ISD Teacher