Working within the education sector can be both incredibly rewarding and challenging. This is why it is often referred to as a vocation or calling rather than a profession. It can be daunting to consider taking on a more senior role when you are already flat out busy but it can also be good to be part of the policy making processes at your setting rather than just putting up with what is thrown at you! Also taking on more responsibility does not always been more busy, there’s only a finite amount of hours in a week after all! But, with extra responsibly comes extra accountability. Many people taking the plunge into a leadership position don’t feel ready for it and this is completely natural. Sometimes you just have to go for it regardless.
It is often useful to have a goal to aim for promotion but life twists and turns and sometimes what you end up doing was not your original career aim. Ideas evolve so also consider that the top of your career does not always need to be in school. There are plenty of opportunities within the education sector that are not school based. Maybe you dream of becoming a head teacher, running your own tutoring company, or working abroad. Or maybe like me, going freelance and training others is the thing for you!
With that in mind, here are some useful tips that you can use to take the next steps in your teaching career.
- Ask for feedback. Asking for feedback from your managers and students is one of the easiest ways to improve. As such, you should always be open to constructive criticism, as it gives you something to work on moving forward. Always take what you need and what is useful and disregard the rest. Not all feedback is constructible or helpful so cherry pick what is right for you.
- Seek out new learning opportunities. Seeking out new learning opportunities can also play a key role in your professional development, as it helps you build upon your existing skills and broaden your horizons. For example, at Courses Online UK, you could participate in online training courses in mental health care and support. This will help you to support students who may be struggling or research where you want to specialise. Similarly, it’s worth seeking out training for leadership skills which will help you in your next steps. Often school leaders end up learning on the job! The aspiring SENCOs among you might consider finding out about the role here. Or looking at my New SENCo courses for example. Those leadership soft skills are essential!
- Consider specialising. If you have been working as a teacher for some time and need a new challenge, you may want to consider specialising. For example, you could look into becoming a SENCO, providing students with additional needs with more comprehensive support, so that they are able to reach their full potential.
- Know how to impress in a job interview. Sometimes, taking the next step in your career means seeking out a new role entirely. While nailing that job application is key to getting into the room, you must also make sure that you know how to impress in a job interview. Be sure to present yourself in the best possible light without nerves getting in the way. One way to achieve this goal is by taking your time when answering questions. This way, your responses are thoughtful and considered instead of rushed and convoluted. If you need some interview coaching, I may be able to help!
- Believe in yourself. Whether you’re angling for a promotion at work or applying for a new rule, you must believe in your ability to succeed. After all, if you lack confidence in yourself or your abilities, how can you convince anyone else to believe in you? Sometimes, the easiest way to boost your confidence is to reflect on how far you have come! Once you take the decision to step up and have a new role, no one should expect you to know what you are doing on day one. Education is one of those sectors that doesn’t train you until you get the job and you often don’t know what you done’ know.
- Take a break when you need one. Many people believe that working to take the next step in their career requires working non-stop until they have achieved their goals. While this could make you feel more productive, to begin with, it will only put you on the path to burnout. Be sure to take a break when you need one! For example, you could request part time hours for a few years and then seek part time leadership roles – this is challenging but not impossible. I was an Assistant Head on 80% contact time, giving me a much needed Friday with my children.
If you are still unsure about your next steps, have a chat to people who have already got leadership posts. You’ll find that many of them were worried about starting a new job but felt much better once they actually started and got stuck into it! In the right schools, with wellbeing at their centres, have leadership roles that can provide a good amount of challenge, support and reward!
Good luck in your next venture!
Lynn
Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash