Towards thriving, not just surviving The journey from pre-service to beginner teacher

Beginner teachers are faced with an exciting yet daunting world when entering the teaching profession. They struggle with the fact that their years of studying did not fully prepare them for what they would be facing in the workplace. Managing themselves, the classroom and specific kinds of relationships for the first time can be overwhelming for even the most robust. Towards thriving – not just surviving will help teachers to flourish in the school environment and remind them of why they heeded the call to join this profession.
Towards thriving – not just surviving is written by experienced teacher trainers who paid their dues at the chalkface. It will develop beginner teachers’ confidence and competence to know what to do and how to do it, so that they can realise an empowered, inspired, motivated and grounded personal and professional identity.
Contents include the following:
Ethics
Codes of conduct
Lifelong learning
Mentorship
Planning for your future
Navigating job interviews
Types of learners
How to deal with parents, learners and colleagues
Assertiveness
Stress and burnout
Being a reflective practitioner
Caring for others and yourself
Classroom management
Diversity
Administrative skills
Time management
 
Towards thriving – not just surviving is aimed at beginner and student teachers.
Dr Carolina Botha is the academic coordinator of Work Integrated Learning in the School of Professional Studies in Education at North-West University (NWU). In 2017, she was awarded the Distinguished Institutional Teaching Award.
Charl Wolhuter is a professor in comparative and international education at NWU.  He is the author of various books and articles on the history of education and comparative education, and often speaks about these topics at conferences.
Dr Deon Vos worked as a teacher, head of department, deputy principal and principal for more than 20 years. He is currently a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education’s School of Professional Studies at NWU.