As the first term of the training year draws to a close, many of our trainees are taking time to pause, reflect and recognise just how far they have come. In this blog, Iram shares their reflections on their first term and how they feel heading into the next stage of their teaching journey.
As the first term comes to an end, I’ve taken some time to think about how it’s gone and what I’m taking forward. It’s been a fast, intense start to the SCITT year and one that has pushed me more than I expected.
One of my biggest wins has been becoming more comfortable in front of a class. At the start, I was so shy and nervous that I focused only on getting through the lesson. I’d be concentrating so hard on explaining things that I wouldn’t even notice shirts untucked or coats left on. My whole energy was spent trying not to stumble. Over time, I’ve learned to trust myself more and respond to students instead of clinging to the script. I feel like I’m actually teaching now, not just performing a plan.
Behaviour management has been another important win. There were lessons early on where I felt things slipping before I even realised what was happening. Learning to stay calm, wait for silence and give clearer instructions has made a huge difference. I’ve realised students respond better to consistency and calmness than anything dramatic. Seeing them follow routines more smoothly has been a real boost.
I’ve also genuinely enjoyed getting to know the students. Seeing them grow in confidence, ask more questions or tell me something finally clicked has been one of the best parts of the term. Teaching my subject has been rewarding too. Some of the most memorable moments have been when a discussion takes an unexpected turn and deepens their understanding in a way I didn’t plan.
Planning has started to feel more manageable as well. It’s still time-consuming, but I’ve found a rhythm I didn’t have at the start. There’s something satisfying about seeing a resource work exactly how I hoped it would or spotting a misconception before it appears.
The biggest challenge has been the workload. Balancing planning, teaching, assignments and everything else often felt overwhelming. There were weeks that blurred together. I’ve had to learn to prioritise and break tasks into smaller chunks, and to accept that not everything needs to be perfect for it to be effective. Working smarter has been a big learning curve.
There have also been emotional challenges. It’s difficult not to take things personally when a lesson doesn’t land or when behaviour is tougher than expected. Feedback, even when it’s helpful, can knock your confidence. But I’m learning to see these moments as part of the process rather than signs that I’m failing. This is a training year, and getting things wrong is part of how I improve.
A few standout moments have stayed with me. A student who normally stays quiet told me a lesson finally made sense. Another moment was my first fully smooth lesson, where everything just clicked. And seeing students engage with something I created from scratch gave me a genuine sense of pride. These moments remind me that progress is happening, even when the day-to-day feels chaotic.
Looking ahead to next term, I have a clearer sense of the teacher I want to become. I want to keep strengthening routines, sharpening my instructions and improving my pacing so lessons feel more controlled. I also want to develop my questioning so I can stretch students more effectively. Most importantly, I’m working on maintaining a healthier mindset.
Not every day will be perfect, but every week brings growth. I feel more confident and more settled than I did at the start, and I’m ready for the next stage.
Reflections like these remind us that teacher training is a journey filled with small steps, steady progress and plenty of meaningful moments along the way. The first term can feel busy and challenging, but it’s also where confidence starts to grow, routines begin to form and trainees discover the real joy of working with young people.
If you’re thinking about becoming a teacher, it’s worth knowing that you don’t need to have everything figured out from day one – just a willingness to learn and a passion for helping students succeed. With supportive training and a friendly community around you, the journey becomes not only achievable but genuinely rewarding.
If this resonates with you, we’d love you to explore what JTSCITT can offer and consider taking your first step into teaching with us.
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