How Can I Upskill While Working as a Supply Teacher?
It is crucial to upskill while working as a supply teacher, and you should always aim to keep learning and growing in any field. However, how exactly can you upskill as a supply teacher, and why should you take the time to do it when you likely already have so much on your plate?
While supply teaching itself is excellent for learning and improving your teaching methods, you need to upskill outside of the classroom as well. This could include attending seminars or lectures )both in-person or online), taking your own classes, getting a mentor, asking for constructive feedback, doing your own research, and more—and they can all go a long way to helping you do better at your job.
Why Does Upskilling Matter for Supply Teachers?
Knowing how to upskill while working as a supply teacher is important, as upskilling will allow you to be a better teacher, handle challenges in a more effective and appropriate manner, and get your career to where you want it to be. Upskilling involves gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of the teaching world and advancing your skills, usually through both experience and training.
Without upskilling as a supply teacher, you will not be able to better yourself. And, in an ever-evolving world where we always need to be improving ourselves and our methods, this is crucial for your career, and ignoring it will harm your job, and your ability to effectively do it.
What Are Some Flexible CPD Options That Fit Around Your Schedule?
Supply teachers can upskill in small, flexible steps as they work without it impacting their current work. This is done through CPD, keeping up-to-date on teaching developments and standards, completing courses, attending relevant training, and more. There are methods of upskilling for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be done every single day unless you have the time and energy for it—but it should be done as you continue to teach to better yourself and your methods.
Upskilling might sound daunting, but when you break it down, it becomes far more manageable. In fact, you can upskill while working as a supply teacher, and aAll you need to do is take it one step at a time, and find options that work for you. Depending on where you live, there could be more in-person opportunities, or you may do more upskilling through online classes, courses, and seminars.
What CPD is Available for Supply Teachers?
There are many CPD opportunities for supply teachers to benefit from, and a wide range of topics that get covered to further your skills and understanding. From in-person learning groups, lesson observation and classes to online seminars, mentours, courses, research, and so much more.
In terms of topics, supply teachers will benefit from CDP regarding mental health, cyber security, safeguarding, classroom management, behaviour management, and special education needs. However, there will be many other topics that you can look into to further your skills and improve your technique and approach—which will, in turn, ensure that you thrive in your teaching roles and continue to get placements.
Which Top Skills Should Supply Teachers Can Focus On?
To upskill while working as a supply teacher, you need to determine which skills you want to work on, and take measures to effectively improve your knowledge and understanding of them. While there are dozens of skills that you might want to learn, behaviour management, SEN strategies, digital tools, and curriculum updates are key areas that supply teachers need to be able to showcase in their work, and should be the priority.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should avoid other upskilling opportunities, as the more you can improve your skills, the better you will be at your job. We only encourage you to be mindful of your workload and not overwork yourself, as this will be detrimental to more than your personal health.
Behaviour Management
Behaviour management will always be a crucial skill that all teachers need to build on, but it becomes especially important for supply teachers to have a good grasp of it due to dealing with new classes and students frequently. Behaviour management will ensure that you can get students to act appropriately and behave with new teachers. This, in turn, creates an environment that is safe and suitable for learning, making you more desirable in the teaching world.
SEN Strategies
SEN (Special Education Needs) skills will always be useful for supply teachers to build on and understand. While you may not always be working with SEN students, you can specialise in this area, or gain a general understanding of it to not only make you more appealing to schools, but so that you can be there to help SEN students who need it.
Digital Tools for the Classroom
Digital tools for the classroom can come in many different forms, from things like Kahoot! Or Google Classroom, to Quizlet, Khan Academy, Moodle, and more. Depending on the class, there could also be various softwares that you may use to make teaching easier, track work, or share with the class.
Curriculum Updates
Curriculums will always update as new research comes out, and we gain a better understanding on hundreds of topics. As a teacher, you need to make sure that you are up-to-date on these changes and learn them as soon as possible so that you can effectively teach.
CDP will ensure that you remain up-to-date, but there may also be newsletters, classes, and seminars that you should explore for more information and make sure that you stay informed.
What Are Some Free and Paid Training Resources to Consider?
To upskill while working as a supply teacher, you can look into both free and paid resources, and there are lots of fantastic options that will benefit you and your teaching career. To grow professionally when you are supply teaching, you need to continue your CDP, and work hard to build and grow networks and relationships. By attending events, connecting with colleagues and schools, and working with an agency, you will better your chances of continuing work and furthering your career.
Some free and paid training resources for supply teachers to consider include:
- The Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- FutureLearn
- OpenLearn
- National Cyber Security Centre
- PACE Safeguarding Course
- First Class Supply
When you work as a supply teacher, you need to be able to embrace adaptability and flexibility with every new role you take on. It’s important to also look for guidance and be ready to take on feedback and help in the field as well. As such, you will benefit from having a mentor and one-to-one sessions to further help you improve across the board.
Want to Build the Perfect CV? Tips for Building Your CV While Supply Teaching
When upskill while working as a supply teacher, you give yourself more opportunities to build your CV and make yourself more desirable to schools and agencies. However, you need to ensure that you are able to put together a CV correctly to highlight your skills and achievements—and this is something that we can help you with at First Class Supply—should you need it.
To continue building your CV while supply teaching, you should:
- Keep track of notable accomplishments and new challenges that you overcome
- Continue learning through classes and mentors and gain feedback
- Observe classes where appropriate to continue learning
- Highlight your strengths and evidence of them
- Mention any certificates, awards, or recognition you receive for your work
- Showcase your CPD
- Note the different environments you have worked in
- Show off your adaptability, flexibility, and willingness
How First Class Supply Supports Your Professional Growth
Here at First Class Supply, we want to see you win and achieve your goals, whether you want to continue supply teaching, or get a permanent, full-time position at a school. We want to give you all the tools you need, and assist you with resources, mentoring, support, and opportunities that will further your career and allow you to get to where you want to be.
Upskill while working as a supply teacher in small steps, and you will quickly see the benefits in not only your teaching, but the opportunities that open up to you.
Looking to grow your skills while supply teaching? Register with First Class Supply and access support, CPD resources, and career-building opportunities.
For more information, why not check out our community support, testimonials and meet the team? We also have information for schools and teachers, and like to keep you up-to-date on news.
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