Professional relationships – with students, colleagues and school leaders – are central to the work of all teachers, but particularly for teachers in their beginning years.
Research has found that establishing positive professional relationships is pivotal in fostering beginning teachers’ resilience.
Here we explore the importance of building positive professional relationships and top tips for teachers new to the profession.
Professional relationships with students
With most teachers entering the profession to make a difference in students’ lives, establishing good professional relationships with students is a clear priority.
As a beginning teacher, it’s important to remember that it will take time to find your feet in the classroom.
Top tips:
- Be patient as you hone your teaching practice – it will take time.
- Familiarise yourself with your school’s policies on managing classrooms and student behaviour.
- Upskill with professional development in these areas – our union offers complimentary training for members on a range of topics.
- Draw on the advice and support of colleagues (more advice on this below).
Professional relationships with colleagues
Teaching is a collegial profession, and research has found connections with fellow teaching staff can provide beginning teachers with professional support and a sense of belonging.
Beginning teachers are more likely to derive satisfaction from connections with colleagues where they are based on a reciprocal exchange of ideas.
Many schools offer formal mentoring arrangements for beginning teachers, connecting them with experienced teachers (usually) in their subject area.
Our union also offers a complementary mentoring program for beginning and early career teacher members (first five years) who are seeking additional mentoring opportunities. Through our union’s program, members are matched with an experienced teacher member to facilitate mentoring and support.
Top tips:
- Engage with mentoring opportunities – formal and informal – and seek to build reciprocal professional relationships with colleagues.
- Be curious in conversations with colleagues and don’t be afraid to seek support when you need it.
- Get active in your IEU Chapter by attending meetings and engaging with updates from union delegates.
Professional relationships with school leaders
School leaders who “develop relationships based on respect, trust, care and integrity” with beginning teachers are more likely to ensure those teachers “flourish”.
Beginning teachers should expect their school leaders to create a supportive working environment where open communication is encouraged.
School leaders also play an important role in supporting early career teachers transitioning from provisional to full registration, reinforcing the importance of building a positive professional relationship.
Top tips:
- Establish rapport with your school leadership team.
- Seek support if you are struggling – and remember you can contact our union at any time for confidential advice and support on workplace concerns.
In summary
Completing tertiary studies and entering the classroom as a graduate teacher is an exciting time.
Fostering positive professional relationships with students, colleagues and school leaders will help ensure this time of transition leads to a rewarding teaching career.
