Beginning teachers can face anticipation, uncertainty, stress, concern, even fear when first taking up a teaching position. They have to implement all they have learned in the most effective way, create relationships with students, other staff and parents, become a part of a system, a school and a staff with all this implies, match the desirable with the possible and finally, cope with the physical demands of teaching full-time. While this can prove rewarding and hopefully does for new teachers, it makes for interesting times until the moment you are certain you made the right decision.

This page gives access to procedures and programs used in each state & territory, special reviews, reports and surveys, resources & tools, books, even Survival Guides. In doing so it looks at induction and mentoring where used and any other special programs.

For related information, visit the Professional Development pages.

States & Territories

Australian Capital Territory

• Canberra, Teach in
  Looks at teaching in Canberra. Check sections in the menu at the left.
• FAQs
  From how to apply, to placement.
• Support for New Educators
  ‘New educators are supported during the early years of their career through a variety of programs. One of the first information sessions is centrally organised Induction which provides the opportunity to meet departmental officers and receive introductory information about the department and support programs for new educators’.

New South Wales

• Beginning Teacher Conferences
  ‘Beginning Teacher Conferences are open to all new [beginning] teachers who are : employed as full time, temporary or casual teachers by the DET in the schools sector and located within a reasonable travelling distance of the conference’.
• Beginning Teacher Induction Policy
  From the NSW/ACT Independent Teachers Union.
• Early Career Teachers
  This professional learning process has sections on induction, new scheme teachers, preservice liaison, resources, supervision and general support practices.
• Induction [NSW]
  ‘Induction includes orientation to the NSW Department of Education and Training and to the school, as well as a school-based induction program involving structured supervision, collegial support, mentoring and professional networking’.
• Information and Support For Beginning Teachers
  Has three major links to Mentoring, The English K-6 syllabus and Early Career Teachers.
• Information for Newly Appointed Teachers
  ‘Welcome to your online site with information for newly appointed teachers. This page will give you quick access to information that will help you settle into your new role’.
• Probationary Service
  ‘Probationary teachers are beginning teachers and have the support of an appropriate induction and structured supervisory program’.
• Teacher Mentoring for Early Career Teachers

Northern Territory

• Induction Policy
  Catholic Education Office. The policy relating to induction of newly appointed teachers.
• Strong Beginnings
  An Explicit Guide to Quality Practice in The Early Years. ‘Aims to be a practical and explicit interpretation of the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework for the pre-compulsory years of preschool and transition. The resource is focused on achieving a guide to quality practice that is accessible to staff working in diverse contexts and with a range of qualifications and experiences’. Downloadable PDF files.
• Teacher Stories
  Read teacher stories from both remote and urban settings to see if such placements would suit you.

Queensland

• Beginning Teacher Induction
  ‘The Flying Start induction strategy renews the focus on induction for all Education Queensland beginning teachers. The strategy includes a suite of initiatives designed to highlight the responsibilities of school leaders, district and regional staff and beginning teachers themselves in this critical phase of an employee’s career’.
• Beginning Teachers’ Community
  Select Aspiring, Beginning, Establishing, Returning & Supply Teachers’ Community. ‘Set up to support teachers new to the profession as well as those more experienced who are interested in mentoring and sharing their wealth of knowledge and understandings about their work in schools’. Part of ‘The Learning Place’.
• Beginning to Teach
  ‘Highlights a variety of teaching and learning resources and professional information to support beginning teachers in their early career development’. From the Queensland College of Teachers.
• BETA
  Beginning and Establishing Teachers’ Association. ‘BETA strives to assist in maximising the effective induction of beginning and establishing teachers as professional educators in schools’. While Queensland oriented, it also provides a wealth of other/general information.
  Excellent !
• Employee Induction
  Policy & Procedures for Education Queensland. This includes the Flying Start Induction Toolkit for Beginning Teachers.
• New and Beginning Teachers
  ‘Resources for new teachers at the QTU Library’.

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South Australia

• Beginning Teachers Program
  Information and contact details from Catholic Education.
• Induction Toolbox
  Checklists, Evaluations, site orientation ideas, glossary, more. Select Induction Toolbox from the menu on the left.
• Mentor in the Workplace
• New Teacher Orientation
• Resources for New Teachers
  ‘As a teacher in DECD, you will need to know about a range of policies and resources, including’. those areas listed below.
• Settling into a New Community
  ‘For new teachers, particularly outside the metropolitan area, settling into the community is as important as settling into the school’.
• Starting at a New School as a Teacher
  ‘It’s natural to feel daunted or uncertain when starting a new career. The process of starting a new job as a teacher is called Teacher Induction and provides new teachers with : knowledge of the school, an understanding of the available personal and professional support, opportunities to develop effective teaching skills’. Links to documents and further information.
• Teacher Induction and Development
  Information, resources, support and Contact Information.
• Teacher Registration : Teachers Registration Board of South Australia

Tasmania

• BeTTR
  Beginning Teacher Time Release Program. ‘The purpose of time release will vary according to the needs of each beginning teacher, but may include : induction programs, ongoing feedback meetings, attendance at specific professional development programs, observation of experienced teachers, visiting other schools/colleges, … ’.
• Tasmania Together : Tasmania Together Plan
  Information about the plan including a link to Tasmania Together: Online Benchmarks.
• Department of Education -Teaching Graduates
  Media release.

Victoria

• Induction
  ‘Induction is one of the earliest stages within the continuum of teacher professional learning. It is about experienced and new teachers working together, continuously improving their practice and becoming part of a community of learners’. This site includes a link to The Induction Guide, which ‘takes you through the three phases of induction’ and provides a viable framework for development. Check a Resources page for other useful information.
• Mentoring
  ‘Mentoring offers individualised support to beginning and returning teachers’. Introduction with a further link to a Teacher Mentor Support Program.
• The e⁵ Instructional Model
  ‘The e⁵ Instructional Model was launched in 2009. Developed and tested over 18 months, it is a reference point for school leaders and teachers to develop a deeper understanding of what constitutes high quality teacher practice in the classroom’.

Western Australia

• Aspiring Teachers
  ‘Has a range of information that will acclimatise you with the internal structure and functions of the Department of Education and Training and teaching with them’.
• Induction [WA]
  Links to information.
• Induction Policy
  Available for download or reading online.
• Mentoring …
  A Professional Learning Partnership. ‘Mentoring is a great vehicle to facilitate the transfer of skills, knowledge and school culture. Establishing a formal mentor program will acknowledge the importance principals place on ensuring that their new staff are fully supported during their early years’.
• Professional Support
  For Graduate Teachers. ‘As a graduate teacher, you have access to a variety of employee benefits and support services’. Also suited to other beginning teachers.
• Register To Be a Mentor
  ‘The Western Australian College of Teaching is looking for experienced teachers to volunteer to give guidance and support to new teachers. To register your interest in becoming a Mentor, please email the College or email/fax back this form’.
  There appear to be some problems with the first link in this section. It will be maintained only until the next update unless these are resolved.

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Other Information

Books & Other Publications

• Beginning Teacher’s Handbook
  ‘Created by an experienced teacher and an actively engaged parent, the Beginning Teacher’s Handbook links best pedagogical practice with the essential tools you need to be classroom-ready’. You can check sample pages from this site.
• Dare to be Exceptional : Lighting the flame and keeping it burning
  ‘The title of Ms Dent’s address to the 2008 seminar of teachers in their first three years of teaching and those returning to the classroom after an absence from the profession’.
• New Teacher’s Kit
  ‘The New Teacher’s Kit is a complete set of downloadable, printable resources and classroom strategies, designed for a newly qualified primary or elementary teacher starting out in the classroom. Work smart, not hard, with the New Teachers Kit’.
• New-Teacher Toolbox
  ‘This is the book I wish I’d read before my first day in the classroom !’ US, but still applicable. Available through Amazon. Partly available through Google Books.

General Sites

• Beginning Teacher Myths
  ‘Here is a short list of misconceptions that new teachers often bring to the classroom’. NSW Teachers Federation.
• Beginning Teacher Resources
  ‘On this page you will be able to find a number of links, suggestions, and ideas to help make your first year of teaching just a little bit less overwhelming’. A second site with a smaller but just as valuable list can be found at Help for Beginning Teachers. Both are US based.
• First Years, Help for the New Teacher
  Links to resources to help during this period.
• Gigglepotz
  ‘At Gigglepotz we believe in actively engaging the student in the learning process. We are committed to providing materials that enable teachers to implement 21st Century skills, and enhance learning outcomes’.
  You need to be able to log in to access all areas of this site. Registration is Fee-based but reasonable. Some Free samples are available.
• Great Expectations …
  Helpful Hints for Beginning Teachers. Article full of advice from Dr Jane Bluestein.
• Starting Out Teaching
  From Teacher Support Network [UK]. Covers the first year of teaching.

Research, Reports & Surveys

• An Ethic of Care …
  [Effective Programmes for Beginning Teachers]
  ‘This report aims to improve the preparation and support of beginning teachers. It identifies principles and practices that effectively address their needs’. Abstract, summary and PDF copy available.
• Beginning Teacher Survey 2008
  New Educators Survey. Summary of the findings.
• Case Studies Of Mentoring
  In Beginning Teacher Induction Programs. Examples provided by the NSW Department of Education & Training, but not restricted to that state alone.
• Critical Pedagogy For Beginning Teachers
  the Movement From Despair To Hope. A research paper by Barry Kanpol, St Joseph’s University.
• Experiences of Beginning Teachers
  ‘This report provides an analysis of an on-line survey hosted by the Joint Principals’ Associations. The survey was completed by 1 351 teachers, all of whom have less than three years of teaching service’. Archived, but you can download a PDF Version from this site.
• From students of teaching …
  To Teachers of Students : Teacher Induction Around the Pacific Rim. >‘This report is based on the research conducted through three case studies of teacher induction - in Australia, Japan and New Zealand. The importance of teacher induction is made evident through the case studies, and various strategies including mentoring, support, professional development, models of good practice and appropriate intervention, are discussed at length’. Now archived in this format.
• Making Use of a Knowledge Building Community …
  To Develop Professional Socialisation. ‘In this paper we describe how we trialled a new model of teacher education known as the Knowledge Building Community Project at the University of Wollongong. The purpose of this project is to explore the viability of a Knowledge Building Community as an alternative model for preservice teacher education’.
• Mentoring and Beginning Teachers’ Workplace Learning
  Research paper by Rod Francis, Charles Sturt University.
• Mentoring in Education and Other Professions
  ePrint from the Queensland University of Technology. Looks at pre-service teachers in particular.
• National Beginning Teacher Survey
  ‘The inaugural AEU National Beginning Teacher Survey was conducted over the later part of term 4 2005. It attracted 1 207 responses, providing insights into beginning teachers’ attitudes to key issues including teacher supply, employment modes, and professional issues like workload, induction/mentoring and behaviour management’. Access a range of documents including an Detailed Summary of the responses here.
• Retaining Effective Early Career Teachers
  Article in Curriculum Leadership [Australia] on a study relating to this topic.
• Teachers Mentor Program
  Hansard Report from the NSW Parliament.
• The Aspirations and …
  Expectations of the New Generation of Teachers. Research discussion paper with bibliography. Includes other links.
• The Effect of the Physical Learning Environment on Teaching and Learning
  ‘In this topic we look at how research can inform and challenge our views about the effect of the physical learning environment on student achievement and teachers’ work. This discussion starter aims to promote the sharing of teachers knowledge and experience on this important subject’.

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Resources & Other Tools

• A Checklist for Beginning Teachers
  Done by the Alberta Teachers’ Association, Canada. Geared around Before the First Day, On the First Day and Throughout the Year]. Simple, thought provoking and full of common sense.
• Beginning and Casual Teachers
  Links to provide information that would assist both these groups. Compiled by a Sydney, NSW, Primary School.
• Beginning Teacher Links
  Select Beginning Teachers, then Click on General. Also check First Day Activities and a special page for Beginning Teachers.
• Beginning Teacher Tips
• Beginning Teachers’ Tool Box
  Extensive listing of resources and information. US developed.
• General Information
  ‘Welcome, to the wonderful and rewarding world of teaching ! As a beginning teacher, you probably have many questions and concerns. On these pages we have tried to provide you with answers, advice, encouragement, and inspiration’.
• me.edu.au
  ‘me.edu.au provides Australian education and training professionals with an online networking and profile space’. This is the beginning Teachers’ Forum.
• Mentoring beginning Teachers
  Program Handbook for this program. From the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
• National Induction Programme for Teachers
  ‘The National Induction Programme for Teachers aims to support the induction of newly qualified teachers into the teaching profession in primary schools in Ireland’. A very detailed example of what occurs in other countries. A range of resources can be accessed.
• The First Days of Of Middle School
  Extensive annotated links in 3 major directories - Help for New Teachers, Discipline & Classroom Management and The First Days of Middle School [for all teachers].

Survival Guides

• Back-to-School Guide For Beginning Teachers
  And Not-So-New Teachers Too !. ‘Education World has surfed deep into the Web to pull together this Back-to-School Guide for Beginning Teachers - a virtual survival guide for educators about to begin their first year in the classroom or for classroom veterans who are always looking for fresh ideas !’
• NEA - Management Tips for New Teachers
  Written by Karen Zauber. While US-oriented, it still covers all the essentials to help make your entry to teaching as good as possible. NEA - Advice for New Special Education Teachers targets one special group of teachers with broader advice.
• Survival Guide for New Teachers
  Developed by the US Department of Education, it contains a lot of useful things for you to consider. You can also download a PDF version from this site.
• Survival Guide For new teachers at UTS
  Different in that it applies to teachers at university level.Many topics are covered. Also visit their New Academic Staff page.
• The Survival Guide for Beginning Primary School Teachers
  This Australian book is Not Freeware but is based on one person’s experiences in Australian schools, from both sides of the situation.
• Tips for New Teachers
  Links to a range of articles providing tips on various aspects for beginning teachers. Suite 101. Various authors.
• What to Expect in Your First Year of Teaching
  While a little dated [1998], and US based, much of the information is still applicable. US Department of Education. Also in PDF format.

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