Joe Garrity

NAME Joe Garrity
SCHOOL Talford Infant School
LOCAL AUTHORITY Warwick
AREA OF WORK Early years provision
QUALIFICATIONS BA American studies, University of Hull (2001); Early years PGCE, University of Warwick (2008)

After my undergraduate degree I moved to Barcelona where I taught English as a foreign language (TEFL) for six years. I loved it, but I was ready for the next step and knew I needed to pursue another qualification. A PGCE appealed more than a TEFL diploma, so my wife and I returned to the UK.

Enthusiasm is infectious in an early years classroom

I teach a class of 30 five-year-olds. I chose this age group as I feel I connect well with them. They are very excitable and keen to learn, as everything is new to them. Their enthusiasm is infectious – we recently put on a production of The Tempest and they really got into making sets, learning lines and rehearsing songs. The biggest challenge is getting them to listen as despite being eager pupils, they don’t find it easy to concentrate.

They are very excitable and keen to learn, as everything is new to them.

Set down ground rules at home and at school

The things I have struggled with most during my NQT year have been behavioural management and the demands of parents. Young children don’t respond well to being told off, so I try to concentrate on praise rather than punishment, though it can still be hard to calm them down after an eventful lunch break. I have become increasingly organised and learned to be more relaxed when a day goes off track.

Teaching young children is the most rewarding thing I have ever done, but you need to make sure you go into it with your eyes open. It’s hard work, the hours are long and the first term won’t go as planned! But you reap what you sow and if you take the time to be a good teacher, you’ll get loads back. I’d advise NQTs to make sure they use their preparation time wisely and enforce a strict ‘no working after a certain time’ rule at home, to ensure a healthy work/life balance.