Skip to content
heapso
Start free

First-term checklist for beginning teachers

Everything worth sorting before your first term, in the order you'll need it. Tick it off as you go and take it to your first mentor meeting.
Download PDF

Free, no sign-in. Word and PDF, A4.

How to use it

  • Do the certification items first. Everything else can be fixed on the go.
  • Use it to plan your first mentor meeting: what's done, what you need help with.
  • Your school's own induction list comes first. This one fills the gaps.

What's in it

  1. Before term starts
  2. Week one
  3. First month
  4. Ongoing

Preview

First-term checklist for beginning teachers

NameSchool
Mentor teacherTerm and year

Before term starts

  • Teaching Council registration and Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate in place (it needs a satisfactory police vet, so apply early) teachingcouncil.nz: apply for a Tōmua
  • Know who your mentor teacher is and when you'll meet. Your school should give you a formal induction and mentoring programme of at least two years teachingcouncil.nz: induction and mentoring
  • School email, logins and the student management system working
  • Read the key policies: behaviour, health and safety, emergencies, child protection and digital use
  • Find out the planning expectations, templates and the term's curriculum focus
  • Class list, plus any learning support, health or care notes (allergies, medical plans, who can collect whom)
  • Room set up: seating, a gathering space, resources where ākonga can reach them
  • First week planned in detail and the first few weeks in outline
  • A relief folder ready: day sheet, class list, routines and a spare lesson
  • Introduced yourself to the office team, caretaker and your team or department

Week one

  • Learn every name and how to say it correctly
  • Teach routines step by step and practise them: coming in, getting attention, transitions, toilets, devices, packing up
  • Agree class expectations with your ākonga and display them
  • Quick, low-stakes activities to see where learners are
  • A short hello to whānau: who you are, how to reach you, what's coming up this term
  • Know the fire, earthquake and lockdown procedures for your room
  • Start a list of questions for your mentor

First month

  • First mentor meeting held and goals set together
  • Start your induction records: meeting notes, goals, reflections, feedback and observations
  • Arrange an observation of your teaching, and observe an experienced colleague
  • A positive contact with every family (a call, note or email)
  • Check in with your learning support coordinator or SENCO about ākonga who need extra support
  • Reteach any routine that isn't working yet
  • A simple system for assessment notes and work samples
  • At least one evening a week with no schoolwork

Ongoing

  • Meet your mentor regularly and keep notes from each meeting
  • Collect evidence against the Standards for the Teaching Profession as you go, not at the end teachingcouncil.nz: the Standards
  • Reflect after key lessons and file the reflection with the plan
  • Use any release time for planning, observing and professional learning
  • Note your Tōmua expiry date: it's issued for three years, and you're expected to move to a Tūturu | Full Practising Certificate within five
  • Ask for help early, from your mentor, your team or the school's leaders

Made with Heapso. Free Pro for student teachers: heapso.com/student-teachers

Open in Heapso and Pip fills it in

Pip plans your first unit week by week, so the first weeks are ready before you walk in.

Open in Heapso

More free templates

Studying to teach? Heapso Pro is free for student teachers.