Whether you’re a first-year teacher education student about to embark on a placement, or a final-year student thinking about your journey into employment, be sure to make use of these with top tips from the Teach NSW team.

Recently, Teach NSW Podcast co-hosts Shannon and Siobhan sat down with Lauren, Chief Education Officer, Teach NSW, in Season 2, Episode 4 to discuss pre-service teacher essentials. In this article, we’ve unpacked the key takeaways from the episode to create your go-to guide for navigating university placements, building confidence and getting classroom-ready.

Set goals early on into your practicum placement

Placements are more than a course requirement, they’re your best chance to develop your teaching skills, teaching persona, make connections with the broader school community and identify areas for growth.

‘Think before you go in, what do you want to get out of this prac?’ says Lauren. ‘Look at the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and ask your supervising teacher for chances to build your confidence in those areas.’

Top tips from the episode:

• Ask to observe or participate in areas you're less confident in (e.g., parent-teacher interviews or providing feedback to students).
• Reflect on gaps in your experience and be proactive about addressing them.

Embrace the school culture and unique identity

Pre-service teaching isn’t just about your classroom, it’s about understanding how schools work.

‘Go to the staffroom. Introduce yourself across the school. You never know where that conversation will lead,’ says Siobhan.

What this can look like:

• Connect with staff beyond your supervising teacher. Many teaching jobs start with a friendly conversation in the staffroom or front office.
• Observe lessons in other stages or faculties.
• Take part in whole-school events such as co-curricular activities and clubs, sports carnivals and assemblies.

Start building your teacher toolkit

From lesson planning to classroom management strategies, having a toolkit of resources will boost your confidence especially on casual days.

‘I had a grab-and-go kit with activities for every stage, stickers, stamps, and even a whistle,’ Shannon shared. ‘It made me feel ready for anything.’

Your kit might include:

• flexible, stage-appropriate lessons or books
• logins or access to digital platforms like the Universal Resources Hub
• essentials like a hat, water bottle and whistle.

Understand the pathway to employment

The transition from pre-service teacher to classroom teacher involves more than just finishing your degree. Knowing the approval process and options for casual, temporary or permanent employment can give you a head start.

‘Apply for your NESA accreditation and approval to teach as soon as you're eligible,’ Lauren explains. ‘Then jump onto platforms like ClassCover or check out JobFeed for opportunities.’

Quick checklist:

• Apply for NESA Conditional or Provisional accreditation depending on your course status.
• Apply for approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education and prepare for the online suitability interview.
• Subscribe to JobFeed to stay up-to-date with job openings.
• Set up your ClassCover profile to begin casual teaching while you study.

Embrace the learning curve

You’re not expected to know everything from day one. What matters is your willingness to learn, reflect and connect.

‘Every teacher remembers what it was like to be on their first prac,’ says Shannon. ‘Ask questions, say yes to opportunities and take the pressure off needing to be perfect.’

Listen to episode 4 of the Teach NSW Podcast for more stories, strategies and support from those who’ve walked in your shoes.

Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.