As you move through your two-year journey to full certification while also teaching full time, at times, you might find it hard to maintain your motivation.
Being in the right mindset is vital to your success. With the right mindset, you can overcome obstacles and tackle the challenges of certification as they arise with positivity and enthusiasm.
Maintaining a positive mindset all the time can be hard though, especially if you’ve had a difficult week at work, you are tired or perhaps something else is taking up some of your emotional resources.
So, let’s look at how you can surround yourself with the right support and keep positive during your certification.
5 Ways To Build The Right Mindset To Conquer Your Certification Journey
1: Set Clear Goals
One way to keep on track with your certification and with your teaching journey, in general, is to make sure you set clear goals. I’m not talking about your inquiry goals here, these are separate goals that will help you move through the day-to-day juggle of teaching and certification.
Clear goals help you to see the path you need to take to achieve the next steps and reduce overwhelm. Using the SMART goal system is a great way to set goals that are clear and achievable.
If you want to know more about setting great goals throughout your certification journey, then check out my recent blog here. https://steppingforwardtosuccess.co.nz/setting-smart-goals-can-help/
2: Choose The Right Mentor
Your mentor is a key part of your certification, and you will work closely with them over the two-year period. So, it’s vital to choose a mentor that you gel with and that you feel comfortable talking to.
Your mentor will help you review and reflect on your work and will be your first point of call if you have any issues. They can also be an excellent source of stability and support. They too have been through the certification journey and know what it takes to get through to the other side.
The right mentor can be an immense pillar of support for you. If there are some things you’d rather discuss privately, there are external support systems that you can access. Such as my personal support, or my Roadmap to Certification Facebook support group.
3: Make Sure Your Wider Support Network Is In Place
Teaching can be a difficult job. Having a great support network in place gives you a solid foundation. Surround yourself with people who will help to build you up and who give you energy, whether that’s your partner, family, or a great group of friends.
It’s good to have other friends who are teachers with whom you can share work stories, but it can also be helpful to have friends or family in other professions, so you get a different perspective.
4: Try Not To Take Too Much Work Home
Sometimes, taking work home is unavoidable. And not doing it can be harder said than done. There may be times when you have to complete some of the work associated with your certification. But, as much as possible, try to not take work home with you.
In order to complete your certification, and to be a good teacher, day to day, you need adequate time to rest and refresh. That means giving yourself time to do things other than work (or work on your certification). Whether that’s exercise, getting out in nature or simply curling up with a cup of tea and a good book, make time for whatever recharges your batteries.
5: Make Time For Reflection
Reflection is a key part of your certification. But making time for wider and personal reflection can also help you. Take time to reflect on how you are feeling about your teaching role and the aspects of the job that are draining you and filling you with energy. This will help you see where changes need to be made.
If you are feeling a bit lost, take time to reflect on why you wanted to be a teacher in the first place or look for some positives, such as how you made a difference to a child’s learning. These realisations can help to ground you and reset your mindset.
Journaling can be a really helpful practice to get the thoughts out of your head and onto the page. Not only does this free up valuable brain space, but it can also help you to organise your thoughts and process things that are concerning you.
In Need Of More Support?
If you’d like some extra support as you move through your certification journey, then I have the perfect resource for you. My Roadmap to Certification will help you tackle every aspect of your certification, including your mindset.
Not only will you get a document that helps you map out your certification plan in manageable stages, but you’ll also get additional support from me. Plus, you’ll get access to our exclusive Facebook group where you can share things with other provisionally certified teachers to share your highs and lows.
Find out more about the Roadmap to Certification resource here: https://steppingforwardtosuccess.co.nz/roadmap-navigating-ece-provisional-teaching/
No waitlist required, it is available now!
Click here to read more about the Roadmap or click here to purchase the Roadmap to Certification ebook for Provisional Certified Teachers. Alternatively, if you are looking to get started on your professional Certification journey and are looking for some support, reach out today.