Beginning teaching during COVID -19: advice from newly qualified teachers

The year 2020 was one of unprecedented uncertainty for initial teacher education (ITE) with newly qualified teachers (NQTs) entering schools in the summer of 2020 still disrupted by COVID-19. Unfortunately, these disruptions have continued into 2021. This study explored the advice a group of NQTs have for student-teachers graduating during the disruptions to education caused by COVID-19. Through the use of a qualitative online survey, NQTs were asked to provide advice to student-teachers graduating this year. The findings provide three pieces of advice for ITE graduates: (1) Be mentally prepared; (2) Be practically prepared; and (3) Be flexible and adaptable. It is hoped that the advice provided by NQTs will help ITE graduates feel better prepared to begin teaching during uncertain times.