Teach17

David Edward Garcia offers an honest and humorous look at the challenges of teaching, reminding educators that success is about purpose, resilience and progress rather than perfection. Here are 17 practical takeaways inspired by the book that teachers can apply straight away.

1. Set one meaningful and achievable goal for the term so that your energy remains focused on something that will genuinely improve pupils’ learning.
2. Decide what a successful year looks like for you, remembering that making steady progress through difficult periods is an achievement in itself.
3. Reconnect regularly with the reasons you became a teacher, especially when workload, behaviour or unexpected setbacks begin to affect your motivation.
4. Respond to what pupils need today while continuing to develop the knowledge, confidence and habits that will support them throughout their lives.
5. Accept that one difficult lesson does not define your ability, because even excellent teachers experience days when their carefully prepared plans do not work.
6. Use appropriate humour to reduce tension, strengthen classroom relationships and help everyone regain perspective when the school day becomes particularly demanding.
7. Spend a few minutes each week reflecting on what worked well, what needs improving and where your teaching made a noticeable difference.
8. Keep a record of small victories, encouraging comments and breakthrough moments so that difficult experiences do not become the only ones you remember.
9. Treat mistakes and setbacks as useful information, then adjust your approach instead of viewing every problem as evidence that you have failed.
10. Invest time in learning about your pupils’ interests, strengths and experiences, because genuine connection makes engagement, communication and behaviour easier to develop.
11. Build supportive relationships with colleagues, share useful ideas and ask for help before everyday teaching challenges become overwhelming or isolating.
12. Protect your time and energy by setting realistic boundaries, prioritising essential work and accepting that every task cannot receive unlimited attention.
13. Concentrate on the actions you can control, including your preparation, responses and consistency, rather than becoming consumed by circumstances you cannot change.
14. Use memorable stories and real examples to make learning meaningful, capture pupils’ attention and help important ideas remain in their long-term memory.
15. Be willing to change a lesson when pupils need something different, recognising that thoughtful flexibility is a teaching strength rather than a planning failure.
16. Look after your own wellbeing and sense of humour, because because sustainable teaching requires a healthy person as well as a knowledgeable professional.
17. Keep moving forward with purpose, but remember that being a successful teacher does not require an award, constant perfection or sacrificing your entire life.

Find How to Be Teacher of the Year (or Just Make It to Summer) on Amazon UK.