Teaching for Realists: Making the education system work for you and your pupils

(Paperback)

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Teaching for Realists is a funny and honest guide to surviving and thriving as a newly qualified teacher, despite the challenges of the education system. We all know the education system has its flaws, but they shouldn't stand in the way of providing the very best learning experiences for your pupils. This book presents a ground-up approach to help you manage the obstacles you might encounter and implement day-to-day methods to maintain your love for the profession, teach effective lessons and ensure pupil progress. Omar Akbar, author of The (Un)official Teacher's Manual, offers a wealth of hard-won practical advice for avoiding frustration and developing teaching techniques that have a real impact in the classroom. Full of hilarious anecdotes and exploring hot topics such as pupil apathy, enriching the curriculum, Ofsted, data and behaviour, this book is a refreshing and uplifting take on what NQTs can do to have a happy, healthy and successful career in education starting now.

Reviews

Omar Akbar has done it again! Having had the pleasure of speaking to Omar on Naylor's Natter, I can confirm that his funny, direct style comes straight from his passion for teaching in his classroom. This book is perfectly timed as we see a resurgence in recruitment to what Omar describes as 'the best job in the world. 'Teaching for Realists' will make your life easier. The book condenses lived experience into actions which, alongside continuing professional development, will make a big difference to your practice and your learners progress. Omar has his finger on the pulse of educational developments. His pragmatic, self-effacing advice makes it enjoyable to imbibe his years of lived experience. Recommended for realists everywhere. -- Phil Naylor, host of Naylor's Natter Podcast and deputy headteacher, @pna1977
Its not often an edu-book makes me smile and even less often does one make me laugh. Omars take on all things education is a reminder that we can take our business seriously without being serious all the time. From jammed photocopiers to rabbit hutches and frozen warts, theres much in here to reassure any colleague that were all in in together and we all have one of those days regardless of how long weve been teaching. -- Emma Turner, Discovery Trust research and CPD lead and author, @Emma_Turner75
Another fantastically written book by Omar in his usual direct, funny and unique writing style. It encapsulates the teaching profession perfectly, providing brilliant and realistic advice for teachers of all educational experience. A must read for any teacher and one we cant recommend highly enough. Truthful, funny and realistic - it's a book that captures teaching in the best possible way! -- Matt and Sam, student teachers and hosts of Teachers of Tomorrow Podcast, @TofTPod
Teaching for Realists is like having a really wise, old teacher friend who tells you how it really is, makes you laugh but ultimately makes you realise that you will be OK. There is so much sense, wisdom and humour packed into this book! As Omar says, "You can make the education system work for you and your pupils". And this book shows you how. I wish I had read this book when I was new to teaching. -- Adrian Bethune, teacher, author and founder of Teachappy, @AdrianBethune
I love this book. It oozes empathy, experience, wit and wisdom. Omar writes as a passionate, committed and practicing teacher who knows what it is to struggle and yet still knows ours is the best job in the world. It poses lots of the questions that many new teachers are anxious to ask and reassures them that they are not alone, whilst providing tons of pragmatic advice about negotiating life in teaching. -- Emma Kell, coach, wellbeing trainer, teacher and author, @thosethatcan
A useful handbook for those embarking on their first year of teaching, exploring key aspects of the role. -- @digicoled * UKEdChat *

Author Bio

Omar Akbar is a science teacher at a secondary school in Birmingham and author of the bestselling NQT guide The (Un)official Teachers Manual and Bad School Leadership. You can read Omars blog at theunofficialteachersmanual.blog and follow him on Twitter @UnofficialOA.