What Do New Teachers Need to Know?

What knowledge will make you most effective as a teacher? New teachers are often bombarded with information about the concepts they should understand and the topics they should master. This indispensable book will help you navigate the research on curriculum, cognitive science, student data and more, providing clarity and key takeaways for those looking to grow their teaching expertise.

What Do New Teachers Need to Know? explores the fundamentals of teacher expertise and draws upon contemporary research to offer the knowledge that will be most useful, the methods to retain that knowledge, and the ways expert teachers use it to solve problems. Written by an educator with extensive experience and understanding, each chapter answers a key question about teacher knowledge, including:

• Does anyone agree on what makes great teaching?

• How should I use evidence in my planning?

• Why isn’t subject knowledge enough?

• What should I know about my students?

• How do experts make and break habits?

• How can teachers think creatively whilst automating good habits?

• What do we need to know about the curriculum?

• How should Cognitive Load Theory affect our pedagogical decisions?

Packed with case studies and interviews with new and training teachers alongside key takeaways for the classroom, this book is essential reading for early career teachers, those undertaking initial teacher training and current teachers looking to develop their expertise.