Did you know that around 44% of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years?
This shocking statistic reveals how important proper support is during the teacher preparation journey. Also, research shows that newbie teachers who receive structured guidance are 65% more likely to stay in the profession long-term.
The message is clear: support for preservice teachers is vital for the future of education. As a supervisor or senior educator, you can mentor newcomers. Your guidance can turn them from nervous beginners to confident classroom leaders. But first, let’s understand why your support truly matters.
Why Supporting Preservice Teachers Matters?
Preservice teachers are the educators of tomorrow. When they step into real classrooms for the first time, many face challenges their training did not fully prepare them for.
According to research, teacher dropout rates nearly doubled from 4.6% in 2015 to 9% in 2022. Without proper guidance, many new teachers feel overwhelmed and unprepared, sometimes questioning their career choices.
However, when you- as a supervisor or senior teacher- provide meaningful support to preservice teachers, everyone wins. Students learn better with confident, well-prepared teachers. Schools benefit from lower turnover rates. And the teaching profession as a whole grows stronger through collaboration and shared knowledge!
5 Best Ways to Support New Teachers
Preservice teachers, including the graduates of online teaching courses in Vietnam,need more than just encouragement. They need your help- those actionable strategies that can let them build confidence and improve their skills. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Give Feedback That Helps- Not Just Points Out Mistakes
The right feedback can make or break a preservice teacher’s confidence. When your feedback is specific, timely, and balanced, you turn it from criticism into a powerful growth tool.
Try out these approaches:
- Be specific. Instead of saying, ‘Your lesson was not engaging,’ try, ‘Your lesson had great pacing, but adding more open-ended questions could improve student participation.’
- Make it timely. Share your thoughts right after the lesson when the experience is still fresh.
- Balance strengths and growth areas. Say, ‘You handled those classroom transitions smoothly. To make it even better, try giving clear countdown signals before shifting activities.’
- Encourage written reflections on feedback to help preservice teachers track their progress and apply insights to future lessons.
- Offer clear, actionable advice such as ‘Try standing near students who are off-task to refocus them without interrupting your lesson.’ Vague comments like ‘You need to manage the class better’ don’t help.
2. Show, Don’t Just Tell What Good Teaching Looks Like
Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to learn something when you see it done first? Preservice teachers feel the same way. When you demonstrate effective teaching practices, you give them a blueprint they can follow.
Make sure to display:
- Classroom management in action. Show how you handle distractions, manage transitions, and keep students engaged.
- Lesson delivery techniques. Demonstrate how you introduce topics, check for understanding, and wrap up lessons effectively.
- Engagement strategies. Let them see you using techniques like storytelling, hands-on activities, or technology tools.
3. Encourage Reflection- Because Growth Happens in the ‘Why’ Moments
Teaching is more than what happens in the classroom. It is about thinking about what happened afterward. When you help new teachers develop reflection habits, you train them with a skill that will serve them throughout their careers. Remind them to see reflection not as self-criticism but as a learning experience. Help them see mistakes as stepping stones, not failures.
Try these reflection prompts:
- ‘What worked well in your lesson today, and why?’
- ‘What challenges did you face, and how might you tackle them next time?’
- ‘If you could teach this lesson again tomorrow, what one thing would you change?’
4. Provide the Right Tools- Because Passion Alone Is Not Enough
Even the most enthusiastic teacher needs practical resources to succeed. When you share ready-to-use personal materials and strategies, you help preservice teachers feel prepared and capable from day one.
Consider sharing:
- Lesson plan templates that help structure effective learning experiences.
- Technology tools like Nearpod, Kahoot, or Jamboard that make learning interactive.
- Behavior management strategies such as non-verbal cues, classroom routines, and positive reinforcement technique
5. Create a Safe Space for Questions and Mistakes
Teaching is complex and demanding. No preservice teacher gets everything right the first time. Creating an environment where questions are welcomed and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities helps new teachers develop confidence and growth mindsets.
How to build this supportive atmosphere:
- Normalize asking for help by sharing your challenges and questions.
- Respond to mistakes with curiosity rather than judgment.
- Make time for regular check-ins beyond formal observation sessions.
- Celebrate small wins and improvements along the way.
- Share your teaching journey, including the struggles you faced early on.
Bottom Line
Remember that shocking statistic from the beginning? You can help change it. New teachers and those recently pursued Online Teacher Training Programs in Vietnam, need your guidance and support. With your feedback and resources, they can stay committed to the profession and succeed. What simple step will you take today to help a new teacher grow?