Research Study: Newly Qualified Teachers' Experiences in Schools - Letter to Self

This study is a qualitative study, and it will adopt a framework for Retrospective Self Reflection. In other words, self-narrated experiences of teachers will be analysed in order to understand some of the challenges associate with first year of teaching as NQTs, provide insight into NQTs experiences, and to further inform teacher preparation specifically in the area of professional development planning.

Teachers with a minimum of two years post-qualification teaching experience in primary and post-primary schools across Ireland (i.e. teachers who have completed the initial phase of the NQT induction in Ireland - Droichead) are hereby invited to reflect on their experiences during their first year of teaching, and based of their professional learning and development to date, are being asked to write a letter to their former -NQT self. The letter will present a brief reflection on the teachers' overall experience of their first year of teaching, and offer advise on how to navigate some of the challenges associated with teaching and learning based on their present professional knowledge and experience on the job. In other words, teachers are invited to write a short letter addressed to their former-NQT self, outlining:

• The most significant challenges encountered during the first year of teaching and
• Offer key advice that, in hindsight, may have supported their early professional development

Teachers who meet the requirement to participate in this study are invited to click on the secure Microsoft Forms URL link below where they will be asked to give their informed consent to participate in the study and submit a letter to self. Anonymity of all participants in this study will be protected. Also, the letter to self does not require personal information which may compromise participants anonymity.

Data provided by participants of this study (letter to self) will be analysed with the aim of suggesting tools for supporting NQTs through the teacher induction process and the challenges of first year of teaching based on the experiences of other whom have gone through similar situation, and to further inform teacher preparation specifically in the area of supporting pre-service teachers in professional development planning as they progress into the teaching profession. The outcome of the data analysis will be disseminated through academic publications and conference presentations.

The overall goals of the proposed study are, first, to promote teacher reflective practice as they reflect on their experiences of teaching as qualified, yet novice teacher in their first year of teaching. Second, to suggest tools for supporting NQTs through the initial phase of teaching and the challenges of first year of teaching based on the experiences of other whom have gone through similar situation. Third, to further inform teacher preparation specifically in supporting pre-service teachers in professional development planning as they progress into the teaching profession.

If you consent to take part in this research project, it is important that you understand the purpose of the project and tasks you will be asked to complete. Please make sure that you contact the lead researcher to ask any questions you may have, and that all your questions have been answered to your satisfaction before you agree to participate.

It is possible that there may be no direct benefit to you from your participation in this project. However, your participation may contribute to you improving your reflective practice as a teacher as you reflect on your experiences of teaching. Also, the knowledge gained from your participation in this study will suggest tools for supporting NQTs through the teacher induction process and the challenges of first year of teaching based on the experiences you share.

The outcome of this study will also contribute to improving teacher preparation specifically in the area of supporting pre-service teachers in professional development planning as they progress into the teaching profession.

There are no specific risks anticipated with participating in this project.

Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. All the data you provide will be anonymised as part of the data analysis process, including any information that may be used to identify you and the school where you work.

Due to the anonymous nature of this survey, all participants have the right to withdraw up to the point at which they submit their letter to self. Once the letter has been submitted, withdrawal is no longer possible. Because the data is collected anonymously, it would not be possible to identify and remove any specific data of any participant who may later wish to withdraw from the study.