Confidence in teaching isn’t about feeling fearless. It’s about feeling capable — knowing that, even when lessons don’t go to plan, you have the skills and mindset to handle whatever happens.
It’s also deeply linked to pupil experience. Research by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) shows that when teachers feel more confident, pupils are more engaged and make better progress. A confident teacher radiates calm and consistency — and pupils thrive on that.
But here’s the secret: confidence doesn’t come before success. It comes from it — one small win at a time.
Accept That Feeling Overwhelmed Is Normal
Every new teacher feels overwhelmed. You’re managing lesson planning, behaviour, marking, meetings, admin, and possibly a new school culture — all at once. The first step to building confidence is accepting that uncertainty doesn’t mean failure.
Even experienced teachers have off days. They misjudge timings. They lose control of a class. They forget to print the handouts. The difference is that they’ve learned not to let those moments define them.
💡 Try this:
Keep a “Confidence Log.” At the end of each week, jot down three things that went well — no matter how small. Over time, you’ll start to see your own growth, even on tough weeks.
Related reading: 10 Time-Saving Hacks for Teachers: Planning, Marking, and Admin
Focus on Relationships, Not Perfection
When you’re new, it’s tempting to obsess over the perfect lesson plan or faultless classroom display. But confidence comes more from connection than perfection.
Pupils respond to teachers who show genuine care, consistency, and fairness. If they know you believe in them, they’ll give you space to make mistakes — and learn alongside them.
Real example:
One new Year 7 teacher found her most challenging class became her favourite after she learned every pupil’s name within two days and greeted them at the door with a smile. Her lessons weren’t flawless, but pupils started to respect her effort and energy.
“Once I stopped trying to be perfect and started focusing on knowing my pupils, everything changed,” she said.
Observe, Borrow, and Adapt
One of the fastest ways to grow as a teacher is to watch great teachers in action. Observe their pacing, tone, transitions, and behaviour management — then adapt what fits your style.
Most schools encourage peer observation, and ECTs have dedicated time for it under the Early Career Framework. Don’t waste that opportunity.
When observing, focus on:
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How they gain attention and set expectations.
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How they differentiate tasks for different pupils.
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How they handle small disruptions calmly.
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How they use voice, movement, and humour.
Then try one of those techniques in your next lesson. Building confidence isn’t about reinventing the wheel — it’s about finding your version of it.
External link: Early Career Framework (Department for Education)
Plan for Success — but Stay Flexible
Confidence grows when lessons go well — and that usually comes from solid planning. But don’t confuse detailed planning with rigid control. The most confident teachers are those who plan for flexibility.
Structure your lessons so you have:
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A clear learning objective (what pupils will know or do).
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A quick assessment method (to see if they’re getting there).
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A few “plan B” activities or prompts (in case things go off track).
If something isn’t working, change it. The ability to pivot mid-lesson — without panic — is one of the strongest signs of growing confidence.
Pro tip:
Use your plan as a guide, not a script. Real teaching happens in the unpredictable moments.
Celebrate Small Wins (and Learn from the Rest)
Confidence is cumulative. It builds through every positive phone call home, every successful group activity, every pupil who finally “gets it.”
Instead of chasing huge breakthroughs, start noticing micro-successes:
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That one quiet pupil who volunteered an answer.
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The lesson that finished exactly on time.
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The parent who said “Thank you” at parents’ evening.
Each of these moments is proof that you’re doing something right.
When things don’t go well — and they will — treat it as data, not disaster. Ask:
“What didn’t work? Why? What will I try differently next time?”
That mindset shift turns failure into fuel for confidence.
Build a Support Network
Teaching is hard — but it’s much harder alone. Confident teachers often have strong support systems: mentors, colleagues, online communities, or friends who understand the job.
If you’re an ECT, your mentor is your first line of support. Don’t just meet for paperwork — ask them to model lessons, give you honest feedback, or observe specific challenges you’re facing.
Beyond school, connect with communities like:
These spaces are full of people who’ve been where you are — and come out stronger.
🧩 Related: Top Skills Schools Look for in New Teachers (and How to Showcase Them)
Manage Your Time — and Protect Your Energy
Exhaustion is confidence’s biggest enemy. You can’t feel effective when you’re running on empty.
Set realistic limits.
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Choose one or two areas to focus on improving each term.
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Batch your marking or use verbal feedback strategies to save time.
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Don’t compare your workload to the teacher who’s been doing this for 15 years.
As one experienced teacher put it:
“You don’t have to be amazing at everything. You just have to get a little better, every week.”
Protecting your wellbeing isn’t selfish — it’s sustainable professionalism. The most confident teachers are often the ones who know when to rest.
Keep Learning — But Don’t Drown in Advice
New teachers are bombarded with advice. Some of it’s brilliant; some of it’s contradictory. Take what helps, leave what doesn’t.
Confidence comes from reflection and refinement, not following every new strategy. Keep a notebook (or digital journal) of techniques that genuinely work for you — your “Teaching Toolkit.”
Every time you revisit it, you’ll be reminded how much you’ve grown.
Remember: You’re Making a Difference
On the toughest days — the lessons that flop, the feedback that stings — it helps to zoom out. Teaching is one of the few professions where you can see the difference you make daily, even if pupils don’t say it outright.
The child who used to avoid your subject now looks forward to your class.
The parent who once worried is now grateful.
The student who struggled has found their voice.
Those moments are confidence fuel. Collect them. Keep them. They’re your proof that you’re already the teacher you hoped to become.
Final Thoughts
Confidence doesn’t arrive overnight — it’s built, one lesson at a time. Every teacher you admire has stood exactly where you are now: tired, uncertain, but determined.
So give yourself permission to grow slowly. You don’t have to be “the best.” You just have to keep showing up, reflecting, and caring — and the confidence will follow naturally.
If you’re an ECT or early-career teacher, remember: You’re not just learning to teach — you’re learning to be a teacher. And that’s a process worth trusting.
