Teaching for Realists

Making the education system work for you and your pupils

Omar Akbar author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Published:8th Jul '21

£12.99

Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.

Teaching for Realists cover

A funny and honest guide to surviving and thriving as an early career teacher, in spite of the challenges of the education system. Omar Akbar, author of The (Un)official Teacher’s Manual, explores the issues facing the profession and gives a wealth of hard-won advice for overcoming the obstacles and embarking on a happy, healthy and successful career in education.

Teaching for Realistsis a funny and honest guide to surviving and thriving as an early career 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 newly qualified teachers can do to have a happy, healthy and successful career in education – starting now. Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Why teaching is the best job in the world 3. How to make the curriculum work 4. How to overcome pupil apathy 5. How to make paper work 6. How to manage all things data 7. How to survive against the Ofsted odds 8. How to manage behaviour policies 9. How to use rewards effectively 10. How to build positive relationships with your pupils 11. How to get the support you need 12. How to be a happy teacher

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
It’s not often an edu-book makes me smile and even less often does one make me laugh. Omar’s 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, there’s much in here to reassure any colleague that we’re all in in together and we all have “one of those days” regardless of how long we’ve 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 can’t 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 *

ISBN: 9781472985286

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 150g

112 pages