Starting out as a teacher can feel overwhelming. But the good news is: you’re not alone.
Many experienced educators and researchers have shared their wisdom through books and podcasts that can support, inspire, and guide you through your teacher training and early career.
Here’s a hand-picked selection of reads and listens we think every new teacher should know about.
Books
Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov
Packed with practical teaching techniques used by top-performing teachers, this book is an essential for teachers of all stages. It’s particularly helpful for understanding what high-impact teaching looks like in action.
Making Every Lesson Count by Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby
This book takes six core teaching principles — challenge, explanation, modelling, practice, feedback, and questioning — and shows how to embed them in everyday lessons.
Rosenshine’s Principles in Action by Tom Sherrington
Barak Rosenshine’s ten principles of instruction are a gold standard in educational research. Tom Sherrington’s interpretation makes them easy to understand and apply.
Running the Room by Tom Bennett
Behaviour management is one of the most common challenges for new teachers. This book breaks down the essentials of creating a calm, safe, and respectful classroom environment – how to ‘run the room’ effectively.
Podcasts
Thinking Deeply about Primary Education (TDAPE)
Created by teacher and researcher Kieran Mackle, TDAPE dives into what makes great teaching, especially at primary level. Topics include curriculum design, cognitive science, and classroom routines — with a no-nonsense, evidence-based approach.
Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe
Hosted by Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, this podcast brings a global perspective to educational issues. It tackles big ideas like teacher development, curriculum reform, and assessment, while staying grounded in practical classroom relevance.
Inside Voices: A Teacher Podcast
Learn from those who came before you by listening to teachers telling their own stories — from trainees to experienced educators. It’s honest, personal, and a great reminder that every teacher’s journey is unique.
The Evidence Based Education Podcast
Great for understanding the ‘why’ behind teaching, this podcast explores how research can be translated into effective classroom practice. It covers topics like formative assessment, feedback, and instructional design.
The Trainee to ECT Podcast
A podcast from Twinkl, designed to help trainee teachers and ECTs go into the classroom feeling confident.