The ECT Coach

✨ECTs, START HERE ✨ If you’re an Early Career Teacher who feels overwhelmed, exhausted, or quietly questioning whether you’re cut out for this, you’re not alone. The behaviour challenges. The constant self-doubt. That Sunday-night dread that never seems to go away. I’m Ruth, an ECT Coach with 22 years of teaching and leadership experience, and I’ve supported both new and established teachers through these exact moments — helping them move from survival mode to feeling confident, calm and back in control in the classroom. This space is for you if you want: ✔ Practical behaviour strategies that actually work ✔ Support that feels realistic, not overwhelming ✔ Reassurance that you’re doing better than you think 💬 Ready for more support? Come and join The ECT Lounge — a supportive, judgement-free space for ECTs who want guidance, clarity and confidence without burning themselves out. 👇 Follow along for ECT support 🔗 Link in bio to join The ECT Lounge You don’t have to carry this on your own 💛 #ect #ectyear #ectteacher #earlycareerteacher #earlycareerteachers #newteacher #newteachers #pgcestudenr #traineeteacher #primaryteacher #eyfsteacher #teacherpositivity #teacherconfidence #jumpstartjanuary2026 @businesssecretsclub

📣 Early Career Teachers – This is for you! Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck in your first years of teaching? You don’t have to do it alone. 💡 Welcome to The ECT Lounge, your go-to space for support, strategies, and connection. When you join, you’ll get: ✨ Daily wellbeing checks👉stay on top of your mental and emotional health ✨ Private support in a closed Facebook group 👉ask questions and get advice in a safe space ✨ Optional accountability WhatsApp group 👉 stay on track with your ECT targets and goals ✨ Workload support 👉tips, templates, and strategies to manage marking, planning, and more ✨ Monthly co-working sessions 👉get focused, productive time with fellow teachers ✨ Bitesized CPD linked to the Teachers’ Standards👉 grow your skills without overwhelm ✨ Monthly live Q&A sessions 👉get your questions answered in real time ✨ Peer support from other ECTs who get it ✨ Expert tips to reduce stress and boost classroom confidence Teaching doesn’t have to feel lonely. Step into a space where you’re supported, understood, and empowered. 🖤 👉 Join The ECT Lounge today and thrive in your early career! The links in the bio, baby! #ect #ectteacher #earlycareerteacher #earlycareerteachers #newteachers #newteacher #ectyear #ectteachersuk #primaryteacher #eyfsteacher #secondaryteacher #teacherpositivity #teacherconfidence

Happy New Year 🎉 If this is the year you stop just surviving ECT life and start feeling confident, capable and in control in the classroom, then welcome 🤍 I’m Ruth, an ECT coach with 22 years of teaching experience, currently working as a Head, and I’ve supported many early career teachers to successfully navigate their ECT years with clarity, confidence and calm. I know first-hand how overwhelming the early years of teaching can feel – the behaviour challenges, the self-doubt, the pressure to get everything “right”. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. On this page, you’ll find: • Practical classroom strategies that actually work • Confidence and mindset support for real school life • Honest guidance from someone who’s been there and gets it ✨ If you’re an ECT who wants support that’s realistic, encouraging and proven to work… you’re in the right place. 👉 DM me “LOUNGE” to join The ECT Lounge and get access to extra guidance, resources and a supportive community designed to help you thrive this year – not just survive. #earlycareerteacher #ect #ectteachergramgroup #ectteacher #teacherconfidence #newteacher #earlycareerteachers #teacherpositivity #newteachers #ectyear

Things You Do NOT Need to Apologise for as an ECT 👇 Not having it all figured out yet. You’re learning, that’s the whole point Asking questions (even the “obvious” ones) never forget that questions = growth, silence = staying stuck Saying “no” to extra responsibilities. Protecting your energy isn’t selfish, it’s necessary Setting boundaries with your time. Remember that you deserve a life outside of school Managing challenging behaviour. We know it’s part of the job, not a reflection of your worth Leaving work at a reasonable hour. True fact that rested teachers are better teachers You are allowed to be human while you learn how to teach. 🤍 Save this for the days you need reminding. #earlycareerteacher #earlycareerteachers #newteachers #newteacher #ectyear

Bank Holiday Sunday and you’re not opening your laptop today. Right? 👀 If you know me, you’ll know I’m all about protecting your time outside of school. Evenings, weekends, holidays, they are yours. Always. Yes, something might occasionally need your attention but working through your personal time shouldn’t be your default. The to-do list isn’t going anywhere. But your energy? That’s something you need to look after today. Rest isn’t a luxury, it’s necessary. Having a life beyond teaching is necessary. If you feel like you have to get something done: Set a 40-minute timer. Focus. Finish. Then stop. No stretching it across the whole day. Shut the laptop. Protect your peace. Go into the new week feeling like yourself again not completely drained. So what are you doing today that has nothing to do with work? ⬇️ #earlycareerteacher #newteachers #teacherwellbeing #earlycareerteachers #newteacher

Here’s one of the questions I get asked the most by ECTs who don’t want to work weekends ➡️ How do you actually keep up with school work AND still have a life? It can feel like teaching takes over everything but it doesn’t have to. Here are some simple strategies to help you protect your time (and your sanity): 🕒 During the school day ✔ Use your PPA wisely so plan before it starts so you don’t waste it ✔ Batch tasks (marking, emails, planning) instead of jumping between everything ✔ Keep a “parking lot” list for distractions so you stay focused 🏠 After school ✔ Set a cut-off time (e.g. leave by 5pm) and stick to it ✔ Focus on 1–2 must-dos and everything else can wait ✔ Reuse templates/resources so that you stop reinventing the wheel 🌿 Protect your personal life ✔ Schedule non-negotiables (gym, hobbies, seeing friends) ✔ Keep schoolwork in one space at home (or better not at home at all) ✔ Remember: you are a person first, teacher second You don’t need to give up your weekends to be a great teacher. You’ll thank yourself later 💛 Found this useful? Hit follow for more real-life ECT support 🖤# #earlycareerteacher #ect #earlycareerteachers #newteachers #newteacher

If behaviour feels worse on a Monday…you’re not imagining it. I remember barely getting through the register some Monday mornings and it already feeling louder, busier, harder than the week before 😅 That’s because Monday isn’t just a “new day” for children… it’s a full reset. Let’s face it, the weekends just roll differently! Different routines. More screen time and/or sugar. Different expectations. Lots of emotions still lingering from the weekend. So instead of jumping straight into learning… i started to do this first: ✔ Let children choose how they say hey 👋 ✔ Do an emotional check-in ✔ Use your 4 corners Balance Zones 👉 “what do you need to start today?” ✔Connect with a calm, simple focus activity And don’t forget… 👉 Reteach and practise routines (they haven’t “forgotten”, they just need reminding) Honestly, this one shift can change the whole feel of your day. Because when children feel regulated…everything else becomes easier 🩵 💬 Comment MONDAY and I’ll send you a FREE Behaviour Bank resource to support your start of the week Save this for tomorrow morning 🫶& send it to a teacher pal who knows that Monday feeling! #emotionalregulation #teachersofinstagram #behaviour #behavioursupport #teachergram

Here are 3 things I’d do if I was an ECT dealing with the Sunday night scaries every single week 😩👇 1️⃣ Stop “winging” Monday morning Before Friday ends, write your Monday to-do list, first lesson plan, and what you’re wearing. Future-you will thank you. 2️⃣ Create a Sunday reset routine Pick 3 non-negotiables: meal prep, tidy space, and 30 mins to plan the week. Keep it simple, not a punishment. 3️⃣ Protect Sunday evening peace No school emails. No marking marathon. No doom scrolling about work. Your nervous system needs calm before Monday. Small systems > more stress. Which one do you need most right now? #earlycareerteacher #ect #newteacher #earlycareerteachers #newteachers

Confidence doesn’t come before teaching well, it comes because you kept showing up. Not every lesson will go to plan, we all have off days and off lessons! Behaviour management isn’t mastered in training, it’s built lesson by lesson. Saying yes to everything won’t make you a better teacher, boundaries will. The goal isn’t perfection in your first years it's progress. And that's the reality. Early Career Teachers, you've got this. Hit the follow button for support! #earlycareerteacher #ect #earlycareerteachers #newteacher #newteachers

Have the BEST Saturday, you fantastic bunch of ECTs! What are your plans today? #earlycareerteachers #earlycareerteacher #newteacher #newteachers #ect

Here's one of the questions that I get asked the most by ECTs ➡️How do you actually fit in school work but still live your own life? It can feel like teaching is taking over everything but it doesn’t have to. Here are some strategies to help you protect your time and your sanity: 🕒 During the school day ✔ Use PPA wisely so make sure you plan it before it starts. ✔ Batch tasks (marking, emails, planning). ✔ Keep a “parking lot” list for distractions. 🏠 After school ✔ Set a cut-off time (e.g., out by 5pm). ✔ Focus on 1–2 must-dos, let the rest wait. ✔ Reuse templates/resources, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. 🌿 Protect your personal life ✔ Book non-negotiables (gym, hobbies, friends). ✔ Contain schoolwork to one space at home. ✔ Remember: you are a person first, teacher second. You’ll thank yourself later. 💛 Found that useful? Make sure you hit that follow button for more ECT support! 🖤 #earlycareerteacher #earlycareerteachers #newteachers #ect #newteacher earlycareerteachers

ECTs, build that confidence. Track your positives and see what a fantastic job you're doing! #earlycareerteacher #ect #earlycareerteachers #newteacher #newteachers