As you prepare to begin your training, we would like you to spend some time thinking about your own experiences, values and aspirations as a future teacher.

At Birmingham Newman University, we believe that becoming a teacher involves more than developing knowledge and skills. It is also about developing a professional identity: understanding who you are, what you believe, and the kind of teacher you hope to become. This activity is designed to help you begin that process. There are no right or wrong answers, and you will not be assessed on this activity. We simply ask that you engage with it honestly and thoughtfully.

Throughout the programme, we will use the NEWMAN Professional Identity Framework to support your development as a teacher. These six dispositions describe some of the qualities we hope to develop together throughout the year:

• N – New Knowledge Maker: connecting new learning with research, experience and practice.
• E – Evaluative Practitioner: reflecting honestly on your strengths, challenges and progress.
• W – Wondering Learner: remaining curious and asking thoughtful questions.
• M – Motivated Learner: demonstrating commitment, resilience and responsibility.
• A – Attentive Participant: engaging actively in university sessions, school placements and professional dialogue.
• N – Nurturing Professional: acting with care, respect and integrity towards children, colleagues and communities.

Please write approximately 500 words responding to the questions below.

Part 1: Why Teaching?
1. Why have you chosen to become a teacher?
2. What experiences have influenced your decision to enter the profession?

Part 2: Professional Identity
3. Think about a teacher who had a positive influence on you. What qualities made them memorable?
4. What kind of teacher do you hope to become?

Part 3: Looking Ahead
5. Which of the NEWMAN dispositions do you feel already describes you most strongly?
6. Which disposition would you most like to develop during the PGCE year, and why?

Final Reflection
Complete the sentence:
“By the end of this PGCE year, I hope that others would describe me as a teacher who…”

Please bring a copy of your reflection to induction.
You will revisit this activity at different points throughout the programme as you reflect on your growth and development as a teacher.

Thursday 3 September

• PGCE Core and Birmingham Newman Direct
• 10:00 – 16:30
• Start day in room ST111

IMPORTANT: Please bring your photo ID with you on this date to complete enrolment.

Friday 4 September

• PGCE Core and Birmingham Newman Direct
• 09:30 – 16:00
• Start day in room ST111

During induction, you will meet fellow trainees, programme tutors and key members of the wider Newman community. Together, we will explore what it means to become a Newman Teacher and introduce the NEWMAN Professional Identity Framework that will support your development throughout the year.

You will receive an overview of the programme structure, safeguarding expectations, school placements and the support available to you as a trainee teacher. There will also be opportunities to meet student support services, the library team, chaplaincy, Students’ Union and professional organisations.

Across the two days, you will take part in discussions, team activities and reflective tasks designed to help you begin thinking about the teacher you aspire to become and your first steps on the PGCE journey.