From Surviving to Thriving

How to Flourish as an Early Career Teacher

From Surviving to Thriving is an empowering roadmap for anyone ready to move beyond merely getting by and start truly living. Combining practical tools, self-reflection exercises, and research-backed strategies, this book guides you through the process of releasing limiting patterns, reclaiming your inner strength, and creating a life that feels purposeful and nourishing. Whether you’re recovering from burnout, navigating a life transition, or simply feeling stuck, From Surviving to Thriving offers the clarity and encouragement you need to step into your most vibrant and empowered self.

From Surviving to Thriving is a powerful, reflective, and practical guide for Early Career Teachers (ECTs), mentors, and school leaders who want more than survival—they want sustainable growth, real confidence, and purpose-driven teaching.

Whether you're stepping into your first classroom, mentoring someone else, or leading professional development across a school or trust, this book offers a deeply human, evidence-informed roadmap to support your journey.

Written by Nicola Ball—a former Headteacher, national ECT facilitator, and holistic practitioner—this book blends expert insight with honesty, warmth, and clarity. It is fully aligned with the revised Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF, September 2025), and bridges the gap between policy and real-world classroom life.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Actionable strategies for planning, feedback, behaviour, inclusion, and wellbeing

• Reflective prompts to develop emotional resilience, insight, and confidence

• Try This Tomorrow activities that let you apply new ideas right away

• Mentor coaching tools and professional development guidance

• Direct alignment with all eight ITTECF standards

• Real-life scenarios and language that acknowledge the heart of the role—not just the technique

• Perfect For:

• Early Career Teachers (ECTs) navigating their first years

• Mentors supporting ECTs in schools or trusts

• SCITT and ITTECF providers embedding reflective practice

• School leaders designing sustainable induction and CPD programmes

• Anyone who believes that education begins with people, not just policies

Teaching is not a checklist—it’s a relationship, a craft, and a calling. This book honours that reality. It validates the emotional weight of the work while equipping you with strategies you can implement the very next day.

With over 300 pages of professional wisdom, grounded tools, and compassionate insight, From Surviving to Thriving will help you:

• Build consistency without burning out

• Hold high expectations with empathy

• Create a culture of belonging in your classroom

• Reflect with purpose and develop your teaching identity

• Feel seen, understood, and supported in every phase of your journey

If you’ve ever thought: “Am I the only one finding this hard?”—this book is your answer: you’re not.

You’re doing something incredibly demanding. And with the right support, you’re going to thrive.