View Full Version : Becoming a teacher
Ok, well having finished university and looked at whats on offer employment- wise for me, I've realised that I really don't want to spend the rest of my life pushing pens in an office or working for some blood sucking corporation. I've thought about becoming a teacher for a long time, because I love history and I love talking about it, and becoming a history teacher is one of the only professions that will allow me to continue this love affair. However, I'm well aware of the negative aspects of teaching, as my mum is a teacher (albeit in infant schools, while I would hope to teach GCSE/A-level standard)and I've seen how stressful the job is and what long hours it involves. Also, I worry that I might not be suitable, as although I think I have the right qualities in so far as enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject, I'm a rather shy, quiet person, and I have an image of me lamely trying to teach while strapping 6 foot 14 year olds run rings round me. I worry that I won't command any respect. Also, as I'm only 21 I'm not sure if I'm a bit too young..
Anyway, I'm not sure if anyone on here can give me any advice, but if anyone is a teacher, has ever enrolled on a teacher training course, or is in the same position as me and is considering teaching as a career, I would appreciate your advice and contributions. :)
"Teachers are failed human beings. If you can do something - do it. If you can't do it then teach it."
Words of wisdom given to me by my grandfather. Referring to secondary school teachers (not primary school ones).
Don't become a teacher, you'll end up 'pushing pens' around a classroom for the rest of your life. I got on well with an English teacher at school and she said she hated teaching, in the respect that she didn't have a social life because all of her time was taken up by marking. I'd imagine it would be the same for History teachers. She also had issues with the pay too...
However, if none of that bothers you and you want to teach little bastards for the remainder of your life thats great.
Yes, I'm thinking of going into teaching too. This is because I want to spend another year dossing around at uni instead of looking for work. And then when I've finished I can spend the rest of my life dossing around at school.
Teaching is what you make it. If you're a bad teacher then you're not going to enjoy your job. If you're a good teacher then it'll be rewarding. As I said, I'll just be dossing around. I guess I'll have to go into Media Studies.
Thats a very cynical view you have, Void. I'm under no illusions about how hard being a teacher is, but I think its a rewarding job. I've had some wonderful teachers in the past who have imparted their knowledge with enthusiasm and good humour and really bought their subjects to life. In fact at university I had a great deal more respect for some of my teachers than I did for many of the students, I think they do a great job..
Obviously if you're the sort of teacher who can't be bothered an alienates all your pupils (and I've had plenty of those too) then its probably not such a good profession to enter into.
Eric, you said you're thinking about becoming a teacher, how old are you or what stage of your education are you at if you don't mind me asking? Are you thinking of going into education straight after uni (if you haven't already left)? Because like I said I wonder if maybe I'm a little too young to be doing such a job, and should try to seek alternative employment in the meantime to build up my confidence a bit and decide whether teaching is what I really want to do...also, at what level would you like to teach? I assume it would be a-level if its media studies you're interested in. Ideally I'd like to teach a-level too because I found GCSE history just too damned easy, even as a student. I'm not sure if you can go straight into teaching a-level though, you might have to have had previous experience in secondary teaching first..
Blargh, I'm all confused.
If you think you have the character go for it, I know my own love affair with History started with a fantastic history teacher.
maradona
02-07-2003, 22:34
its pretty decent pay for being a teacher in Scotland now, plus i think you get a large grant for doing your teacher training and there are vacancies to fill (dont know about subjects like history though), good holidays etc so i can see how its an attractive option
although saying that i couldn't hack having to teach and try and control the little pricks that would be in the classroom though :D
Originally posted by maradona
its pretty decent pay for being a teacher in Scotland now, plus i think you get a large grant for doing your teacher training and there are vacancies to fill (dont know about subjects like history though), good holidays etc so i can see how its an attractive option
You get a £6,000 bursary if you complete a teacher training course, which is fair enough (although I think if you don't start teaching within 7 years you have to pay it back).
History isn't really an undersubscribed subject, its stuff like languages and science which is crying out for teachers, but I'm sure theres always room for a leather elbowed history teacher :)
I'm not the person to ask because my motives are born out of laziness (as you can see from my first post) ;)
I'm currently considering teacher training or a postgraduate course or anything that keeps me away from the real world (and having to pay back my student loan) for a little bit longer. Even if you don't end up as a teacher it's quite cool to have the certificate. I'm currently 22 (though I still look disturbingly like a teenager), and I wouldn't actually go into the job until I looked the age where my students wouldn't even dare consider 'disrespecting my authoritah', but I know of people around my age who have taken up jobs at primary level... don't know about beyond that.
As I said, I'm not the person to take advice from unless you're looking to be a slacker... but we'll see at a later date.
Imagine, we could end up as the teacher of some of the people on this very forum and come on here every night and tell them to get on with their homework. Oh, the fun it could be.
Originally posted by eric
I'm not the person to ask because my motives are born out of laziness (as you can see from my first post) ;)
I'm currently considering teacher training or a postgraduate course or anything that keeps me away from the real world (and having to pay back my student loan) for a little bit longer. Even if you don't end up as a teacher it's quite cool to have the certificate. I'm currently 22 (though I still look disturbingly like a teenager), and I wouldn't actually go into the job until I looked the age where my students wouldn't even dare consider 'disrespecting my authoritah', but I know of people around my age who have taken up jobs at primary level... don't know about beyond that.
As I said, I'm not the person to take advice from unless you're looking to be a slacker... but we'll see at a later date.
I can totally understand your motives being borne of laziness, its kind of similar for me...I think academia suits me, as a laid back slacker-ish kinda guy. I'd just wither up and die in a cut throat office environment :( I know teaching is a hard job, but at least you get a certain amount of latitude to be creative and get on with your job without someone breathing down your neck all the time. After a few years working at tescos where every single thing I did was criticised by braindead powerhungry supervisors, I need a certain amount of freedom.
I think the 'authoritah' thing is important really, I remember we had a teacher at my school who was in his early 20's (he was very much like the hippy-ish teacher in Beavis and Butthead, I forget his name..) and he just commanded no respect at all, because he was young, nice, and friendly, which meant we treated him more like a mate than like a teacher. I think I might have to wait until I can grow a proper beard. They`ll respect me if i look like a u-boat captain, by god.
pretty in pink
03-07-2003, 00:09
Originally posted by Pimpf
I think the 'authoritah' thing is important really, I remember we had a teacher at my school who was in his early 20's (he was very much like the hippy-ish teacher in Beavis and Butthead, I forget his name..) and he just commanded no respect at all, because he was young, nice, and friendly, which meant we treated him more like a mate than like a teacher.
The authority of teachers thing is interesting - I´ve had some teachers who succeeded in gaining the respect of even the biggest troublemakers, and they were all quite different from each other. I think the two most important things are being enthusiastic about your subject and being yourself. It doesn´t really matter if you´re young or old, old-fashioned or up-to-date, serious or funny, but pretentious teachers don´t get the respect of the pupils.
I couldn´t be a teacher myself but I admire good teachers who can inspire their pupils and who take their job as an every-day challenge and not as a routine.
Originally posted by Pimpf
Thats a very cynical view you have, Void. I'm under no illusions about how hard being a teacher is, but I think its a rewarding job.
Maybe so. If you have a real desire to go into teaching then thats great, it's just that too many people (vast majority imo) end up in teaching with their heart not in it and just end up being shit teachers. Obviously, people who's heart is in it can be shit teachers too, but thats probably due to weakness in other areas (ie discipline).
Originally posted by Pimpf
In fact at university I had a great deal more respect for some of my teachers than I did for many of the students, I think they do a great job..
I also think it's important to differentiate between University lecturers and seconary school teachers. Lecturers must study their subject in far greater detail and ultimately it is the lecturers that 'do' history, writing books here there and centre. Secondary school teachers hardily have the time and end up using the sources that the lecturers have written....
Originally posted by Void
I also think it's important to differentiate between University lecturers and seconary school teachers. Lecturers must study their subject in far greater detail and ultimately it is the lecturers that 'do' history, writing books here there and centre. Secondary school teachers hardily have the time and end up using the sources that the lecturers have written....
I should imagine that a fair proportion of university lecturers start out as secondary school teachers though..I understand that they are different, but ultimately they draw on the same skills, I've had lecturers who were extremely knowledgable but useless at communicating with their pupils.
It isn't really secondary school teachers job to be too knowledgable anyway, GCSE pupils don't really need to learn about the finer points of Hegel, thats what A-levels and university are for. Secondary school is just meant to give you a general understanding of subjects which you can then expand upon if you so wish.
maybeoldermaybewiser
03-07-2003, 08:25
First of all: do not go into teaching because you like the Academia. The National Curriculum is no place to play around creatively, like you can do at University or as a student.
Do not go in Academia because you like learning and being creative. The funding especially for subjects like history is few and far between and if you think that offices environments are cut throat, it is because you haven't tried Academia.
I do work for Ofsted, I have been involved with school inspections and inspectors for quite a while and one thing that I have learnt is that Education is very little about your subject and a lot about teaching. To give you an idea, these are the things that school inspectors look at when judging "How effective are teaching and learning". I am quoting this from the New Inspection Framework:
Inspectors assess the extent to which teachers
*show good command of areas of learning, subjects and courses;
*plan effectively, with clear learning objectives and suitable teaching strategies;
*interest, ecourage and engage pupils;
*challenge pupils;expecting the most of them;
*use methods and resources that enable all pupils to learn effectively;
*make effective use of time and insist on high standards of behaviour;
*make effective use of teaching assistants and other support;
*where appropriate use homework effectively to reinforce and extend what is learned in school;
*promote equality of opportunity;
*assess pupils'work thoroughly and constructively;
*use assessment to inform their planning and target setting to meet the needs of individual pupils and groups.
If you still want to go into teaching, I'll be happy to adress you to the best teacher training colleges. We inspect them as well...
Originally posted by maybeoldermaybewiser
First of all: do not go into teaching because you like the Academia. The National Curriculum is no place to play around creatively, like you can do at University or as a student.
Do not go in Academia because you like learning and being creative. The funding especially for subjects like history is few and far between and if you think that offices environments are cut throat, it is because you haven't tried Academia.
I do work for Ofsted, I have been involved with school inspections and inspectors for quite a while and one thing that I have learnt is that Education is very little about your subject and a lot about teaching.
Thanks for your help, but its not like I've got some naive, rose-tinted view of teaching. My mums school at this very moment is under 'special measures' and shes almost had a nervous breakdown at the stress of being constantly examined, inspected etc (although through no fault of her own as she joined after the school failed the OFSTED inspection). I'm well aware of all these consequences, and have already taken them into account...incidentally, I don't want to slag off your job or anything but I think way too much emphasis is placed upon inspections, testing etc. Obviously theres a need for a certain degree of it, but I think its a shame that teaching and education seems to be getting further and further away from its original purpose of helping people to learn and enjoy subjects, rather than merely preparing them for exams and lurching from one test to another. Perhaps me having an attitude like that means I'm not suitable for teaching, I dunno. Its just something I've considered anyway, I'm not totally set on it.
maybeoldermaybewiser
03-07-2003, 11:48
I see your points and so does Ofsted. That's why the new inspection system reduces the lenght of inspections and the burdens that they place to the schools. There is also work being done to get the information required through channels other than inspection (National pupil database, iPANDA etc.) and so to ensure that the assessments are fairer and less burdensome.
I am sorry about your mum's school being in special measures. I know how difficult it is. If this is of any consolation, I can ensure you that helping schools through this is one of our priorities and the percentage of schools that comes out of SM with flying colors with Ofsted's help is the best testimonial we have.
Terminal Young Thing
03-07-2003, 11:53
Originally posted by maybeoldermaybewiser
I see your points and so does Ofsted. That's why the new inspection system reduces the lenght of inspections and the burdens that they place to the schools. There is also work being done to get the information required through channels other than inspection (National pupil database, iPANDA etc.) and so to ensure that the assessments are fairer and less burdensome.
I am sorry about your mum's school being in special measures. I know how difficult it is. If this is of any consolation, I can ensure you that helping schools through this is one of our priorities and the percentage of schools that comes out of SM with flying colors with Ofsted's help is the best testimonial we have.
*giggle*
No offence, but that sounds like something Blair would say; "I feel your pain, on a personal level, I really do. This is a very real issue":D
*giggles too*
Pimpf, if you want the money and the satisfaction but not the hassle, and you don't mind the moral questions, try and find some private teaching work. There are plenty of unscrupulous colleges in beautiful buildings who trade on a posh name and rake in the fees, I know because I work in one, and it pays like billy-oh. Class sizes are tiny.
My friend has just started 'real' teaching, as I call it, and she works very hard but she's also the right type of person, very intelligent and thick-skinned. I think she's finding it tough, but fun.
(Did I just say 'billy-oh'?)
maybeoldermaybewiser
03-07-2003, 14:38
There's actually very little to laugh about: being a school inspector is an extremely difficult job, badly paid and extremely demanding. Most HMIs spend weeeks to an end on the road, away from home and family, working hard to improve levels of education and all they receive in exchange is endless whinging...
Originally posted by Perdita
(Did I just say 'billy-oh'?)
Oh god.... you said billy-oh! :D
Thats right up there with 'Jolly Hockeysticks!'
*hugs Alessia* didn't mean to be rude, just couldn't resist TYT's parody despite the fact that I know fuck-all about OFSTED or schools or anything.
As an aside, I think 'billy-oh' should become my new phrase.
swelegant
03-07-2003, 15:19
My cousin is an english teacher and was in a similar sort of situation to eric a couple of years ago. She loves teaching now, but she says it's often hard at the beginning of the school year, when she gets new students because she's 26, but looks about 17 and she is tiny, so the kids feel that they can push her around. She says her golden mantra for being a good teacher is to be enthusiastic (but not too enthusiastic), be friendly and cheerful, be firm and fair, know the content of your subject inside out, always be willing to answer questions, and most importantly, don't try and be 'cool' by acting the same age as your students. Hope that helps :)
Terminal Young Thing
03-07-2003, 15:43
Originally posted by Perdita
*hugs Alessia* didn't mean to be rude, just couldn't resist TYT's parody despite the fact that I know fuck-all about OFSTED or schools or anything.
Yer, me too:o
I wasn't trying to put the job down or anything.
I've just been reading Sue Townsend too much.:(
hi Pimpf - it sounds like you really know what you're letting yourself in for.
you can train just to teach at post-16 level (PGC FE), but I'm not sure if you get the same financial incentives as a normal PGCE and they usually take people a bit older than you. I came into teaching in my thirties, trained for FE (biology) and was lucky enough to land myself a cracking job in a sixth form college. personally i'm glad I'd worked in between uni and teaching as it's given me a lot of experience to pass on that I wouldn't have had. It also enabled me to appreciate that teaching wasn't the only profession with problems!
jobs are rarer in the FE sector, and generally not as well paid as in schools. for flexibility in your career in the long term it may be better to do an ordinary PGCE first, then at least there will be a better choice of jobs. Most of our staff worked in schools before they moved into sixth form work.
I hope it works out well for you, whatever you do
:D :D :D :D :D
Cheers al :) I think I might give it a rest for a few years anyway, I just feel too young at the moment. I've been applying for a few museum jobs; working at the Imperial War Museum in particular would be a bit of a dream job for me but I think I'll keep getting passed over until I get some sort of experience. Its difficult getting your foot on the first rung of the ladder :( I guess I'll just have to try and think seriously about what I want to do and how to achieve it.
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