Favourite things about teaching

Rebel_City

Hi, I am currently working in the business world in a multi-national in Dublin. Long term (when I've my college loans paid off etc) I hope to do the 18 month Primary teaching post grad course. I am going to re-sit my honours Irish leaving cert next year (Sept.07) and then hopefully the year after start the primary post-grad!

I have put my name down in work for a community scheme - employees go to disadvantaged primary schools for 1 hour/week for 5 weeks and teach the kids. I think this will give me a good idea into life as a teacher.

My reasons for a career changes are:

• I've always had it in my head that I'd like to do Primary School teaching but never put the head down in school to get the points.
  
• I'm not ambitious enough in my current role/industry to be working crazy hours to be a senior manager etc
  
• Money isn't a huge motivator for me - more about job satisfaction
  
• Also teaching children seems really rewarding, plus the summers off allows for things like teaching in third world countries etc.

Just wondering is there any primary school teachers out there / soon to be teachers? And what do you most enjoy about the job?

I'm thinking though - I'm not a big sports head, nor do I have major musical talents. Would this be a disadvantage when it comes to applying for the post grad course?

Trotter

Hi Rebel_City,
Welcome to teacher/lecturerland.

Sounds like you've done your homework (excuse the pun) on what you need to do to get in. I'll be writing up a comprehensive info section here soon on the ins and outs of the postgrad options.

I was in a similar situation to you, sitting at a PC screen after graduation with a BSc. and thinking.. this isnt for me. I caused havoc dumping everything and battled my way into a postgrad. (Hibernia).

Now I spend my days getting as much subbing experience as possible before I kick off for real next september (hopefully!). What you lose in money, you gain in job satsfaction. Its an amazingly fantastic job if you like it. As in any job, you'll have awful days, but for me, the good times far outweigh the bad ones. It actually doesn't feel like work!

It dosnt matter if you're not a big sports head, or a big musical head either. I am neither and got a place. You just need to do as much as you can to convince a person that its the job for you. The voluntary work that you're doing now is a very good start.

Keep up the good work and best of luck with it. I hope there'll be a few more encouraging posts from the other primary school teachers here!

GAA widow

i like the fact that you get to dictate how interesting your day at work is.

kittex

For me it's the laughter. I work in the UK in a very disadvantaged area (think 'Shameless'). Although the behavioral issues get me down at times, there are lots of laughs to be had with the kids - they are not shy about telling you what they think and can word it in such funny ways.

Also self-esteem is a huge issue in poor areas. So seeing a young person feel good about themselves after getting a good grade in something, is priceless.

E.T.

I don't think you can avoid mentioning the holidays. And weekends off. And short working days. Teaching is very tiring though, you really do need those hours (I've Junior and Senior infants - well over 30 of them). It's very rewarding, I know it's a cliche but it's true, especially with the younger classes when they start learning to read it's amazing. You'll never be short of a laugh either, kids have absolutely no idea of limits on what to tell you (worm tablets being the funniest story i've ever heard)

I totally agree with the post about being able to dictate your own day, it's great to be able to do whatever subject you want, and to be able to work with such variety every day. I had a summer job for years during school, and I nearly went crazy working 9 to 5 in the exact same routine every day.

Good luck, I think you're very brave to change career!