Maths Teaching

miss.piggy

Hi all

I am a civil engineer but I am pretty sure I'm going to lose my job soon!! So I'm thinking of doing the h.dip to be a secondary teacher. According to pac.ie I would be able to teach maths. It doesn't say that I would be able to teach physics which i find very strange as physics made up a lot of my course - does anyone know anything about this??

Also I have read many posts on here saying that there is a surplus of history and english teachers so it is hard to get positions in these? Does anyone know what the situation is with maths teachers?

Lastly - I have the points required for the course in Maynooth as listed on pac.ie. I have these points as I got a really good degree. I have done no teaching practice. Does anyone know what the chances are of getting in with these points? Or is there also an interview or other selection methods?

Are there exams as part of the course in Maynooth?

Thanks

iona_buss

I've been out teaching Maths and Science for the past 2 years. Can't find a physics position at all, finally there have been a few this year, but really not many. I'm looking for a new school as I only have 12 hours a week next year. I know a lot of people in the same position as me. Its pretty slim pickings at the moment. The education cuts suck.

miss.piggy

Anyone got any answers to my questions?
Thanks

pathway33

miss.piggy wrote: »

Hi all

I am a civil engineer but I am pretty sure I'm going to lose my job soon!! So I'm thinking of doing the h.dip to be a secondary teacher. According to pac.ie I would be able to teach maths. It doesn't say that I would be able to teach physics which i find very strange as physics made up a lot of my course - does anyone know anything about this??

You would need to send your degree into the teaching council with the application form and fee which can be got from the teaching council website. They may tell you to do a few extra credits in physics related subjects

pathway33

miss.piggy wrote: »

Hi all


Lastly - I have the points required for the course in Maynooth as listed on pac.ie. I have these points as I got a really good degree. I have done no teaching practice. Does anyone know what the chances are of getting in with these points? Or is there also an interview or other selection methods?

If you have the points that's all you need. There's no interview or other selection method.

pathway33

miss.piggy wrote: »

Are there exams as part of the course in Maynooth?

yep

pathway33

The only thing is if you are doing the h.dip before you get recognised to teach physics you may have to pick a second subject for the h.dip. Some do CSPE

miss.piggy

So everyone with the minimum points as quoted on the pac website for maynooth gets on the course? Is there no quota on numbers?

Thanks for the replies

pathway33

miss.piggy wrote: »

So everyone with the minimum points as quoted on the pac website for maynooth gets on the course? Is there no quota on numbers?

Thanks for the replies

Yeah of course there's a quota on numbers . That's why we have the points system. I don't know how many do the h.dip (pgde) in maynooth but say there's a quota of 200 students, then the 200 with the most points get in. If the final 20 places say have to be allocated amongst 50 students on the same points then it's random selection where it's simply a case of the first 20 who are pulled out of the computer and tough luck on the other 30.

clartharlear

I'm in a similar situation, except I've just finished the dip. I have a degree in engineering too and the teaching council will only register me as a maths and applied maths teacher.
HOWEVER, the TC is pretty weak. As long as you're registered as a teacher, schools can hire you to teach whatever they want you to teach. EG it's not totally uncommon for Religion and CSPE to be taught by non-qualified teachers.
I think that a registered science teacher might be in a stronger position when job hunting, but if you're sure that you would be an exceptional physics teacher, that should balance it.

Finally, I know there are a lot more jobs in engineering than there are in teaching, so I wouldn't recommend the career switch for job security! Teaching pays ok if you get a full time permanent job, but I've heard that it takes an average of 5 years to obtain that. Until then, it's a struggle. Unless you want to go to England, as people keep telling me to do, to my intense irritation.