Want to teach

freekhead

Hi all

a question you all have probably answered a thousand times (iv been on the fourms over 2 hours researching). i want to teach and need some advise.

I want to teach secondary level. I have a B.eng (honours) in computer engineering. The subjects i want to teach are Computer Studies and Maths.

I would need to Sub for a while as i only hold a 2.2. How to i find out what the required points are for the HDip? (iv read the handbook but it doesn't state how much points are needed)

I am 27 years old and have a mortgage to pay, If i where to sub is the salary good? (would it be wise to leave full time employment), I have so much to ask and find out before i make the leap,

So to sub should i just start sending CV's out to schools in the area. and if i only received 2 - 3 days per week of subbing am i entitled to welfare?

Any info would be great, im kind of nervous changing my career and need advise to sort out what to do

No interest in third-level at all?

freekhead

ND 1978 wrote: »

No interest in third-level at all?

Id need a PhD to teach third level, and id much rather teach post primary

I am going to teach just want to know how to go about it, that's all.

Alessandra

Hi,
You will need to check with the Teaching Council what subjects you are permitted to teach with your degree.

Each college has different criteria for earning points so you will need to decide on a specific colllege and research their criteria for the H.Dip. This info is available on their websites. This will depend on your degree being recognised for teaching.


In relation to subbing, you can check the stickies at the top of the forum for salary information. If you only work 3days you can claim welfare for the 2days not worked.

educationposts.ie has a lot of threads and information on teaching.

Rosita

freekhead wrote: »

iv read the handbook but it doesn't state how much points are needed.

The handbook won't state that because obviously the points required will vary from year to year depending on the number of applicants and the number of places and where the chips fall with regard to points after that is all put into the mix.

However, on the PGDE section of the PAC website there is an option called 'points' and while these are the points for 2009 they have varied little in the last few years. Suffice to say that based on previous years 42 points seems to be a magic figure, but obviously that is not set in stone by any means. There is no minimum number of points. That is ultimately decided by the applicants.

Rosita

Alessandra wrote: »

Hi,


Each college has different criteria for earning points so you will need to decide on a specific colllege and research their criteria for the H.Dip. This info is available on their websites. This will depend on your degree being recognised for teaching.

This is not the case to the best of my knowledge. The PGDE literature suggests that the NUI universities all operate to the same criteria with regard to the points system.

dory

Well what Alessandro may have meant is that Trinity at least don't go by the usual points system. You could impress them with your CV. So OP, try get any experience you can; working with young people, teaching adults, whatever, and you could impress either a principal to get you experience or Trinity to let you in without the points you would need for most colleges.
Also, would you think of doing a masters? I know people who have gotten on master courses with a 2.2 and then that would give you 6 extra points for the Dip.

freekhead

Alessandra wrote: »

Hi,
You will need to check with the Teaching Council what subjects you are permitted to teach with your degree.

My degree is not recognised, but the college is relatively new, the same course in bolton st permitted maths, computer studies and physics.

Alessandra wrote: »

In relation to subbing, you can check the stickies at the top of the forum for salary information. If you only work 3days you can claim welfare for the 2days not worked.

Iv looked at the stickies and the links are dead. I went searching myself for salary expectations and its not clear how much the average hourly rate for subbing is, anyone know?

dory wrote:

Also, would you think of doing a masters? I know people who have gotten on master courses with a 2.2 and then that would give you 6 extra points for the Dip.

Id find it hard at the moment im married, have a mortgage and have a child to support, with only my income

spurious

The salary links have been updated.

The part-time rate for subbing is as follows (as per TUI site):

1. Qualified casual hourly rate (incl. 22% holiday pay) = €49.60

2. Unqualified hourly rate (incl. 22% holiday pay) = €43.00

3. Qualified non-casual rate to teacher paid according to their own personal point on the incremental salary scale plus allowances divided by 735. This will give the personal hourly rate. There is no additional payment for holiday periods as this figure includes 56% holiday pay.

You could be lucky to get four hours a week subbing.

freekhead

looks like i don't have enough points not even subbing will get me enough.

I have 33 and need a further 10 to get the required 43.

Looks like even if i got full time subbing id still be short.:(

Rosita

freekhead wrote: »

looks like i don't have enough points not even subbing will get me enough.

I have 33 and need a further 10 to get the required 43.

Looks like even if i got full time subbing id still be short.:(

Are you sure you are calculating your points correctly?

You said in your first post that you have a 2.2 in a B.Eng (Hons). If this grade is accurate and it is indeed an honours degree, then according to the PGDE literature your points should be between 36 and 39 depending on where you fall on the 2.2 spectrum. It is important to clarify this at this stage.

According to the same literature it seems that a maximum of 8 points can be garnered for teaching experience so if you are genuinely on 33 points then you're snookered. But the good news is that post-primary or primary can both count for this and I say that with deference to the general warnings about lack of subbing in the coming times.

Obviously a post-graduate diploma (3) or a Master's (6) would add to the points you'd have if you saw one that appealed to you and could get into it.

freekhead

i graduated 4 years ago and working in a few jobs since but nothing challenging. after i done my research yesterday i dug up my certificates from college today. i had repeats in year 4 so even after acing year 5 only have a pass.

Im quite gutted and feel my 5 years of college where wasted. what do I do now? I really want to teach but feel it is unachievable.

so sub for the year and try and get at most 6 points
Do a Graduate Diploma, gaining a further 3 points

Giving me 42 points which UCD required this year for a non business degree.

What do you think guys. much sub work for computer studies? at all or is subbing a thin of the past??

rainbowtrout

freekhead wrote: »

What do you think guys. much sub work for computer studies? at all or is subbing a thin of the past??

Your main problem would be that Computer Studies isn't an exam subject and in many schools is a filler subject on a lot of teachers timetables. You'll rarely see a job advertised for an IT teacher unless its Post Leaving Certificate level. Subbing computer classes a lot of the time, is bring the class to the computer room and put them on the internet, so outsiders don't really need to be brought in to do that. It remains to be seen how subbing will pan out this year, but teaching jobs are thin on the ground as it is. I wouldn't be giving up the full time job just yet especially when you have mortgage etc.

bdoo

freekhead wrote: »

My degree is not recognised,

If this is the case the Teaching Council will not register you and even if you do get the dip you will not be entitled to be paid from public monies once the teaching council act is fully introduced.

Like the others say, computer studies isn't really a subject that will get you a lot of work if it's not exaqmined it's not a priority i'm afraid.

Sorry to be giving bad news but if you have a job now you'd be better off sticking in it I think. Six hours of music in my school had twenty or so applicants this year and a girl with years of experience got it. There are so many qualified teachers there without work that it's hard to see a lot of subbing being available in the coming year for unqualified people.