Career Change to Teaching

LegacyUser

Hi,

Am considering a change to teaching in my career. I'm three years out of college, have a job that's full-time for the time being (Civil Engineering). Basically, anytime in college or in my career to date that I've done anything to do with teaching/tutoring I've enjoyed it more than anything else, so it's making me wonder if this is the right move for me.

Thinking of making a change in my career makes me nervous but I know that I love teaching. I've checked my degree too and it's OK for Maths and Applied Maths.

Could someone describe what an ideal day in the life of a teacher involves? Also how tough a market it is at the moment. Silly questions I know, but the entire prospect scares me (I suppose outside of comfort area and all that) and it scares me to make a jump to something that I mightn't get any work out of!

Thanks for your time, needed to put this in text.

Silverfish

Moved from PI.

Please bear in mind the OP is unregistered and may be unable to reply.

Thanks!

gaeilgegrinds1

I think personally there is no such thing as a typical day. It depends very much what tpe of person/teacher you are, the type of school you are in and randomness. I've taught in both a very academic school and a disadvantaged school. I preferred the later. I'll try and describe both. And before I'm told that this is not the way for others, this was just my experience.

Academic school-I was always in early and printed out my types notes and had them stapled and ready for class. Discipline was never an issue but the workload was, I rarely left before 6 as I tried not to bring work home and took up at least one set of class copies a night. Lunchtimes were bliss. We were never disturbed but I found that particular staffroom catty and unsupportive. Overall, a lot of pressure but quite predictable and safe. A great place to start off and meant I was never short grinds work as gained a good reputation.

Weaker academic school-Acted more as a Mammy and social worker (not that I am one.) Things we take for granted had to be taught. I rarely arrived early, lots of thinking on my feet and WELL outside the box. Loved it there though. Just felt I made a difference and the staff were so tight knit, For e.g. no longer teaching there but got a card signed from them when I had the baby. Things like that make a difference.

I love teaching and really doubt I'd be good at anything else but it's as much about protecting yourself as anything else. Stress is a major problem and unfortunately I had to learn that the hard way. The money is reasonable in teaching but there is time to do other work if you feel up to it. Don't underestimate the tiredness though, more mental tiredness than anything else. If you want to teach do it, but be prepared that jobs are being halved and quartered these days and full hours are hard to find. That said, I'm happy living on less that most of my friends who are not teachers and feel blessed in my profession, The organisation is difficult, as are some of the students, but if you get a kick out of teaching it's probably for you. Best of luck on our journey.

strawberry1

no two days are the same, you need to be very organised, plan and prepare alot, i know all the teachers in my school were in over the summer all the time cleaning, organising, preparing so you never stop- its not a 9-5 job its a vocation!

i went to college and did art first, thinking i'd like to be an art teacher but i went into primary schools and asked could i help out and observe while i was making up my mind, and prefered the junior end so i went back and did the b.ed in pats, so glad i did it now iv been teaching infants for 4 years and i love it,

best advice, and i dont know if you're planning primary or secondary but go in and ask very nicely can you observe different classes/ schools and see do you like it! sounds like you'd like lecturing or secondary in your post! good luck whatever you decide