Second subject

rothai

I have a degree in maths and was thinking of doing the pgde next year(it's 2 late to apply for this September) I know teachers have taken a bit of a bashing lately but it's something I want to do. I was thinking of doing a second subject to make me more employable...but I don't know how to go about this, or what subject would be good or where I could do(if possible) a one year postgrad course? Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

UnLuckyAgain

rothai wrote: »

I have a degree in maths and was thinking of doing the pgde next year(it's 2 late to apply for this September) I know teachers have taken a bit of a bashing lately but it's something I want to do. I was thinking of doing a second subject to make me more employable...but I don't know how to go about this, or what subject would be good or where I could do(if possible) a one year postgrad course? Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Normally, a second subject is definitely beneficial for job prospects. However, with just mathematics, I'd be very surprised if you weren't snapped up for a job after your PGDE. Just check any of the employment advertisements, mathematics teachers these days are like gold.

If you really want to maximise your employability, qualify in Irish.

loveroflight

Schools needs teachers who teach Maths only. I'd get a formal qualification in IT like the JEB diploma. You should be snapped up.

RealJohn

I could be wrong but I imagine if you've a degree in maths then you're probably qualified to teach applied maths too for a start. Presumably you did other subjects in the first few years of your degree too. What were they?
I have maths in first and second year in my degree and when I was looking for work, I also looked into doing the third year in maths to add that to my degree and NUIG were open to the idea anyway (though in the end, I wound up with a full time job anyway so I never persued it).

Bobsammy

RealJohn wrote: »

I could be wrong but I imagine if you've a degree in maths then you're probably qualified to teach applied maths too for a start

That's not necessarily the case. I've a Maths degree and the teaching council wouldn't recognise me for applied Maths because I never took Mathematical Physics so it can depend on what modules you took.

whiteandlight

Guys be careful how positive you are about maths jobs. I've two years full teaching maths experience, a 1:1 degree, 1:1 pgde, an a in teaching practise and Im a local facilitator or project maths. I got one interview out of the 19 maths jobs I applied for this summer. All teaching jobs are hard to get nowadays.

Having said that go for it OP if it's a profession you are interested in. Provided you go in with your eyes open you should enjoy it.

And you definitely need maths physics for applied maths!

RealJohn

I stand corrected.

gaeilgebeo

I was just going to post something similar to Musicmental.
Unfortunately with the cuts and redeployment, there are no teachers being "snapped up" at the minute, Irish included.
I know a few qualified experienced maths teachers who have lost jobs/hours and are finding it difficult to get hours. Same goes for Irish. Things have changed a lot.
With the PTR set to go up again, jobs are going to become increasingly hard to secure. So to say that someone will be "snapped up" as soon as they qualify is misleading.(I know intentions were good:))

Jane98

Hi,
I have a Maths degree and just qualified this year. So far I have applied for about 10 positions but have heard nothing back from all but 2 of these. The 2 that did reply said I was not shortlisted becuase I had no experience.
I am not very positive at this time.

Mrs Ron Burgundy

Even with teaching experience it's still difficult. I managed to get two maternity covers in one of my local schools BEFORE I did my hdip in art and design education and now that I'm qualified (just qualified) I can't even get an interview. Pickings are VERY slim also. As many other people are asking too, I was wondering about the possibility of getting another subject (C.S.P.E, SPHE, religion), and like others have mentioned I was hoping there was a part-time course where I could qualify. I know people are outraged by this attitude, particularly in regards to religion, but in fairness if principals are giving these subjects to existing teachers who are COMPLETELY unqualified and haven't a notion then I don't see what the problem is. Sure some people have degrees in these subjects but it's not our fault the way things are being run.
Also having spent 5yrs getting my qualification in art and having no funds to fuel a further 3yrs or so in education, is it not understandable to try and gain an extra subject as painlessly (on the finances) as possible. It's fairly obvious that the people making these comments about being 'outraged at this attitude' are in fact in employment and unaware of just how harsh it is out there. Having only one subject, even in the case of art, maths etc..., is a definate minus when it comes to looking for a job.

Basically what I'm trying to say is...get off your high horses and look at it from our perspective please.

TheDriver

from management point of view, i wouldn't like someone with just maths because its hard to fill their timetable and can't fill anoy other needs in the school. Much prefer Maths and something else, science/BS etc. sorry for being truthful but thats the way we would look at it, same for all single subject teachers