Some advice please

Keehar

Hey everyone,

I'd just like to ask your advice about how to go about getting some part time/full time substitute type teaching working in secondary schools. Here's my situation:

I have a Bachelor's degree in Bioanalytical Science and I am able to teach Junior Cert Science and Leaving Cert Biology. I've done several months of sub teaching several years ago back in 2005.

What would be my best course of action to get some sub type teaching work? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Dionysus

Keehar wrote: »

What would be my best course of action to get some sub type teaching work? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I simply drove around to every school in my locality. About 15 schools later, and on my way to drop a cv into another school, a vice principal was on the phone asking me could I cover for a class the next morning. In fact, a detailed record exists of this moment on this forum

The advice I received here was very, very helpful, and the vice principal's even moreso. But, to get to your question, just drive around and make it clear to them that you are available within 30 minutes of being called. You have to be available. That's the most important thing - I had no professional teaching qualifications when I substituted in that first class. But because I was available quickly I was asked back again and again. When I applied for the PGDE the school I went to was able to ring the vice principal in question and get a reference.

Best of luck.

whiteandlight

Keehar wrote: »

Hey everyone,

I'd just like to ask your advice about how to go about getting some part time/full time substitute type teaching working in secondary schools. Here's my situation:

I have a Bachelor's degree in Bioanalytical Science and I am able to teach Junior Cert Science and Leaving Cert Biology. I've done several months of sub teaching several years ago back in 2005.

What would be my best course of action to get some sub type teaching work? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

When you say you are able go teach jc science and lc biology do you mean thats what your degree would qualify you to teach or do you have a HDIP or PGDE? Without that you are going to find it very difficult to get substitution as schools are now required to show that they have searched for a qualified teacher first and there is huge unemployment in the sector so there are plenty of qualified teachers looking for substitution. Unfortunately things are very tough out there. In my school for example there are at least 6 teachers not on full hours and we would be first in line for any substitution that was going!

Keehar

Dionysus wrote: »

I simply drove around to every school in my locality. About 15 schools later, and on my way to drop a cv into another school, a vice principal was on the phone asking me could I cover for a class the next morning. In fact, a detailed record exists of this moment on this forum

The advice I received here was very, very helpful, and the vice principal's even moreso. But, to get to your question, just drive around and make it clear to them that you are available within 30 minutes of being called. You have to be available. That's the most important thing - I had no professional teaching qualifications when I substituted in that first class. But because I was available quickly I was asked back again and again. When I applied for the PGDE the school I went to was able to ring the vice principal in question and get a reference.

Best of luck.

Thanks very much. I'll try that so.

Does it help to go them in person or is it just as effective to mail them with your details?

Musicmental85 wrote: »

When you say you are able go teach jc science and lc biology do you mean thats what your degree would qualify you to teach or do you have a HDIP or PGDE? Without that you are going to find it very difficult to get substitution as schools are now required to show that they have searched for a qualified teacher first and there is huge unemployment in the sector so there are plenty of qualified teachers looking for substitution. Unfortunately things are very tough out there. In my school for example there are at least 6 teachers not on full hours and we would be first in line for any substitution that was going!

I mean that's what my degree qualifies me to teach, yes. I've taught them before a few years ago, too.

Yeah, I figured it's hard going out there at the moment, especially with the recession and all. Does the subject you teach give you any kind of edge? For example would their be a greater demand for Science teachers than say English or Irish teachers?

Dionysus

Keehar wrote: »

Does it help to go them in person or is it just as effective to mail them with your details?

I'd say it's better to call around, but a desperate principal/vice principal is a desperate principal/vice principal. Perhaps email the cv and follow it up with a call in person?

Keehar wrote: »

Does the subject you teach give you any kind of edge? For example would their be a greater demand for Science teachers than say English or Irish teachers?

In last minute substitute teaching, they won't be too choosy: they just need a class covered quickly. But overall, at present Irish and Maths would be better subjects than others to be qualified in.