Art Education/ Post Primary

Busybumble1

Hi all.

I was hoping to get some advice as I have big decisions to make and would like as much info as possible.

I am currently working part time ( office work ) and have the option to continue into the final year of the programme to give me a level 8. I am finding the programme increasingly uninterrsting and my gut is telling me that it's the wrong path for me.

One of my biggest regrets is not persuing art education after my leaving cert. I am considering applying for the degree programme. I understand how desperate the job situation is at the moment and need to be realistic (I am a lone parent with young family) My child would be 13 apon graduation and entering 2nd level.

Basically I have three options:-

1) Persue art education and take a chance and use my talent.

2) continue with this programme and do a HDip afterwards- although It would be difficult to teach subjects I have no interest in....

3) continue with this programme and do a masters in creative media and hopefully get foot on the door to adult edication.

I would like to get some advice on what the most realistic option is as I am finding it difficult to obtain information.

Also, If there are any art teachers in this forum I would be grateful if you could let me know just how difficult it is to get employment or have you been successful gaining employment?

I've spoken to a few people about this ( not in the education field) and am getting mixed responses. Some are saying take a chance and not to let the job market deter me while others are saying I'm crazy to even consider it.

I would just like to point out that I am limited in terms of where in the country I can work ( but i live near city) I would not be willing to emigrate.

I know I would immensely enjoy teaching in some shape or form and I don't wang to look back in 20 years and regret not trying, whether it be art education or adult education. If I do art education programme ill be 33 graduating with plenty of employment years ahead of me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

boatbuilder

It seems pretty dire out there for art teachers at the moment. We have a fully qualifed art teacher coming to volunteer for free at our school because she has been sitting on the dole and can't find any sort of work.
You may find it easier to get part time or maternity posts but that's about it at the moment.

Busybumble1 wrote: »

Hi all.

I was hoping to get some advice as I have big decisions to make and would like as much info as possible.

I am currently working part time ( office work ) and have the option to continue into the final year of the programme to give me a level 8. I am finding the programme increasingly uninterrsting and my gut is telling me that it's the wrong path for me.

One of my biggest regrets is not persuing art education after my leaving cert. I am considering applying for the degree programme. I understand how desperate the job situation is at the moment and need to be realistic (I am a lone parent with young family) My child would be 13 apon graduation and entering 2nd level.

Basically I have three options:-

1) Persue art education and take a chance and use my talent.

2) continue with this programme and do a HDip afterwards- although It would be difficult to teach subjects I have no interest in....

3) continue with this programme and do a masters in creative media and hopefully get foot on the door to adult edication.

I would like to get some advice on what the most realistic option is as I am finding it difficult to obtain information.

Also, If there are any art teachers in this forum I would be grateful if you could let me know just how difficult it is to get employment or have you been successful gaining employment?

I've spoken to a few people about this ( not in the education field) and am getting mixed responses. Some are saying take a chance and not to let the job market deter me while others are saying I'm crazy to even consider it.

I would just like to point out that I am limited in terms of where in the country I can work ( but i live near city) I would not be willing to emigrate.

I know I would immensely enjoy teaching in some shape or form and I don't wang to look back in 20 years and regret not trying, whether it be art education or adult education. If I do art education programme ill be 33 graduating with plenty of employment years ahead of me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

Busybumble1

boatbuilder wrote: »

It seems pretty dire out there for art teachers at the moment. We have a fully qualifed art teacher coming to volunteer for free at our school because she has been sitting on the dole and can't find any sort of work.
You may find it easier to get part time or maternity posts but that's about it at the moment.

Thanks for the feedback boatbuilder.
Has anyone else got any opinions on this?

I have also heard that there is a shortage of home ec teachers. Is there any other subjects that there seems to be a shortage in that I could study part time?

Thanks again

seavill

I know of 3 art teachers that have gone in different paths as there doesn't seem to be any jobs. One has gone to career guidance, the other two have given up on teaching all together.

Any school I have been in has 1 art teacher that like Woodwork teachers stay for the long haul so not much rotation of staff.

I think looking for any subject to teach is not the way to go. If art is what you are into go for that but trying to get into teaching just for the sake of it is no good. It is a tough job at the best of times despite what people say so not doing the subjects you love would make it very tough going in my opinion.

Taking my situation right now, and putting you into it (although not subject specific) if I were you knwoing what I know now after 7 years of teaching I would not get into it with all the restrictions you have, family etc.

My opinion would be, unless you happen to be one of those lucky people that do get jobs every now and then by being in the right place at the right time, you need to be willing to accept very small hours (7,8,11) a week for a few years eventually building up, moving from place to place year to year. Being stuck in one place will severly limit your ability to do that

If it is what you love go do it but be prepared for what I said above

Coca.Baba

Hi BusyBumble, I am a qualified Art Teacher who cant get any form of art teaching work at present! Currently i am studying for a H.Dip in Digital and Graphic Design, to hopefully open up more job opportunities. I have found finding full-time, PAID work as an art teacher next to impossible. After applying to every single art teaching job application post ive seen, i haven't even got called for interview! At present my career future is murky, should i invest more time in a career i love doing but live off scraps for the foreseeable future, or pursue a career in the design field which i have worked previously and also love doing!? There are so many qualified great art teachers and not enough work for them. Its a sad state of affairs