Primary teaching options

Glitter13

Hi everyone, I want to be a primary school teacher and I would love some advice on the best way to go about it!

I'm 21, done ordinary irish in my LC but I am doing higher level this June so I will have my irish done this year. I didn't go to college after my LC so I can't do the 2 year postgrad degree in any of the colleges.

Does this mean I can only either go back to do the full time 3/4 year course in maynooth etc? What are the options for going abroad somewhere to study then coming back? I know I will have to do some sort of irish test (SCG??) which is fine. The reason I'm looking into going abroad and doing the course is because I cant really afford to do full time college for 3/4 years, I would have to leave my job and if I leave my job I can't afford the expensive college fees!!

If it's my only option though I will get a loan or something, I am determined to be a teacher! I don't care how long/gruelling/expensive it jay be. If I went to college full time would I apply through the CEO on points? I only got 355 so I don't think I'd be accepted in any college!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Windorah

Hi Glitter,

I don't have too much constructive advice for you but I think you will be a fantastic teacher. You are clearly very determined.
You can apply as a mature applicant to the main teaching colleges from 23 and they don't just take points into account as far as I know but it would be a full 3/4 year degree although you may qualify for a grant to offset some expenses.
Otherwise you could look at the part time evening degrees on offer at the universities and then apply for a post grad in teaching either in Ireland or abroad. Again it would be 6 years before you would qualify.
For the time being maybe look into working in a school as a special needs assistant. Educationposts.ie is a good place to start looking otherwise pop into your local school and explain your situation.
Keep researching colleges abroad and different avenues. Where there is a will there is a way!

Best of luck:)

Glitter13

Thanks for the replies! I think I am going to do a 4 year part time arts degree then do the 2 years in Hibernian or somewhere. That way I can save for 4 years to do the full time 2 years! Hopefully in 6 years there will be more jobs! Thanks for the advice on starting some extra curricular stuff I'll work on that! I already have a teachers aide online diploma and am almost finished a fetac level 6 cert in Special Need Assisting, do you think these will help at all? If I can't get a teaching job right away at least I can apply for SNA jobs too!

An Bradán Feasa

See my post in the Primary & Pre School forum, you might be able to do that degree in 3 years if you organise yourself well enough!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=88596098