Return to teaching after prolonged absence

rose.kildare

Hi, I'm looking for advice regarding the possibility of taking up teaching after a gap of almost 20 years. I have an honours science degree, and hdip, from T.C.D.,but when our family went straight from 1 to 3, with the birth of twins, I opted to stay home and raise children, which I have been very happy doing! However,children's needs change over time, and with the prospect of putting 3 through university at once looming,I need to be earning.
Is it totally unrealistic to contemplate this? I understand it would require a great deal of preparation and study to bring me up to scratch,and that I need to register with the Teaching Council, but I was good at what I did, and I believe I can be again, however daunting the prospect. If anyone has experience of this situation, or has useful advice or information, I'd be very grateful.

Pinkycharm

I wouldn't say it would be that hard- I heard of a politician who walked straight back into her job after a 10 year absence after missing out on an election. If she can do it so can you!

rainbowtrout

Pinkycharm wrote: »

I wouldn't say it would be that hard- I heard of a politician who walked straight back into her job after a 10 year absence after missing out on an election. If she can do it so can you!

Politician's jobs used to be kept open for them indefinitely while they were serving TDs. Not the same scenario.


OP, it's hard to say, there is a lot of competition out there, teaching has changed vastly in 20 years and you would have to be registered with the Teaching Council before you could go looking for jobs. Have you done any other work during this time period?

Pinkycharm

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Politician's jobs used to be kept open for them indefinitely while they were serving TDs. Not the same scenario.


OP, it's hard to say, there is a lot of competition out there, teaching has changed vastly in 20 years and you would have to be registered with the Teaching Council before you could go looking for jobs. Have you done any other work during this time period?

i didnt mean that OPs job would still be there but that they could get back into teaching if they wanted to. It may not be a hard transition back into the job

rainbowtrout

Pinkycharm wrote: »

i didnt mean that OPs job would still be there but that they could get back into teaching if they wanted to. It may not be a hard transition back into the job

Going back into the classroom isn't the hard part. Trying to get a job after 20 years out of the classroom (and possibly the workforce in general) might be the hard part. The OP would have to persuade principals of the same.

f3232

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Going back into the classroom isn't the hard part. Trying to get a job after 20 years out of the classroom (and possibly the workforce in general) might be the hard part. The OP would have to persuade principals of the same.

You are assuming that the experience gained working in the home that this person has done for 20 years has no value for principals. Someone who has managed a home successfully for that time has many skills that could be useful for the classroom and/or to bring to the whole school community.

If I was a principal I would be open to considering giving a chance to someone like this knowing the kind of experience they could bring to the table.

rainbowtrout

f3232 wrote: »

You are assuming that the experience gained working in the home that this person has done for 20 years has no value for principals. Someone who has managed a home successfully for that time has many skills that could be useful for the classroom and/or to bring to the whole school community.

If I was a principal I would be open to considering giving a chance to someone like this knowing the kind of experience they could bring to the table.

No, I'm not. It would be naive to think that there aren't principals out there who would have reservations about hiring someone who hasn't been in the workforce for 20 years. That and there are plenty of people who run a home and work, so while it's valuable and necessary work and I have no doubt the OP's children benefited from it, it's also not uncommon. The OP will be up against people in interviews who run a home, mind their children and have recent teaching experience.

f3232

rainbowtrout wrote: »

No, I'm not. It would be naive to think that there aren't principals out there who would have reservations about hiring someone who hasn't been in the workforce for 20 years. That and there are plenty of people who run a home and work, so while it's valuable and necessary work and I have no doubt the OP's children benefited from it, it's also not uncommon. The OP will be up against people in interviews who run a home, mind their children and have recent teaching experience.

Running a home or looking after kids 7 days a week 365 days a years is a completely different proposition than dropping your kids off to creche and going about your working day. Having experienced both.

"Hasn't been in the workforce" Does not mean you are cut off from humanity. Would you say the same about a NQT, completely wet around the ears, who might not have a clue about what its like in the "workforce"?

Probably not I'd say.

Go for it OP your 20 years in the home has great value, you have a lot of transferable skills to bring to the table, believe in yourself, believe in the value of your life experiences and what they can offer kids and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

rose.kildare

Thank you for your replies-both the positive and the more cautious! It would seem clear from a quick read of various posts that the job situation is extraordinarily tough and competitive. I suppose the first step is to get through registration, and then be prepared to build up some fresh experience subbing, if I can get it. I suppose one advantage of my age and situation is that my husband is coping with day to day bills, mortgage etc, so disjointed, broken up hours here and there may not be as disastrous for me , as for a young NQT...