Going on to do a PME - Is it Sensible?

Lily13

Hi,
Not sure which forum to put this in as there are two or three it could suit. Last year I completed my degree in Early Childhood Studies. I have been working in a creche and teaching in a pre-school class and covering other rooms. I am now considering going back to do a PME in Primary School Teaching, that was always the plan and I suppose I had a few questions.
If I was going to do the PME should I do part time or online with Hibernia that way I could still work in the play school for the three hours in the morning or should I go back full time and if so what are the pros/cons of the different colleges? Do employers place a preference on a certain type of certificate?
What's the process after completing the PME, I understand you have to register with the teaching council and sub or complete so many hours before you qualify? or am I completely off the mark there?
I know there is a lot of people going back to do primary school teaching but I suppose as I have some experience teaching and I love it I feel I am doing the right thing. I know it'll be difficult to get a job. what is the job market like right now, I understand it was very hard to get work a couple of years ago, has there been any improvement?
Also I've never really heard this spoken about but is there a big research area behind primary school teaching and would there also be jobs in that area?
Thanks

byhookorbycrook

There has been a shortage of sbus this term due to so many NQTS emigrating due to lack of any long term work and the 4 year B.Ed. That will change in June, when the B.Eds. etc come on stream again. In two years time, with the new SEN model, it's likely that many jobs will be lost and those teachers will have to get jobs due to panel rights above any NQT.
I would personally advise anyone thinking of going into teaching to do some observation in primary first of all.It has changed hugely in the last few years and the new curriculum will mean English style paperwork- as if it wasn't bad enough already.

If you were related to me, I'd say NOT to go for it. But if it's something you really, really ant, then at least do a lot of research and be aware of what you are getting into. Can you survive on a few days subbing here and there, can you drop everything to take a day's subbing 50 miles away?

ECECteacher94

Hi Lily,
Im the exact same as you i also have my honours degree in early childhood education and care and have always wanted to do primary teaching.

Would love to know if theres any grant for doing it?

Lelli Kelli

Hi Lily,
I will just give you my tuppenceworth on the issue, as I come from a similar background to you and personally think a move into primary teaching is a great option if it is what u really want to do. I started out with a masters in psychology many moons ago and worked in industry for a number of years before having my 5 children. Back in 2012, I retrained in early childhood ed and Montessori teaching and opened my own small preschool in 2014. I love the teaching aspect of my job and as you know, there is a mountain of paperwork and regulations to contend with these days, so you will be well used to that if you move into primary ed.
I really thoroughly researched every option when I decided to retrain as a primary teacher and my first choice being honest was maynooth, but it just wasn't an option for me financially and personally( it's full time). I am starting the 2 year part time masters in primary ed with Hibernia in September. This may be a good option for you as you could continue to work (until you have to do the teaching practice element at least). You do need to take into account that once you qualify in 2 years (and the course costs 15k btw!) that you will likely be subbing for some time, hopefully pick up a maternity contract after that and then after a few years, all going well, find a permanent role. This is all fine for me. There won't be a salary drop for you as pay in the preschool sector is awful!! So no issue there!! All the best with it. Do try to get some experience in a school, voluntary work, anything. And talk to as many people as you can about the industry. My sister has been a primary school teacher for 17 years and she has been pushing me to do this for years, so that tells you something. She loves her job. Sure, it's hard at times, but if it's for you, you will love it and if you really want it, you Will get there. All the best 😊

quote="Lily13;103242454"]Hi,
Not sure which forum to put this in as there are two or three it could suit. Last year I completed my degree in Early Childhood Studies. I have been working in a creche and teaching in a pre-school class and covering other rooms. I am now considering going back to do a PME in Primary School Teaching, that was always the plan and I suppose I had a few questions.
If I was going to do the PME should I do part time or online with Hibernia that way I could still work in the play school for the three hours in the morning or should I go back full time and if so what are the pros/cons of the different colleges? Do employers place a preference on a certain type of certificate?
What's the process after completing the PME, I understand you have to register with the teaching council and sub or complete so many hours before you qualify? or am I completely off the mark there?
I know there is a lot of people going back to do primary school teaching but I suppose as I have some experience teaching and I love it I feel I am doing the right thing. I know it'll be difficult to get a job. what is the job market like right now, I understand it was very hard to get work a couple of years ago, has there been any improvement?
Also I've never really heard this spoken about but is there a big research area behind primary school teaching and would there also be jobs in that area?
Thanks[/quote]

byhookorbycrook

LelliKelli, not being smart, but your sister is on the better pay grade.

Lelli Kelli

so what?

Bells21

I would doubt you would be saying 'so what' if you were sat in a staffroom discussing all the work you and your colleagues are doing and then realising that you are earning considerably less than those colleagues, even though you are doing exactly the same work.

byhookorbycrook

What Bells said, come back to us when you are working a few hours a week and can't pay the bills.

Lelli Kelli

yes I'm sure that would be difficult. I was attempting to give the poster some helpful advice on what she asked. Simply picking out one tiny part of what I said to comment on different pay levels doesn't seem particularly constructive to what she was asking. She'll still be earning way more than a preschool teacher.

Bells21

Lelli Kelli wrote:

yes I'm sure that would be difficult. I was attempting to give the poster some helpful advice on what she asked. Simply picking out one tiny part of what I said to comment on different pay levels doesn't seem particularly constructive to what she was asking. She'll still be earning way more than a preschool teacher.

It is a huge ongoing issue for teachers at the moment though. We are talking thousands in the difference and as was already mentioned the work load is constantly increasing. Not to mention that as an NQT you will likely spend hours upon hours creating and sourcing resources/activities etc and that's on top of the mountain of paper work that teachers face, be it notes on a child, referrals, the new language curriculum which is coming down the line and not to mention planning.
That's assuming of course that you can secure full time work. And of course that you secure work in an area where you can afford rent based on your reduced salary. I know of a few people who secured work in Dublin but we're unable to afford rent/travel.

Lelli Kelli

I know and I am lucky enough to live in Dublin surrounded by primary schools. I hope the op is the same. I probably wouldn't go into teaching at this stage in my life if I didn't. I mean clearly it is a difficult profession for young people starting out in life. I would assume anyone considering a career as a teacher would be well aware of the issue of difference in payscales Before choosing to go into the profession.
Commenting on my sister probably being on a higher payscale just had nothing to do with what Lily13 was asking. She's got to be aware of the starting salary of a nvq I am sure and would base her career decision around this.

byhookorbycrook

Lelli Kelli wrote: »

yes I'm sure that would be difficult. I was attempting to give the poster some helpful advice on what she asked. Simply picking out one tiny part of what I said to comment on different pay levels doesn't seem particularly constructive to what she was asking. She'll still be earning way more than a preschool teacher.

The OP wants to know is it "worth it" and she'll only earn more if she gets work
And many people who are not teachers believe the media hype about "overpaid teachers" and aren't familiar with the revised pay scale.

Lily13

Hi all,
OP here. I saw there was some replies here and thought I would check back in.
Thank you all for your advice. I am well aware of the revised payscale and salary difference and I have a couple of friends who just recently qualified. I live quite close to dublin and I'd say I could count at least 30 or 40 primary schools within a 20 minute drive from me in various directions, this may be handy if I was subbing to have a large selection.
As Lelli Kelli stated the early years sector is a poorly paid sector and my currently salary only comes to about €16000 a year, so even with the salary difference I'll still be earning more than in my current job. And I work in a work place where there is a wage difference, I get paid €10 an hour as I have a level 8, others with a level 5 and 6 get paid 9 something.
In the afternoon I currently have an afterschool class as, there is no ratio guidelines sometimes I have about 15 to 20 children on my own. This means I have to help 15 to 20 students with homework etc. My group would be Junior and Senior infants so still young enough. This is another reason why I feel I would like to do primary school teaching as I like working with these children.
I have to plan lesson plans, write up observations, document learning, write reports up for parents, be compliant with regulations and get inspected. It's not like I'd be going into primary school teaching not having a clue of the work load.
I am still drawn to the idea of office work with the education sector be it connected to primary school teaching or early years and I am thinking that having the primary school degree might open more doors for me.
If primary school teaching doesn't work out for me, I'll still have work in the early years sector.
Thanks again for all your advice.

Lelli Kelli

Good for you Lily. You are going into it with your eyes open. All the best

Roisinnolan

Lily13 wrote: »

Hi all,
OP here. I saw there was some replies here and thought I would check back in.
Thank you all for your advice. I am well aware of the revised payscale and salary difference and I have a couple of friends who just recently qualified. I live quite close to dublin and I'd say I could count at least 30 or 40 primary schools within a 20 minute drive from me in various directions, this may be handy if I was subbing to have a large selection.
As Lelli Kelli stated the early years sector is a poorly paid sector and my currently salary only comes to about €16000 a year, so even with the salary difference I'll still be earning more than in my current job. And I work in a work place where there is a wage difference, I get paid €10 an hour as I have a level 8, others with a level 5 and 6 get paid 9 something.
In the afternoon I currently have an afterschool class as, there is no ratio guidelines sometimes I have about 15 to 20 children on my own. This means I have to help 15 to 20 students with homework etc. My group would be Junior and Senior infants so still young enough. This is another reason why I feel I would like to do primary school teaching as I like working with these children.
I have to plan lesson plans, write up observations, document learning, write reports up for parents, be compliant with regulations and get inspected. It's not like I'd be going into primary school teaching not having a clue of the work load.
I am still drawn to the idea of office work with the education sector be it connected to primary school teaching or early years and I am thinking that having the primary school degree might open more doors for me.
If primary school teaching doesn't work out for me, I'll still have work in the early years sector.
Thanks again for all your advice.

Hi, I am on the Hibernia course at the moment since April and like you I have a degree in early childhood studies and worked in a preschool for 4 years. The course is really enjoyable I have to say. There is a lot in it, nothing will prepare you for the workload until your enrolled on the course. I know the fees are quite high but look at it as an investment in your career, you will make it back compared to preschool. Regarding work since April we had 2 weeks where you would need work off one for observation and one for a week of onsites. I gave up my job as I really wanted to focus on the course. Others in my cohort are working and had to cut down days and hours to keep up with the workload, but I would say you would be able to keep up morning hours if you had to. Other people are subbing already in schools on an unqualified rate and it works nicely into the course. I would highly recommend the course the content is brilliant and they have the best primary school teacher and principals teaching on the course. Any other qs feel free to contact me!