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Teaching Work Experience

  • 22-02-2020 7:42pm
    #1
    ChattyChick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭


    Hello teachers, I'm appealing to you here because I really need some advice amd guidance.

    A million years ago, I wanted to teach, but a business and 3 kids happened instead, and now, at the ripe old age of 40, I seriously considering a career change. I have a BA in English and Economics (and almost 20 years experience in business) but I think my first love was the original dream to be an English teacher. My kids are still young so that perhaps explains the lure I am feeling towards primary teaching.

    If I go ahead with this, I am under no illusion that the road ahead is filled with some serious hard work and hefty bills. However, what I would really value right now is some classroom time. With 3 small kids I feel I have a fairly good picture of a primary setting, but what I'd love to observe is a secondary setting in all it's realistic glory. I'm not expecting any Robin Williams moments. I'd just like some kind of work experience for a 40 year old. Is this doable do you think? Any advice tou can give me would be hugely appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    byhookorbycrook
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,514 Mod ✭✭✭✭byhookorbycrook


    I’d not be too sure you have a proper view of primary teaching - it’s very different as a teacher! I’d try to observe / volunteer for a few days in both primary and secondary. English teachers are ten a penny , I’m afraid , so you’d have to try and use your Economics as well I think .


  • #3
    r93kaey5p2izun
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,962 ✭✭✭r93kaey5p2izun


    Register with the Teaching Council under FE and sub in both primary and post primary. Plenty of subbing in both if you're in Dublin.


  • #4
    ChattyChick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭ChattyChick


    byhookorbycrook wrote: »
    I’d not be too sure you have a proper view of primary teaching - it’s very different as a teacher! I’d try to observe / volunteer for a few days in both primary and secondary. English teachers are ten a penny , I’m afraid , so you’d have to try and use your Economics as well I think .

    Thank you so much for replying.

    I should have made myself clearer. I didn't mean to suggest that I had the primary teaching end of things down pat. I just volunteer there already, and have several friends who are primary teachers so I hear all about it.

    It's the secondary teaching I'm really unfamiliar with at the moment. I'm glad to hear that volunteering or observing wouldn't be such a mad idea. Interesting about English teachers. I didn't know that.

    Thanks again for your time.


  • #5
    Cash_Q
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭Cash_Q


    If you can get into a secondary school either voluntarily or as a sub that would give you a good feel, but I'd recommend spreading your wings into all kinds of secondary schools. A private secondary school in Stillorgan versus a community school in Tallaght are two very different worlds (I worked in the former, attended the latter). You could qualify and end up in a school very different to those you visited at first. Special schools are another option that often seem so overlooked. I'm teaching in a special school for almost 4 years with primary age students, however we have students up to age 18 and our staff are a mix of primary and secondary teachers. We follow the primary school curriculum in the junior end of the school and our secondary students sit some Junior Cert subjects and we have a Leaving Cert Apllied class. We are crying out for substitute teachers.


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