how to become a teacher (secondary)

eoinf

maybe not the right place to ask but here goes anyway.

I have a degree in electronic engineering and maths . I was wondering if i could use this degree and become a maths teacher . anyone done this ? any idea what i need, where to look?

cheers

BuffyBot

Generally the route into secondary teaching is by getting a post grad Higher Diploma in Education from TCD, Maynooth, UCD, UCC, or UCG.

newgrange

As BuffyBot said, you could do the H. Dip. here, or the equivalent in the UK. You could pick up part-time hours in your local school without a Dip. by dropping a CV off. Substitute teaching is the real coal face.

You could also volunteer for a bit with your local VEC to help with basic numeracy classes - this would all be useful experience.

It would be advisable to have a second subject along with the Maths - it's an area there isn't really a shortage of teachers in.

joc_06

jaysus, im the exact same as you. im elec eng but kinda sick of the job and would love the extra time off to train and do my sh!t.
What's the pay story with teachers? Initially its about 30k isnt it?
Thatd do me the finest for a few yrs then id go back to my old design job.

newgrange

Yes, the starting rate for fully qualified and appointed teachers is about 30k, but very few people get appointed to a full-time job initially.

You're more likely to get between 10 and 14 hours a week either on a contract (year to year at pro-rata pay) or the part-time rate (about 39 euro an hour). Most people do that for a couple of years, and then are lucky enough to find a full-time post.

wirelessdude

wharever u do don't do the h-dip in UCD..my girlfiend still has nightmares about it....widely recognised as the toughest place to do it...she knows people that did it in maynooth and it was a lot easier and u end up with the same qualification!!

arctic lemur

THe advertised for applicants to applt for the dip last week. TP is a horrible experience. I'm glad i left secondary teaching!

Salmon

Does Anyone know what subjects are in Demand at the moment? I know a lot of teachers finding it hard to get positions in Ireland. Is it just the subjects or is it difficult across the board?

newgrange

Home Economics teachers are always in demand. All rounders like English with History or Geography are useful to a school, as they can cover things like Social Ed., Heritage studies, and Communications on the LCA and Transition Year courses. PE is always a useful one. Good Computer teachers are sometimes hard to come by, as the sort of person attracted to Computer Studies is sometimes not the sort of person should be in front of a class.

The problem isn't getting work, it's getting permanent wholetime work. Classes are crowded, but schools are working on a PTR that does not allow them to take on more staff, so the school ends up with lots of young part-time and contract teachers working in large under-resourced classes with morale through the floor.

Salmon

Is there much demand for Maths or Science teachers. By demand I mean for full time positions?

newgrange

Not as much as there would be for some other subjects. There is a fairly high turn over of young Maths teachers though, as it is a very frustrating subject to teach to some groups, and many people get fed up.

I don't know of anyone appointed direct from the H. Dip. in the past ten years or so - almost everyone has to do the part-time temporary route, at least in Dublin - I don't know about the rest of the country. Keep an eye on the papers and you will see the positions advertised, though be aware that many schools when they advertise for a full-time permanent position already have maybe two or more people already working in the subject area within the school on a part-time or contract basis, who in fairness would have a better chance at interview than an outsider.

ruahead

Hope someone can help me!!!

For the post grads in Ireland, do they just lump every one in together?
Like, Science, maths, Geography, art teachers. There doesn't seem to be classifications.

I'm thinking of doing PGCE in the UK and over there all the PGCE's are broken down by subject.
While on that point, are [SIZE=-1]GTP's recognised in Ireland.(training on the job and so getting paid)
[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]I don't want to do that and then come home and be unable to get it qualified.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]I have a degree in Physics and want to teach Maths and science, according to the Teachers Council of Ireland, I am only qualified to teach Physics. I can teach Maths also in the UK. I will train in both I think and hope regulations change in a few years.
The woman at the Irish council of teachers wasn't the most helpful.

[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]:)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]
Thanks,
[/SIZE]

dory

Check out the teaching and lecturing forum, lots of info there.
yes, they chuck everyone in together. Then you take methodology classes on your individual subjects.
I have no experience with GTP. In Ireland if you want to get paid to train you have to get a job, work during the day and then study at night in DCU. You still have to pay fees though.

With regards your subects. If you got experience with Physics and Maths in England, chances are most principals would let you teach both in Ireland, you just wouldn't officailly be on the registar.

And yes, TC people are not helpful.

doolox

This is a one year course done after getting your primary degree in your subject area, such as Arts for languages and humanities, Science for science subjects and Commerce for Business oriented subjects etc. I do not know how you would convert an Engineering degree into a Mathematics degree but do know of people who have studied Maths through either an Arts or Science degree as it is a broad subject encompassing facets of an abstract and practical nature.
From what I know of Electronics I'd imagine a recent Degree would be a very easy transition to a pure Maths degree but I could be wrong.