Becoming a secondary school teacher

Treppen · 04-05-2020 11:38pm

pollymv1 wrote: »

Take it from me. I've worked at Hibernia - they are money grabbers and their grads are frowned upon in schools. Having studied at DCU, the two don't compare.

During the pandemic too, students suffer because staff are unsupported. The fees are extortionate, this is not a real educational facility.

Actually Maynooth is farrrr better than any measly DCU graduate. Every hiring principal knows that, Unless the principal went to Mater Dei of course.
Now trinity... they're a different breed altogether, thinking, they're great with the trinners stamp on their parchement, but we all know the course hasn't changed since 1972.
UCD is just full of rejects that didn't get the trinners interview.
St Angelas... always rabble rousing in whatever school they teach in. Handle with care.
Mary i --- very reverend.
UL -- Look they're PE teachers, no matter what their second subject is they're just adrenaline junkies who want an excuse to wear a tracksuit for the rest of their lives.
UCC-- Well there's no where else to go down there. So they'll get the job in their old school and buy a house beside the mammy like.
Hibernia!! How very dare they.

05-05-2020 2:23am

Treppen wrote: »

Actually Maynooth is farrrr better than any measly DCU graduate. Every hiring principal knows that, Unless the principal went to Mater Dei of course.
Now trinity... they're a different breed altogether, thinking, they're great with the trinners stamp on their parchement, but we all know the course hasn't changed since 1972.
UCD is just full of rejects that didn't get the trinners interview.
St Angelas... always rabble rousing in whatever school they teach in. Handle with care.
Mary i --- very reverend.
UL -- Look they're PE teachers, no matter what their second subject is they're just adrenaline junkies who want an excuse to wear a tracksuit for the rest of their lives.
UCC-- Well there's no where else to go down there. So they'll get the job in their old school and buy a house beside the mammy like.
Hibernia!! How very dare they.

Where did this come from? Where's your arrogance coming from? You're still earning 40K a year right, regardless of where you graduate from? *Sigh*

r93kaey5p2izun · 05-05-2020 3:00am

Deleted User wrote: »

Where did this come from? Where's your arrogance coming from? You're still earning 40K a year right, regardless of where you graduate from? *Sigh*

It's clearly sarcasm.

dory · 05-05-2020 8:37am

Deleted User wrote: »

Where did this come from? Where's your arrogance coming from? You're still earning 40K a year right, regardless of where you graduate from? *Sigh*

You'd want to up your taking-a-joke game before standing in front of teenagers.

Point being made is it doesn't matter where you study, everyone has an opinion of which college is better. They're all grand.

Treppen · 05-05-2020 8:44am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Where did this come from? Where's your arrogance coming from? You're still earning 40K a year right, regardless of where you graduate from? *Sigh*

If you want to know where it came from watch this video https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ

Treppen · 05-05-2020 9:07am

pollymv1 wrote: »

Take it from me. I've worked at Hibernia - they are money grabbers and their grads are frowned upon in schools. Having studied at DCU, the two don't compare.

During the pandemic too, students suffer because staff are unsupported. The fees are extortionate, this is not a real educational facility.

First off, for someone who worked in Hibernia , how would you know what supports they've now put in for staff during the pandemic, and how would you know that students are now suffering? What's changed in Hibernia? Tutorials are still going on as normal online. Anyone on teaching placement is still in the same position as any other college. I presume you received the email about this and their ongoing discussions with the Dept. , Teaching council and QQI. What student suffering are you getting at?

I've also worked with Hibernia and have nothing bad to say about them. I supervised students on placement and by all accounts any principal or deputy were actually thankful to Hibernia, and DID take students on afterwards. Also remote schools in Ireland for the first time were able to find local applicants for jobs because GSTs were able to study from home and do on-sites on the weekend. That's a big deal in some school communities (that's what a few principals have said to me).

How extortionate are the fees compared to other colleges? Extra 2 thousand per year maybe? Well they're a private business so they factored in the savings most students can make on rent , so there's that. To me it's the same as any PME course, go in , do what's required and get teaching afterwards.
I've worked with DCU grads too and ... well ....we'll leave it there.

05-05-2020 11:16am

My mistake, I had a few glasses of wine and misinterpreted the sarcasm ! Oops

pollymv1 · 05-05-2020 7:58pm

I still have strong connections with the college - we'll leave it there. The fees are ridiculous for a terrible student experience, environment and a poor medium for participation and learning. There is zero meaningful analysis on if grads are succeeding, because the college is solely a profit generating enterprise. They don't care what kind of education children have with essentially rookie teachers being churned out across the country.

Dickie10 · 05-05-2020 11:33pm

if you have a side business/faamily shop/pub/farm its a grand job for casual subbing, hard to get anything stable for a good few years

Treppen · 05-05-2020 11:48pm

pollymv1 wrote: »

I still have strong connections with the college - we'll leave it there. The fees are ridiculous for a terrible student experience, environment and a poor medium for participation and learning. There is zero meaningful analysis on if grads are succeeding, because the college is solely a profit generating enterprise. They don't care what kind of education children have with essentially rookie teachers being churned out across the country.

How do you assess this? We get teachers from all colleges in our school and I've never had the experience of anyone from Hibernia being 'rookie', and as I said it's not what some principals have told me either. Maybe it's the cohorts I have had contact with had a lot of mature students.

Anyway, I'll also leave it there but I don't think it's fair to taint any group of students from a particular college as being inferior (especially to the college I went to!). If anything the real issue in ALL colleges is how come the majority of teachers are largely white, female, from middle class background.

Dickie10 · 06-05-2020 10:01am

vast majority of teachers i graduated with from pretty much exactly the same background, white, rural (outside dublin)middle classes.

rainbowtrout · 06-05-2020 10:21am

Dickie10 wrote: »

vast majority of teachers i graduated with from pretty much exactly the same background, white, rural (outside dublin)middle classes.

Not sure why this needs to be stated. At least 95% (and probably higher) of the country are white, either Irish or other European nationality. We only had sizeable immigration into the country just over 15 years ago. It's going to be a long time before you see sizeable numbers of non-white trainee teachers.

Treppen · 06-05-2020 12:16pm

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Not sure why this needs to be stated. At least 95% (and probably higher) of the country are white, either Irish or other European nationality. We only had sizeable immigration into the country just over 15 years ago. It's going to be a long time before you see sizeable numbers of non-white trainee teachers.

White is being used as a measure of ethnic diversity (whether that be the appropriate term or not).

It's not about seeing 'sizeable' numbers of non-white teachers, it's about seeing a 'proportionate' number. As quoted by the researcher:

“Anyone working in education in the past ten 15 years will tell you that the single biggest development is the massive increase in minatory ethnic students in schools while at the same time, the teaching population has remained homogenous,” From Dr. Elaine Keane

Keane, E. and Heinz, M. (2016) ‘Excavating an injustice? : nationality/ies, ethnicity/ies and experiences with diversity of initial teacher education applicants and entrants in Ireland in 2014’, European Journal of Teacher Education, 39(4), pp. 507–527. doi: 10.1080/02619768.2016.1194392.

6 years on from the research would be a good time to reassess. But I suppose if the female/middle class hasn't changed much in decades then will the ethnic diversity?

corks finest · 06-05-2020 12:29pm

History Queen wrote: »

It depends on the interview panel but (anecdotally) generally real world experience isn't hugely advantageous when it comes to teaching interviews.

My son 17 is aiming to teach business etc in secondary,
Hoping his GAA / soccer/ martial arts experience might give him some edge in tbe interview process
( Coaches kids already in tae Kwon do and did a bit in Gaelic football, currently a minor)
He'd love a PE position but realistically that might not happen, he's bright doing good but might not attain sufficient points
Any advice clearly appreciated, thanks.

Treppen · 06-05-2020 2:26pm

corks finest wrote: »

My son 17 is aiming to teach business etc in secondary,
Hoping his GAA / soccer/ martial arts experience might give him some edge in tbe interview process
( Coaches kids already in tae Kwon do and did a bit in Gaelic football, currently a minor)
He'd love a PE position but realistically that might not happen, he's bright doing good but might not attain sufficient points
Any advice clearly appreciated, thanks.

If he could live at home while at college and when he starts teaching (which will more than likely be occasional subwork ) for about the next 10 years. Then he has a chance to sweat it out till permanency.

He'll probably consider going abroad to teach for a while too, but if he wants to come back and get his experience recognised then he has to choose a school carefully , many of the private schools abroad seem attractive but often the teaching council won't recognise them for experience.

Given the economic climate every mother will be advising their child to get into teaching etc. expect to see the points rise.

Tell him to stay on the good side of his school too and make himself known to the principal / deputy as much as possible (even if it's just going out of his way to great them with a big smile etc).

If he has the Hons Irish primary would be relatively more secure than secondary.

rainbowtrout · 06-05-2020 2:50pm

Treppen wrote: »

White is being used as a measure of ethnic diversity (whether that be the appropriate term or not).

It's not about seeing 'sizeable' numbers of non-white teachers, it's about seeing a 'proportionate' number. As quoted by the researcher:

“Anyone working in education in the past ten 15 years will tell you that the single biggest development is the massive increase in minatory ethnic students in schools while at the same time, the teaching population has remained homogenous,” From Dr. Elaine Keane

6 years on from the research would be a good time to reassess. But I suppose if the female/middle class hasn't changed much in decades then will the ethnic diversity?

It's going to take a lot longer than that, particularly with the Irish requirement for primary school teaching and students that land here after the age of 11 (I think it's 11) not needing to do Irish in school.

And while I don't have studies to back it up, many children of immigrant families are living in homes where English isn't their first language. Some adapt really quickly and are fluent in English in no time and thrive, but many don't, and one of the factors there is often that English is not being spoken at home, so their access to education is more difficult because the only English they are speaking is at school potentially. I do see this with some students at school. If their English is poor they will find it difficult to do well at LC anyway, and that is not conducive to entering a third level course in this country, let alone a teacher training course. It will take more than one generation to see a percentage of non-nationals appearing in teacher training courses which reflects the percentage within the population as a whole.

07-05-2020 10:37pm

Treppen wrote: »

If he could live at home while at college and when he starts teaching (which will more than likely be occasional subwork ) for about the next 10 years. Then he has a chance to sweat it out till permanency.

.

Are you going to mention the CID that could be given after two years or you want me to do it?

r93kaey5p2izun · 07-05-2020 11:10pm

salonfire wrote: »

Are you going to mention the CID that could be given after two years or you want me to do it?

Could be. But only if teaching own hours, career break or secondment. Very rare to get CID after 2 years outside of key subjects in Dublin, and even then... And of course any CID is likely to be part time at first.

corks finest · 07-05-2020 11:54pm

Treppen wrote: »

If he could live at home while at college and when he starts teaching (which will more than likely be occasional subwork ) for about the next 10 years. Then he has a chance to sweat it out till permanency.

He'll probably consider going abroad to teach for a while too, but if he wants to come back and get his experience recognised then he has to choose a school carefully , many of the private schools abroad seem attractive but often the teaching council won't recognise them for experience.

Given the economic climate every mother will be advising their child to get into teaching etc. expect to see the points rise.

Tell him to stay on the good side of his school too and make himself known to the principal / deputy as much as possible (even if it's just going out of his way to great them with a big smile etc).

If he has the Hons Irish primary would be relatively more secure than secondary.

Thanks he's v well liked there already,good school,but jobs Irish doubt it tbh, we're connected to the school 59 plus years so hopefully that will help,abroad is an option,thanks for the heads up ref recognition etc after working in a private school abroad etc.

Dickie10 · 08-05-2020 12:57pm

Can you get such a thing as a part time CID? where you are given CID in a school with maybe 6 or 7 offical hours? would schools be more open to this thatn giving someone CID with 16-22 hours?

rainbowtrout · 08-05-2020 1:05pm

Dickie10 wrote: »

Can you get such a thing as a part time CID? where you are given CID in a school with maybe 6 or 7 offical hours? would schools be more open to this thatn giving someone CID with 16-22 hours?

You can get a CID for any amount of hours. If you go into a school on a small number of hours and continue working there the following year on the same small hours, then after those two years you could get a CID for say 6 hours. I've seen it in my own school.

Depends on the situation. You could get one because of a situation like the one I've outlined above. You could be a Russian teacher who comes in 2 hours a week to teach Russian to TYs and end up with a 2 hour CID.

CIDs can be increased over time. So if you got a CID for 8 hours after 2 years and the following year your hours were increased to 15, then you can apply for an improved CID reflecting those hours.

Dickie10 · 08-05-2020 1:10pm

wow ok, thank you so much. I am in a school on hours from last sept where the teacher is on secondment and probably wont be back, hes gone work for JCT. My official hours were 7 i think and add ons made up 12. I applied for another job in a brand new school opening in sept. Just as cover in case i am not asked back. Both schools are pretty much same distance. Really cant read what the story will be in my current school but i have maybe mentioned here that I would happily retire their in 30 years time, so I would be delighted to take 7 hors CID and build my way up through the years in that school. Great to know, please God I will get the place again this year.

rainbowtrout · 08-05-2020 1:18pm

Dickie10 wrote: »

wow ok, thank you so much. I am in a school on hours from last sept where the teacher is on secondment and probably wont be back, hes gone work for JCT. My official hours were 7 i think and add ons made up 12. I applied for another job in a brand new school opening in sept. Just as cover in case i am not asked back. Both schools are pretty much same distance. Really cant read what the story will be in my current school but i have maybe mentioned here that I would happily retire their in 30 years time, so I would be delighted to take 7 hors CID and build my way up through the years in that school. Great to know, please God I will get the place again this year.

Has the principal indicated when interviews might take place? Are the hours you are currently teaching likely to be there next year, i.e. not made up of resource hours which can change from year to year? Have you spoken to the principal about hours for next year?

Dickie10 · 08-05-2020 1:25pm

to be honest with all that is happening i am giving her a chance to draw breath, i dont want to be in on top of her with queries this week but keeping an eye on education posts every day. the hours are 5th year history and 1st year history with 1st year CSPE, along then with other TY modules. so theres a few solid hours. I think i have put in a very solid year and contributed to the school. but i am very 50-50 about my chances i a have heard to many stories of people being burned.

Treppen · 08-05-2020 8:16pm

salonfire wrote: »

Are you going to mention the CID that could be given after two years or you want me to do it?

No I don't want you to do it because you aren't a teacher and haven't a clue how long these 2 year CIDs 'could' take to get.

My CID took ten years to get after qualifying. That was back when CIDs took 4 years... you remember that ya?

Treppen · 08-05-2020 8:25pm

<snip>

History is relatively common to replace. Principal will be looking at the overall needs of the school so maybe have an eye on other subjects which need a teacher who also has history. Then again he might prefer to have 3 teachers on 7 hours each with a lot of wriggle room between subjects. Moreso than tying down an unknown teacher to full hours.

Expect zero favours when it comes to next year, no matter how much work you've put in.

Plenty of teachers posted on here about jobs falling through in a new school term too, so once you've no contract in hand you really have nothing. Not saying to accept every job going... but don't take your foot off the pedal in August. Might be worth your while doing interviews then as it's closer to the time of new year, moreso than taking a job now and assuming it's yours in September.

endacl · 08-05-2020 8:30pm

Dickie10 wrote: »

Can you get such a thing as a part time CID? where you are given CID in a school with maybe 6 or 7 offical hours? would schools be more open to this thatn giving someone CID with 16-22 hours?

My first CID was for 1.25 hours.

mtoutlemonde · 08-05-2020 11:46pm

<snip quote>

I would always apply for jobs in your subject areas. Obviously we are not in school but I think I told you, I would be having a chat with the principal. Maybe an email enquiring about your future in the school. They know the numbers and hours available. If there is nothing for you, thank them for the experience and ask for a reference. Say that you want the development of that module to be mentioned..

Re CID, I was looking for the circular but can't find it the moment but the gist of it is, a CID teacher on part time basis in a school should be offered any available hours until they have full timetable before new staff can be employed. So you have security and are entitled to those hours.

Found that circular, its 49/2017. It is an amendment on to the previous circulars contained in the file.

Dickie10 · 09-05-2020 9:04pm

great thanks for the help!

mtoutlemonde · 09-05-2020 11:19pm

Dickie10 wrote: »

great thanks for the help!

Make sure you join the union and have your contracts, copies of your timetable (they go from VSWare end of the month) and the educationposts advertisements.

Treppen · 10-05-2020 12:48am

<snip>
I just don't know, I'm just giving you things to consider. Gotta look after number one, it's funny how some teachers are apprehensive about applying for other jobs in case they'd let the school down, but at the same time the Principal or Deputy might be applying for other roles every month.

You sound like a teacher that any school should be glad to have you though. Just keep an open mind and expect no favo....... oh wait, did you say GAA?... Have you ever considered doing a Leadership and Management Postgrad :pac::pac::pac:

rainbowtrout · 10-05-2020 11:00am

Dickie10 wrote: »

to be honest with all that is happening i am giving her a chance to draw breath, i dont want to be in on top of her with queries this week.

It’s her job to manage the staffing allocation. She knows what allocation she has for next year so has a pretty good idea if she has hours for you or not. It’s not being cheeky looking to know if there
is a job for you next year when we are three weeks from the end of the school year.

I’d echo what other posters have said. Unless you have confirmation of that job you need to keep looking. You’re not indispensable. I watch teachers retire regularly who did Trojan work and did 35+ years in the school and you think before they retire ‘how will she be replaced?’ and they retire and are replaced and you rarely hear their name mentioned any more a couple of months down the line. Nobody is irreplaceable. Find out where you stand for next year and keep looking in the meantime.

mtoutlemonde · 23-06-2020 11:11pm

That's good news. Be careful posting on the internet ... you don't know who reads this. You have the majority of your phone call with principal and your own particular talents and subjects that you can bring to a school. You may need to rethink the above. This is the reason I didn't reply to your thread.

Saint_Mel · 24-06-2020 8:43am

Good thread ... in a similar position myself, working in IT for 20something years but had hopes of getting into teaching.
Little longer route for me, as I worked in between my college qualifications. My degree (which was a 1 year add on) only qualifies
for Computer Studies/Science with the TC (although did have a math analysis module) .... but I previously done a 2 year Cert in Computing in the mid 90's which had Maths in both years. Went on to do a 1 year add on Diploma but no Maths there. More recently done a Masters which had a Stats module but as far as I can see the TC only look at the Degree year and as I went through the old system of separate Cert-Dip-Deg route, I don't know if anything before my 1 year add on Deg is recognised

dory · 24-06-2020 9:56pm

You'd have to get onto them to ask. I thought anything from undergraduate years counted. But either way, I'd be more concerned with you getting an employable subject. No principal is going to employ someone just for Computers. Unless you're thinking of the further education route. At most schools would have 1 5th and 1 6th year class of Computer Science. Last I checked 20 schools did the subject (granted it's only just started).
If you went through the Open University you could get a maths degree (double check with TC beforehand). It's a long and expensive route though.

stiofan85 · 29-06-2020 2:28pm

Really helpful thread. I'm similar to OP in terms of career and age. Nearly there in committing to changing career and going through the motions on research

I meet the requirements for maths, physics, engineering, or computer science. Maths seems a no-brainer. What would have more demand: Physics, engineering of Computer Science?

thanks

rainbowtrout · 29-06-2020 2:42pm

stiofan85 wrote: »

Really helpful thread. I'm similar to OP in terms of career and age. Nearly there in committing to changing career and going through the motions on research

I meet the requirements for maths, physics, engineering, or computer science. Maths seems a no-brainer. What would have more demand: Physics, engineering of Computer Science?

thanks

If you meet the requirements for all of them, then register for all of them with the Teaching Council. Do you have two degrees?

Physics is the least popular science subject at Leaving Cert, but it's hard to get physics teachers. There's also the fact that it's usually tied in with JC Science. There's probably more doing physics than engineering.

r93kaey5p2izun · 29-06-2020 2:47pm

stiofan85 wrote: »

Really helpful thread. I'm similar to OP in terms of career and age. Nearly there in committing to changing career and going through the motions on research

I meet the requirements for maths, physics, engineering, or computer science. Maths seems a no-brainer. What would have more demand: Physics, engineering of Computer Science?

thanks

This would be an almost unique situation to be in - have you completed several degrees?

Engineering is different from most subjects in that you have to compete a specialist teacher training programme for it (like Construction, Home Ec, PE) so it's not an option for the regular PME.

Physics would give better prospects than Computer Science for the moment, but since CS is a new subject that could change. You can do all three though.

stiofan85 · 29-06-2020 2:53pm

Ricky Rancid Wine wrote: »

This would be an almost unique situation to be in - have you completed several degrees?

Engineering is different from most subjects in that you have to compete a specialist teacher training programme for it (like Construction, Home Ec, PE) so it's not an option for the regular PME.

Physics would give better prospects than Computer Science for the moment, but since CS is a new subject that could change. You can do all three though.

Yeah, I've a few pieces of paper.

Didn't realise that about engineering, I'll look into it. Thanks

Notorious · 29-06-2020 4:26pm

Just thought I'd post some advice (also words of warning) as a teacher to IT sector employees thinking of moving into teaching. I notice a few posters have suggested it here.

I completed a postgrad in Software Development as I have been teaching coding to further ed students for the last five years. I also teach second level in two other subjects and I thought I'd officially add another string to my bow, especially since coding is being integrated into the LC program.

Long story short, the teaching council have consistently told me that they're not registering teachers as Comp Sci teachers at the moment. Recently they haven't been replying to my emails, and I last spoke to someone in the teaching council in December. I keep being told that the TC haven't set the criteria for registering as a Comp Sci teacher, even though they told me before I began the postgrad that a course with 120 credits would enable me to register.

Some schools are running the Comp Sci programme with LC students so it baffles me as to how a teacher can't register with the subject.

Treppen · 29-06-2020 4:40pm

Notorious wrote: »

Just thought I'd post some advice (also words of warning) as a teacher to IT sector employees thinking of moving into teaching. I notice a few posters have suggested it here.

I completed a postgrad in Software Development as I have been teaching coding to further ed students for the last five years. I also teach second level in two other subjects and I thought I'd officially add another string to my bow, especially since coding is being integrated into the LC program.

Long story short, the teaching council have consistently told me that they're not registering teachers as Comp Sci teachers at the moment. Recently they haven't been replying to my emails, and I last spoke to someone in the teaching council in December. I keep being told that the TC haven't set the criteria for registering as a Comp Sci teacher, even though they told me before I began the postgrad that a course with 120 credits would enable me to register.

Some schools are running the Comp Sci programme with LC students so it baffles me as to how a teacher can't register with the subject.

Yet another reason to abolish the Teaching Council.

BTW there was a pilot course in UCD specifically tied into the CS LC so that would have been kosher. It was about 5 years ago!

I'll try and dig out the modules if I can as I presume the TC have to align to that.

TC are into pedagogy modules and assignments/case studies based on ongoing school teaching so there might always be that hoop to jump through. LIT and Letterkenny IT have post-grad diplomas geared towards secondary so there could be some hope of doing partial modules if the TC start their usual refusals.

mtoutlemonde · 29-06-2020 4:42pm

Notorious wrote: »

Just thought I'd post some advice (also words of warning) as a teacher to IT sector employees thinking of moving into teaching. I notice a few posters have suggested it here.

I completed a postgrad in Software Development as I have been teaching coding to further ed students for the last five years. I also teach second level in two other subjects and I thought I'd officially add another string to my bow, especially since coding is being integrated into the LC program.

Long story short, the teaching council have consistently told me that they're not registering teachers as Comp Sci teachers at the moment. Recently they haven't been replying to my emails, and I last spoke to someone in the teaching council in December. I keep being told that the TC haven't set the criteria for registering as a Comp Sci teacher, even though they told me before I began the postgrad that a course with 120 credits would enable me to register.

Some schools are running the Comp Sci programme with LC students so it baffles me as to how a teacher can't register with the subject.

Yeah I'm in the same boat but I did additional study for other subjects. I rang a long time ago and it ended up with me giving up as I would have been better off talking to the dog. I will try again as I think it is important that computer science is now a subject and this should be updated for teachers involved. I don't think in all honesty, there would be many teachers affected. The Teaching Council will probably want to assess your qualifications for a fee though.

Yes just to reiterate, unless you have the required number of credits with additional study, the only engineering degree which entitles you to teach maths is the Bachelor of Engineering. If you don't have at least one subject excluding Computer Science, I wouldn't bother forking out for a PME where you will be years on the subbing circuit.

r93kaey5p2izun · 29-06-2020 5:01pm

stiofan85 wrote: »

Yeah, I've a few pieces of paper.

Didn't realise that about engineering, I'll look into it. Thanks

Well if those pieces of paper are Level 8 degrees or Hdips then hopefully you will be all set. If they're Level 7 they won't count and if Level 9 Masters then you could struggle to get the content recognised, believe it or not!

Just be very certain you will be qualified for the subjects. Particularly if you are an engineer just be aware that there are very few Eng degrees recognised for anything except Applied Maths. And during the last recession there were a lot of dismayed engineers forking out a lot of money adding on credits to satisfy the TC.

Treppen · 29-06-2020 5:06pm

I think the department are not pushed about a massive role out of CS. They'll stay on message and keep media happy by taking about its current roll out with the pilot schools for the next decade or so.

Took them about 40 years to look at maths teaching qualification requirements. And even then the course has been shelved.

Who knows though, some minister might run with it.
Creating another minority subject is a nightmare for timetables and contracts though. It'll go the way of Applied Maths for a lot of schools, lunchtime and after hours.

Mardy Bum · 29-06-2020 5:07pm

stiofan85 wrote: »

Yeah, I've a few pieces of paper.

Didn't realise that about engineering, I'll look into it. Thanks

You have to complete specific modules as well for each subject. Having a level 8 degree is not even enough.

stiofan85 · 29-06-2020 6:19pm

Thanks all. Hearing you loud and clear: check with the teacher's council. Will get on it.

I was just looking at my credits there and I've a far stronger case for computer science, but less than I thought for physics. I'm just a bit done with programming at this point. TBH I'd be happy teaching maths and applied maths. It's the main draw for me with teaching.

Cheers for all the input. Well warned

Notorious · 29-06-2020 6:26pm

Treppen wrote: »

Yet another reason to abolish the Teaching Council.

BTW there was a pilot course in UCD specifically tied into the CS LC so that would have been kosher. It was about 5 years ago!

The course I did was actually recommended to me by my ETB - they wanted to get some teachers geared up. The most frustrating part is that the TC won't even engage in a conversation with me.

mtoutlemonde · 29-06-2020 6:44pm

stiofan85 wrote: »

Thanks all. Hearing you loud and clear: check with the teacher's council. Will get on it.

I was just looking at my credits there and I've a far stronger case for computer science, but less than I thought for physics. I'm just a bit done with programming at this point. TBH I'd be happy teaching maths and applied maths. It's the main draw for me with teaching.

Cheers for all the input. Well warned

I was told when I was doing my degree that I would register for ICT, maths, physics and my language but that was pre Teaching Council. That wasn't the case upon graduation. I'm very close to maths probably like yourself but when I looked into doing it - it was expensive and not worth it for me as it was my language subject that I wanted to teach. That was a number of years ago before any Irish universities decided to offer programmes for people in my situation. You would want definite confirmation that you can register for maths. You can register under category 3 and see how you get on.

Dickie10 · 29-06-2020 9:55pm

OP just be sure you actually like being around teenagers, the teaching of your subject is a good chunk of the job, but you would need to be able to fill numerous roles as secondary teacher. From part social worker to secretary, to pyschologist. You also may need to get stuck into extra curricular activities and be willing to do learning support etc to fill up your hours. You really need to be a people person.

Treppen · 30-06-2020 9:29am

stiofan85 wrote: »

Thanks all. Hearing you loud and clear: check with the teacher's council. Will get on it.

I was just looking at my credits there and I've a far stronger case for computer science, but less than I thought for physics. I'm just a bit done with programming at this point. TBH I'd be happy teaching maths and applied maths. It's the main draw for me with teaching.

Cheers for all the input. Well warned

That's your opinion though, be very careful. The teaching council haven't even recognised the course in UCD which was run specifically for the pilot school teachers a few years ago.
Although in saying that LIT and Letterkenny IT are now running teacher post-grad courses which I think they've tried to keep exactly to the same modules which the pilot course had, so maybe compare and contrast with your own modules there as well. Those colleges probably are taking a bet that when the pilot course gets the stamp then the TC must also give the others the stamp.

Becoming a secondary school teacher

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