Anyone a teacher on here?

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amanda1788

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Hi

I am just looking for some insight into what being a teacher is like, I am now going into my 3rd yr of uni and looking at applying for PGCE in either primary 3-7 or primary 5-11 and can't really decide. I have done some work experience in yr 6 which i did enjoy, but just wondered what teachers on here think of there job, id there much time for family and horses? How is all the paperwork and childrens behaviour?

Thanks for any info xx
 
I teach 8-9 year olds year 4 at mo. I have been doing it for 20 years now and still love it. Work is never the same and it is a challenge to juggle all the things you need to do. I like that but at the same time it can overwhelm you as there is so much to do apart from actually teach the class.

Behaviour is a hot topic and OFSTED have said that behaviour in our school is outstanding which it is. We are getting more problems though now than we used to. When you go to get a job make sure the school has a strong behaviour policy and system in place.

I have two children aged 7 and 11 and since they were born I haven't worked full time. I don't know how I would manage if I did. I currently work 3 days a week and some extra on supply. It is a job which fits in with children well. Although I go into school in the holidays I can take them with me and they love using the computers or cycling round the playground. I jobshare but there are part time jobs going releasing teachers from the classroom for ppa etc. Before I had children I was on the senior management team and I did work 12 hours most days. The problem with teaching is that it very hard to feel like you have done everything - there is always more that could be done.

Overall I am glad I went into teaching - I could have done other things with a first class honours science degree! If you have any questions feel free to ask!
 
i'm probably not much help but i am a teacher. i only teach 6th form tho (am qualified 11-18 tho) and i love my job. just the marking gets me down sometimes. PM me if you want any info....
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I'm a teacher too and agree pretty much with everything already said. I work part time too as i now have two children (3 and 7). I work in secondary, but I would strongly advise that you try working with all ages before you decide on the age group you'd like to focus on. I tried primary and middle but decided I hated working with the younger ones (even though I thought I would want to work with this age group). I found I really related to, and developed rapport with, teenagers. It was a real surprise to me. You need to be very motivated, well organised and committed. Your work is always challenging, ever changing and never complete. There are lots of low points, but those moments where you've really inspired a class, or won a difficult student over really make up for the lows. Get as much work experience as you can and good luck,

Sue
 


QR It depends very much on the school and you. If you want to make it to the top then you have to compromise on the horses. If you want a life then you can have it in teaching but you wont get to the top unless you are extremely dedicated and organised. But I guess that is the same in any profession. It is not a 9-5 job. It never will be. There are evening meetings and weekend activities. You are all things to everyone. It is a very exciting and rewarding job but can also be the most stressful and unrewarding job. If you are a perfectionist dont do it. Children arent perfect! You can rarely tick a box and say "that is finished".

The thing I find most frustrating is the lack of flexibility during term time. It is a nightmare if the horse has to go to the vets. You need a farrier who is happy to shoe in your absence unless your horse is in livery. Paperwork is a nightmare but tbh you do get on top of it once you are in a routine. You learn to prioritise too.

So good and bad really. But the holidays are great. You do have to work during them but you can choose when you work.
 
My daughter is teaching year 4 and she loves it but it is very time consuming. This week she has been at school from 7am to at least 6pm and then does several hours when she gets home. I look after her horses and she has only managed to ride one night this week. School holidays are very busy trying to fit appointments in for hairdresser, dentist etc and holidays abroad are all more expensive.
 
I'm in Scotland so might be slightly different, but make sure you investigate the job prospects thoroughly! I've just qualified as a secondary teacher and there are no jobs going - including supply
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Its been all over the papers up here, 1 in 7 that qualified this year has got a job. Fecking joke........
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Can you train to teach only 6th form? I don't think I could cope with teenagers who don't want to be there but I adored 6th so much when the teachers became people! I thought at teaching at uni's but I don't want to do post grad. (I know PGCE is post grad but you know what I mean!) I'm not good with young children either
 
yes you can train for just 6th form. however i would really recommend doing a full PGCE and training 11-18. the reason that i say this is that its really difficult to get a job in a sixth form college- they often take on the more experienced teachers and also attract the more experienced teachers (for obvious reasons). i was really lucky and landed on my feet, getting a job in 6th form as my first job and i don't think i would ever go back to 11-18 teaching (PGCE year was bad enough!) but i was prepared to do it for a couple of years if i needed to....PM me if you want any more info!
FWIW i LOVE teaching in a 6th form. i have a lot of flexibility (ride most days/compete at weekends) but just don't get much sleep as have a LOT of marking to do!
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