Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Career change : how to get into teaching? (without going back to school)
Having spent the past ten+ years facing a computer screen I have decided to dedicate the rest of my working life to people. Nice thought, but how do I get about it?
I'm in my late forties, have changed directions a few times, needless to say that I have more skills than qualifications and that I do not have a proven experience of working in my new chosen field. As a qualification I have what I think is an equivalent to a foreign BSc, but I couldn't even tell if this counts as a degree. I have taught skills to people along the way through my different jobs, but this doesn't exactly make it to my CV. Finally, I only want a part-time occupation once I'm in, which I guess rules out a lot of options. And, no, I am not a parent, forget about mum jobs. The only positive is that I have been doing some voluntary work with kids since earlier this year.
I thought of becoming a teaching assistant, someone else said I could become a mentor, either way I know I'd be good at it (I would!) but... this is such a maze! I don't know the education system over here, but can't face going back to school for a year or more to study. Can I start somewhere and get training along the way?
Does anyone here know about the teaching world and could give me some advice?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jenny on
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My story is similar to yours. I have been a graphic designer for 20 years but, as I got into it late, I am now too old for most design studios and have to work freelance (which I don't really like). Three years ago I decided to make my CELTA pay and go into teaching English.
My first teaching job (having volunteered there for several weeks) was at a training centre teaching Literacy Level 1 – a subject I knew nothing about – to adults sent from the job centre. It was a steep learning curve with a starting hourly rate of £7. However, by the time I moved on to another training centre after a year, I was earning £9 per hour. The conditions were appalling. Management was unwavering in its pursuit of getting the maximum work with the minimum expenditure. Worst of all, because success relied on getting results, results were encouraged to be got – one way or another.
My next job was in another training centre teaching ESOL to adults. At £12 per hour, I earned nearly as much as the first job but working part time. Higher management was again very poor, leading to crippling absences of basic teaching material. Again, the worst part was that results were an overriding necessity leading to some questionable practices before and during exams.
Following this, I spent almost a year as a learning support assistant in a FE college (16 to 19 year olds). I loved this job. I really felt I was doing something useful. However, it was paid through an agency (these roles usually are) with the result that I only got paid contact hours – if the teacher was absent, I didn't get paid. No income during school holidays (no NI contributions either). Here, I thought, there would be no underhand goings on when it came to exams/assignments. But I was wrong. All education establishments need results to ensure future funding. It is THE most important consideration and while they do try hard to assist students in every possible legitimate way, there are always some who need "extra" help to enable them to reach the all important level of success.
During this time I also volunteered in primary schools and found the same depressing story.
I have become so profoundly disillusioned that I have given up on a career in teaching. In spite of being rather good at it (in the top three in my first job - without resorting to giving "extra" help), I was never good enough and honestly, I don't think many people are. Until government scraps this mad competition for available funds, education will become more and more of a myth.
Having said all that, if you're still determined, the very best way of getting in to it is volunteering – in whichever establishment you want to work in. This looks excellent on your CV and if you're good you'll either be offered a job there or you'll get a glowing reference. Also, a lot of primary schools only employ future teachers as teaching assistants and if you're thinking of doing a PGCE, you'll be able to get a part time job as a teaching assistant which will help you on your way.
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Permalink Reply by Isabelle on
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Hi Drazub, thanks for sharing! I think I understand what you are saying – or most of it at least. I doubt that I'd like to enter the system further than being a teaching assistant or a learning support assistant, I'd become just another disillusioned teacher and can just imagine how soul-breaking the educational institution can be... In this environment, it must be really hard to ever become 'good enough' (as good as you could be if passion could be unleashed!).
On the long term I'd like to make use of my teaching experience with my knowledge of art/crafts and perhaps run small private classes. But that's just an idea (in case I feel like running away from schools!). For now, I'm trying to get my first work experience, got a couple of possible openings and am hopeful that I will 'get there'.
Hope you found another way now? :)
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Still looking.
Painting and decorating at the moment to bring some money in. It's ok but exhausting.
There are times when I'm tempted to go back to teaching (it's a job...) but those around me aren't keen. The stress isn't good for any of us.
I'm sure you'll succeed. All you need is determination and you appear to have plenty of that.
Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by pamish on
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There's loads of useful info including personal accounts of teaching, on the Guardian Teacher Network which anyone can sign up to.
eg this recent article - I'm doing a PGCE at 40: savvy career move or expensive mistake?
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Permalink Reply by Kerry-Ann Goode on
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I have been thinking about going into teaching for a while. Although I have a degree I don't have GCSE Maths C or above. Although I could teach my degree subject at high school/further education level I would rather teacher primary (a lot of people have told me that I would suit that area). I would like to get a CRB check as I am also a massage therapist and that would help my career on that side. Is there a way you can apply for a CRB check yourself or does it have to be through a company? I might be able to get some voluntary work with the school of my church.
Good luck Isabelle
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Hi Kerry-Ann, I am not sure that you can still apply for a CRB yourself – a friend of mine has done so because she works freelance in various settings, however I think that the law might have changed now. I've been told that each institution must request a new CRB check. I've got a couple myself, which were sent out and paid for by the actual organisations I worked for (even though they overlap in time). So your school will make the application on your behalf and their name will be printed on that particular form. Cost is about £40 and it takes 2-8 weeks on average for the enhanced check to go through. Meanwhile, as long as you're not alone with children but in the presence of other CRB checked adults you should be allowed to be near the kids.
As for teaching, classroom experience will definitely be a big plus – this is where I've failed so far, even though I've now got good experience around children (but not in an actual class)
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Oh yes, the GCSE bit, you're right. I was thinking along the line of becoming a teaching assistant rather than a teacher (and teaching course), though I'm not sure if a degree would be enough for this rather than GCSEs, you'd need to check with the PGCE requirements.
Several recruiters have told me to go and get experience by volunteering in a school, so I should think it is common practice. You don't have to volunteer full-time, or be committed to it any more than they are committed to you – and why should they dismiss you if you're doing a good job at helping them? I approached my local school to offer my time and skills, but they said they're currently inundated with volunteers! I never got the feeling that they don't 'like' volunteers...
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Hmmm food for thought, thanks. Didn't think that a college could also get me the experience (+ was told there's no need for formal training, especially as I did make it to interviews as is)...
I wish I could get paid while getting experience (and undertake official training along the way) but it's a tough market: if working for nothing is the only way I can get the experience in the first place and also what agencies advise me to do, then why not? At least volunteering gives one the chance to learn and practice about jobs one couldn't get close to otherwise (unless studying first).
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