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Lone parents

Lone parents tbinking about/emarking on teacher training

99 replies

HauntedLittleLunatic · 14/08/2011 19:27

Following on from a previous thread there seem to be a few of us embarking upon a PGCE as lone parents.

I am scared shitless about it. I have been told to take as much support as I can....so we van hold hands, cry together, rant together, sit up til 1am together completing last minute dissertations cos DCs wouldn't go to bed...and anything else that occurs between now and gaining QTS...

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scoobydont · 14/08/2011 20:12

just wanted to say hello.

i did my PGCE 7 years ago as a single parent. My kids were 4 and 2 then. It was tough but the best thing I have ever done and totally worth it. I hated the thought of going back to work fulltime but at least I spend everyday in a job i love and the time goes quickly as you are so busy. My son has been at the same school as me and I love going to work with him.

I did it too with no family support at all. Lots of long nights I remember too! I had a fantastic placement school and got lots of help there with teachers who were committed to getting people into teaching.

My friend (not a lone [parent) is applying this year after the last 7 years of me going on about what a fantasic job it is ( and no its not about the holidays before any one asks!)

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Doowrah · 14/08/2011 20:38

I did it as an LP with no family support and father dying half way through. Its not as bad as everyone makes out, enjoy it.

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Newbabynewmum · 14/08/2011 22:54

Hello! (that autocorrected to help for a minute then ... Quite apt really!) we need to start a thread :) somewhere to moan & cry I'm thinking! My birthday tomorrow then I need to start doing maths most evenings. Already I'm thinking why on earth did I want to be a maths teacher?!

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boxingHelena · 14/08/2011 22:56

I would be interested in knowing what subject are you teaching (if u can tell) :-)

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HauntedLittleLunatic · 15/08/2011 00:10

Lol could be worse....you could be the fool (like me) specialising in physics!

How much prep are you doing? I have a dissertation due in first week, and some other bits I have to prep - presentation. Poster and handout ...

I have been reading the book 'Guerilla guide to teaching' by Sue Cowley. Very easy reading and informative. Recommended by PGCE students that have just finished at my Uni. She has also written some other stuff like 'getting the buggers to think/behave/write' I have a couple which I haven't started yet...but they were highly recommended and look easy going.

And thanks to those that have been here before. I think that just knowing it is possible as a single parent in those darkest days sol be an imense help. Feel free to stop by and cheer us on from the sidelines..offer a shoulder, words of wisdom or whatever is necessary :)

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changeforthebetter · 15/08/2011 08:49

It is so good to hear the positive stories. I hear a lot of tooth-sucking and comments about how hard it is going to be Hmm. Yes, because bringing two kids up on the minimum wage in an insecure job which doesn't stretch me as a picnic!!

I didn't sleep well last night as had been reading one of the "Issues in (Insert Subject) Teaching" texts last night and felt overwhelmed by the barriers to learning and the lack of status of my subject Sad. I think it will be more manageable once my course starts and I am in regular contact with others who are enthusiastic about teaching it

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changeforthebetter · 15/08/2011 08:50

is a picnic Blush The Pedants will be round demanding my dismissal from the course due to spelling errors Grin

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HauntedLittleLunatic · 15/08/2011 09:37

Don't worry...I read my thread title last night and saw the hideous errors...but tbf that has more to do with me typing from my phone than an inability to spell or construct a sentence...

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piellabakewell · 15/08/2011 20:02

I was a teacher before I became a lone parent, but I'd like to wish you all the best of luck! You'll find plenty of support on the TES forum too.

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Ilythia · 15/08/2011 20:17

I did my PGCE last year, not as a lone parent, but MIL died the week before the course so DH was not around much. As long as you have a good nursery/childcare and maybe friends who can pick up/babysit for parents evenings (which you will be expected to go to) then it is not that bad.

I had loads of people on teh course doing the whole 'omg i don't know how you do it with kids' stuff but if you can organise yourself to get small children ready and out, then you can organise yourself to do a course!

Luckily on my course the essays that were due all had a few days off uni/school beforehand, so I woudl put the girls in nursery and work all day.

My top tips woudl be, Buy a slow cooker, Make sure you have enough clothes/uniform to do all week so you don't have to do a wash during the week unless totally necessary, and to not work between getting home and putting the kids to bed.

As a bonus, you already have an advantage over the rest of the course, I was one of only a few people who could walk into a classroom full of kids and not shit myself at the thought that I was now in charge of themGrin

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makemineapinot · 16/08/2011 15:38

Oh good to hear of success stories - I've just been hearing horror stories!! I've been reading he Guerrila guide to teaching too - some useful tips and things in there Grin - but I'm in Scotland and start my PGDE on monday - aaaarghhh!! Shock - getting a bit scared now!! just did my maths test on line and am now hanging my head in shame. good thing it's primary I'm doing and not sec maths!!

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HauntedLittleLunatic · 16/08/2011 16:46

So your a month ahead of me then...please make sure you post all useful info so that we have a head start Grin.

Seriously tho good luck.

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changeforthebetter · 16/08/2011 18:38

Good luck Pinot!! You will be great! I've got Sue Cowley's other book "Getting the Buggers to Behave" - also recommended by a teacher Grin

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makemineapinot · 16/08/2011 20:22

will do!! just induction next week but they've made us read about teaching maths and do a maths 'exercise' reflecting on our experience of learning maths at school and post on the discussion board - mostly negative and why! Then we've had to do online maths and ICT test - bit scary at how hard the maths was as you weren't allowed to use calculators! I've seent hat getting the Buggers to Behave book, is it worth reading?
Yeah I think having kids yourselves must make it easier - at least you've got some idea of where they're coming from and have some idea of what moshi monsters is about!! Grin
I've worked in schools for about 9 years and taught/covered PPA for 5 as an HLTA so I'm hoping the actual teaching practice won't be too bad, but it was in English schools and the jargon is all so different! Anyway, just checked the term dates and I finish the PGDE on May 30th 2012!! Wine Wine Wine Smile

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HauntedLittleLunatic · 16/08/2011 20:42

I haven't read the buggers behaving book yet but it was highly recommended and her guerilla guide to teaching was excellent. Easy to read and informative.

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balia · 16/08/2011 21:03

Did my PGCE as an LP when DD was 3/4, and had a blast. Yes, it was exhausting (specially as I didn't have a car so the travelling was difficult) but it was so good to get into education again (had been working part-time at 3 different but fairly crappy jobs to fit round childcare) and really get my teeth into something. I do remember falling asleep on the living-room carpet after DD had gone to bed, just totally knackered, mind you.

Good Luck to everyone and see you at the Chalkface!

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Ilythia · 17/08/2011 09:51

God yes, the exhaustion I found, after yeasr as SAHM the sheer effort of using my brain all day woudl just wipe me out. I could barely exchange two human words with a grown up after school some days.

Oh, and be prepared to forget every birthday/anniversary/important day unless you have it written down in triplicate, and a phoen reminder setGrin

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cherrypez · 18/08/2011 21:56

can I join you? I'm not a single parent (used to be) but I have alot of children so it's quite a daunting prospect to be starting my PGCE in 3 weeks!

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missmogwi · 18/08/2011 22:09

I'd like to join too if thats ok. Not doing PGCE yet, just going into year2 English then onto PGCE hopefully.

I can listen to you lot and prepare myself Grin

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HauntedLittleLunatic · 18/08/2011 22:13

The more the merrier...the more mutual.support.

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makemineapinot · 18/08/2011 22:31

getting nervy now!! Wish you were all starting at the same time as me!! But we'll be fine - won't we?!! Grin

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signothetimes · 18/08/2011 22:52

I'd like to join in too if that's OK. I'm a LP, 1 DD aged 6, just started primary 2 this week. I'm starting the process of getting myself into the position of studying for primary teaching in 2 years time, so using the next 2 years to get classroom experience while working part time as well. My job isn't secure after the next 2 years so thought this would be a good way to get myself some brownie points for applying for the primary teaching course. I'm in scotland too, so I'll be following pinot's posts with interest! I've volunteered in my DD's nursery for the past 2 years, so got the 3-5 ages covered in my application when it comes to applying. Now moving onto primary this year, just need to get my disclosure check updated. I'm also thinking of doing an OU course as well, just not sure which would be best to help me with my application. Been trying to get advice but not getting very far with it.

Good luck to all who are starting their courses. I'm hoping that following all your posts will given me some insight on what to expect etc.

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HauntedLittleLunatic · 21/08/2011 16:27

Welcome sign and anyone else that hasn't been welcomed.

good luck tomorrow pint make sure you find time to update us amongst the homework.

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changeforthebetter · 21/08/2011 17:01

Good luck Pinot - I hope all goes well tomorrow. I am getting quite anxious about the whole thing but in a "this is a major life change" sort of way, not a "Oh god! What have I done?" way IYSWIM! Wink

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makemineapinot · 21/08/2011 21:41

Thank you - starting to get a bit very nervous about tomorrow!! Yes I'll keep you all updated. Think this week will be ok as it'll all be about induction etc and getting paperwork etc done
Sign - is there a teaching assistant course at your local college? That might help - and make sure you have all the O grades etc - when I was in England you had to have a science qualification so I had to go to night school to do my GCSE Biology then moved to Scotland where you don't need it!! BUT I was told at interview that they're looking at making that a prerequisite for the PGDE along with English and Maths. Apart from that voluntary work really helps. Everything you can do to make you stand out will help - there were 800 applicants for 34 places at UWS this year Shock. I've had rel problems with SAAS sorting out my award letter t get fees paid and student loan and I applied when the application opened - just got my award letter last week so make sure you apply as early as possible Grin. Right - deep breath - going to go and have an early night so my eyes are as bag free as possible for my matric photo tomorrow Wink. Here goes...

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