Anyone TA having been a teacher? Or changed phase?

[awfulomission]

I'm currently a secondary teacher. I'm on a fixed term contract at the PRU til the summer (lots of expansion/staff changes going on) and most of my children are at primary levels. I'm increasingly interested in trying out primary but would like to ta in one first, to get a proper feel for it.

Anyone done this? We'll take a hit financially but we can handle that at the moment.

[Skatingfastonthinice]

I've had three TAs that were teachers and downsized for all sorts of reasons, but they were primary teachers. It's a very sensible plan, to get a feel for it first.
I know that I started teaching in middle school but became more and more interested in how children learn and what was behind the ability spread of several levels. I ended up in reception, and then bobbing around KS1 for years.

[CharlesRyder]

I did a secondary PGCE, went straight into primary, switched to special (EBD) and then switched back to mainstream as INCO, now teaching in a primary Resource. So hopping about is definitely possible!!

[awfulomission]

That's good to hear. I've only recently started this current job but I won't be taking it past the end of the contract. Skating that's it, I want to dig back with these kids. Charles it's good to hear you have hopped a bit. Me too, esp since having dc. I've done 1:1, exclusion tutoring, now this and I can't settle to any of it. I think I'm in the wrong phase!

[Skatingfastonthinice]

Yup, go to the source with that attitude and maybe you can fix things before they become a problem for the child later on. Not always, but even a couple can make your year.

[Hulababy]

I was a secondary school teacher but now work as an infant school HLTA. I changed several years ago. I had begin to hate my job. I now love my job though the pay is rubbish.
I know lots of teachers who have become TAs for lots of reasons.

I have considered teaching at infant level but I guess at the moment I really enjoy my job, I love my school and I like my colleagues. I have carved a job that's quite unique to me and one that uses all my interests - and my secondary school teaching skills too incidentally - luckily finances are not an issue so I am happy where I am.

[awfulomission]

Ah Hulababy that's heartening. So good to hear your secondary skills are being used. In my job at the mo (when I'm not 'managing' behaviour or being sworn at!) I'm dipping back so much into primary but without the experience/training. For us too the finance isn't a problem but a regular income would be good. DH earns really well when he works but sometimes there's no work and that can be a problem. We have no mortgage so more flexibility. Poss private ed for one of the dc at secondary however.

[phlebasconsidered]

I was Secondary then had years out with my kids. I returned as a HLTA in primary and then swapped sectors. I then taught FT primary KS2 before "downsizing" again to 3 days a week teaching Year 5 and 6. I prefer primary, but the marking load is heavier and the day to day paperwork and effort higher than in Secondary, it's like the exam term EVERY term, hence the going part-time.

[awfulomission]

OK, I can feel a plan forming.

Thank you all. I just have to stick out the next 6 months at the PRU!