Change to a career in teaching? Out of frying pan into fire????

[Thevirginmummy1]

I have two children one is nearly three the other is nine months. My current job involves shifts and the very real risk of being off late (sometimes very late). DH also works unpredictable shifts. I've always contemplated teaching (English at secondary) but am not sure that the workload/stress would be much less. If I did it I would be aiming to start training in Sept 16 when DS starts school ??. I know it's not a 9-3.30 job with all holidays free time but the appeal is more regular hours and being able to plan my time a bit more. (Plus the teaching/job satisfaction side of it) I've got friends who are teachers but they don't have children. Can any parent in a similar situation give advice please?

Thank you!

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

English at secondary has one of the highest marking loads of any subject. I have to do a LOT of work at home. In fact DH gets quite cross about it.
That said it's also a really awesome job. I can't say what it's like with a young family as I'm 26 weeks pregnant with my first.

[Cherrypi]

It will be easier to plan your time. You will always be working during term time unless your asleep. Could you ask to shadow a teacher for a couple of days for work experience during some time off maybe?

[MistyMeena]

Be aware that as a teacher you are unlikely to be able to drop off, collect or attend any of your own children's school events. Ever! Sounds negative but is the reality for many teachers. Plus English is super heavy marking load which will not be possible to do during school hours.
If you are looking for a family/child friendly job this is definitely not it!

[Iggi999]

If you are able to aim to teach part-time it's manageable, but you'd need to do the sums for that. It will get easier as you go on, but it's hard that the hardest years will be when your dcs are small. It is certainly great (and cheaper) to be around with them so much in the holidays.

[defineme]

It has been very family friendly for dh and I, but I went part time after I had kids and have never gone back to full. I get most work out of the way on my days off, do get to most of my kids' assemblies and holidays are great. However, our income is lower and my pension will be shit!

[littlesupersparks]

I'm a secondary school English teacher. I'm in school 8-4.30 3 days a week. I do some marking weekend afternoons but no work in the evenings unless it's a particularly hard week. However, I've been teaching for 10 years. In the early years I was often in 7am to 7pm. It's a mixture now of knowing what I'm doing and being more time efficient since having kids. So you would likely be more time efficient than I was at 22 but equally would have to spend much longer than I currently do marking and planning as that gets much easier with experience.

I will never have to pay for childcare over the summer and I wil always have holiday over Christmas. I earn a good wage for a part time school hours job. The wages administrative staff and support staff are paid in school are horrendous. I love working with teenagers. I work in a supportive school as department and don't feel undue pressure to get results etc - this seems very unusual compared with other posts on here.

I have had several trainees with young children drop out. The first two/three years are very difficult indeed.

[Thevirginmummy1]

Thank you everyone. You've pretty much confirmed my fears! Might be back to the drawing board then! I may look at shadowing a teacher but will give it some thought as don't want to waste anyone's time. Thank you all! Xxx

[Hegoethdown]

I'm secondary English with 19 month son. Agree- the marking workload is huge and, at certain times of the year (lead up to exam season) unmanageable.
Also higher expectations (at my school at least) because you are a core subject- more pressure to get the magic 5 a*- c including maths and English. You will be expected to do intervention with any student not meeting their target. Constant learning walks, work scrutinies, lesson obs and being criticised for not being outstanding is pretty much run of the mill at my school at least- very stressful and demoralising.
I worked full time for ten years before having ds and it was hard but I enjoyed it. This year (first year back after ds) I've really struggled and resent having to give up any family time to do work- and I only work 3 days a week! Ds isn't a great sleeper which hasn't made it any easier but if you're waiting until your son's at school that will hopefully not be an issue!
The school hols are obviously a massive bonus but besides that I wouldn't say it's a very family friendly job. I have a colleague who tells me that her 2 school age girls ask why she can't get another job where she doesn't have to work all the time which I think is very sad.
I won't be continuing to teach after this year. Agree that it can be a great job but honestly, in term time it takes over your life and work just isn't my priority anymore.
Hope I've not been too negative!

[Thevirginmummy1]

Ouch Hegoethdown, you sound like you've had a horrible year. Xxx