Am I too old??... 49!

[Brighteststars]

Am I wasting my time / too old to start a degree at 49 years of age to become a primary teacher (qts)... 53 when qualified!!!... help!!... your thoughts please!

[StickStickStickStick]

I really really would nt. So many older teachers are being managed out our local school is mainly staffed by under 30s and so many leave teaching in the first few years.

Could you look at adult ed or a TA or even volunteering in school j absolutely wouldn't plan to teach.

[PurpleDaisies]

I wouldn’t.

Have you got recent work experience in primary schools? It’s a bloody hard job.

What are you working as now? What’s drawn you to primary teaching?

[Appuskidu]

I wouldn’t. It’s a soul-destroying job now and I don’t know anyone who isn’t planning an escape strategy.

Sorry if that’s negative but I wish more than anything that I hadn’t gone into teaching.

[Brighteststars]

My youngest (of 3) is 9, I've always thought it looks like the perfect job for mum's!... maybe not hey?! What makes the job so unpleasant?

[PurpleDaisies]

I've always thought it looks like the perfect job for mum's!... maybe not hey?!

Is this a joke?

[isthistoonosy]

Do you need a teacher salary, would a TA role be better - less training, less stress, but less pay of course.

[Appuskidu]

I've always thought it looks like the perfect job for mum's

Could you outline why you think that way? What do you know about the job that makes you feel like that?

[Brighteststars]

Oh dear PurpleDaisies...sounds like teaching has definitely taken its toll!

[PurpleDaisies]

In what way is it “the perfect job for mum’s [sic]”?

Teachers are very hard working professional people. It’s not just a nice little job for mums.

If you spend time in a school talking with real teachers who might be men and may not even have children, you’ll find out what the issues are. It’s very in family friendly, long hours, stressful, emotionally draining...

[PurpleDaisies]

^in = un as in un family friendly.

[PurpleDaisies]

Oh dear PurpleDaisies...sounds like teaching has definitely taken its toll!

No, I love my job (despite the challenges). It massively devalues the profession to reduce it to “the perfect job for mums”.

[BelleandBeast]

I really really would nt. So many older teachers are being managed out our local school is mainly staffed by under 30s and so many leave teaching in the first few years.

Isn't that ageism, which is illegal.

[Appuskidu]

Oh dear PurpleDaisies...sounds like teaching has definitely taken its toll!

?!

Have you just come on here to be rude?!

[Brighteststars]

Have you just come on here to be rude?!

.. No!! But it arrears you and PurpleDaisies have!!

[Brighteststars]

...appears! 😀

[PurpleDaisies]

I wasn’t being rude. I cannot believe anyone seriously considers being a primary teacher the “perfect job for mums”. Can you not see how that’s pretty offensive to teachers?

[fruitpastille]

Ideal for mums. Work 8.45-3.30 and have all those lovely holidays. Right? I don't understand why everyone doesn't teach if they have a family. The money is great too I hear.

In all seriousness, I don't think you are too old but don't underestimate how much you will work at home and the lack of flexibility for any time off in term time. Part time is better but jobs harder to come by.

[Sittinonthefloor]

Spend a week in a school doing work experience. What is your specialism?

[WipedOutDaze]

My youngest (of 3) is 9, I've always thought it looks like the perfect job for mum's!... maybe not hey?! What makes the job so unpleasant?

That is what everyone used to think, but now it is one of the very worst.

[Bastardingcough]

If you train to be a teacher expect to be physically in school from 7.45am to 5.45pm minimum most days. You will also have planning and marking to do outside of school, at least 4 evenings a week. Most of Sunday is spent preparing for the week ahead. The long holidays are a bonus but you will be preparing work, clearing classrooms etc during these periods too.
It is not a nice little job for mum's.
I left teaching because I spent more time with other people's children than my own.

[ladybirdsarelovely33]

OP it's a very unfamily friendly job. Most teachers are in by 7.15 to 8am. I am on extended mat leave now but I got in around 8, left at 6 and did work most eves and most of one weekend day.
I just don't know how I could fit it around 2 dc now tbh.
It will take over your life esp in the first five years. I wouldn't recommend it at your stage in life unless you have a huge, unfulfilled desire to teach.
Why do you want to do it? Don't do it just because of the holidays.

[grumpypug]

I'm a Mum of 3. Been a teacher for 17 years and it's harder now than ever. If I was just starting out I think I'd be tempted to find a different career!

It's not the cushy number that people think it is. I'm in school for 8am (due to dropping off kids early at breakfast club - ideally I would be in school earlier) and I get home around 6-6.30pm. I spent 40+ hours of 1/2 term writing reports (for 39 children).

And I teach nursery - I often get told I must 'just play all day'.

But, I love teaching. I love the children, parents, school life. I don't love the paper work and the long hours.

[raindropsandsunshine]

Regarding hours, some of our primary teachers are there 7.30am - 6/7pm. Not really ideal with young children at home. However a couple of teachers work on a job share so they do a few days a week and then another teacher does the other two. Those teachers often leave earlier then the rest but do a lot of work at home.

TA work however...go in at a reasonable time, home at a reasonable time, low wages but rewarding and often fun.

[Brighteststars]

My industry background is in contracting / health & safety, risk assessment etc within block management property. Very boring!!
Teaching would be a complete change of environment. What do any of you love about your job? Assuming you do enjoy it?

[Appuskidu]

I wasn’t being rude, just genuinely surprised.


What makes you say/think teaching is the ideal job for a mum?