After reading a thread warning against teaching as a career!!

Teaching seems pretty bad, but i've never read a thread anywhere about any career that says 'come on in, the water's lovely! We're in ecstasy all day, the pay is great, there's so many progression options, no worries about AI, lots of investment and no scrutiny!'

If there is one can someone point me to it because i'm open to options 🤣

I think working in a special school, working abroad and doing supply will make your work life very different from that of full-time teachers in secondary schools. The problems teachers complain about are very real and many of them are pretty much universal in secondary schools, not just confined to a few bad schools, despite what some MNers think.

Of your 3 teaching aims, supply is the only one where I have experience. It has its advantages - no responsibility for results, no marking or planning, so workload is low. I found it unsatisfying and tedious, and the behaviour can be a nightmare unless you're in a school with really good kids.

I think you should go for it. You're already in that environment so you know what it's like. The only sad thing about your post (although I say this with no judgement as I've also worked in schools so I get it) is that your focus is on supply, abroad and specialist schools. This highlights the true issue.

There are people who want to teach but no longer in the main classroom. I see so many people opting for supply and whilst it's great for them, it's not great for the kids (unless it's long term). I supplied as a TA and loved it but I'm put off the full teacher route because of the paperwork.
Good luck in September 😁

Teaching is what you make of it.

Personally I love my teaching job that I'vebeen doing for over 10 years. Yes there are frustrating aspects to it, but I get to work with teenagers who are never dull, and get 13 weeks holiday. I do work part time (4 days a week) though so I can also have quality time with my kids too.

You just need thick skin and don't take things personally. Behind every rude and uncooperative teenager is usually something not right at home. Some parents think their little angels can do no wrong. Fight back against poor management decisions (the school I work at is pretty good).

Teaching isn't for everyone. Same with most careers.

I agree with this. It is so important to find the right school.

That's been my experience as a contractor in schools. SEN schools are fabulous to work in, mainstreams are an absolute nightmare.
What I would do is have a look at whether there are a lot of teaching roles going in special schools. My guess is, they are far and few between.

I have been in teaching for about 25 years and for the most part I have enjoyed it. The holidays are a massive bonus. I work very efficiently and have developed ways to make sure I never have to work in them.

I think secondary is better than primary. Primary teaching does attract more martyrs who are hard to work with. You also have to spend the entire day with the same class which I wouldn't like. In secondary, when your GCSE and A Level students go on study leave, you can do all your planning for the following year which frees up your summer. If you teach maths, science or English, you can earn a lot from tutoring. There is also exam marking, if you can face doing more marking.

However, there are quite a few downsides. If you don't have the personality for it, working hard won't turn you into a good teacher. It can be extremely stressful compared to jobs on equivalent pay (that is why you have to value/want the holidays).

Ultimately it comes down to the school you work in and how suited you are to the job. I think the right special school with a friendly, supportive staff body could be nice. You never have to wonder what the point is and you never feel like you are wasting your life. For the most part it isn't boring.

I would avoid supply teaching unless it is with a school you work regularly in and know well.

I am a teacher and I love it.

Friends are fairly newly qualified teachers in the Middle East (not Dubai) and love it out there although it’s expensive. Their salary is tax free which helps a lot and they go to the beach and do water sports after work.

I have 30+ years experience in state secondary schools. After being a SAHM, I did supply and found it quite challenging: the transient state makes establishing discipline more difficult, can be exploited by students who are determined to push your barriers. Teaching is easier and more effective when underpinned by sound discipline; without it, this rewarding but demanding job is a struggle.
It might be something to consider when you have completed your ECT years.

A really good friend is a teacher and says it’s definitely tougher but she adores her job and says to people if you feel it’s for you then it really is

I rarely talk about my job, but I teach abroad OP. You do usually need 2 years UK experience to work abroad to get a work visa, but there may be exceptions. The PGCE is recognised pretty much everywhere. I am very happy with my workload, and the parents here are v. supportive. Good kids. Not all international schools are the same, you need to choose really carefully because it's likely a 2 year commitment (all contracts I've had for various international schools have been 2 years at a time). I've heard some horror stories about other schools but always seem to have landed on my feet. You do need to be able to concede to the laws of the country you move to, though, and adapt to the culture, which is another reason to research really well.

Supply teaching will test your skills and knowledge to breaking point, work is patchy and pay is paltry. You’re lucky you have a supportive DH.

I wouldn't consider supply unless you are employed directly by the school and paid to scale. Often supply is paid at cover supervisor rates which is poor. I think specialist schools tend to be better and it sounds as if you have the experience to get a job with them.

You have to treat the job like a job. Too many teachers get sucked into doing extra for the kids. Before you know it you're working 60+ hour weeks and paying for classroom supplies. The worst situations are staff working part time hours but spending their days off catching up on work.

If you are a perfectionist don't even think about it. Your mental health will tank.

I am a teacher and mostly enjoy my job.
i do wonder about your aspirations to do supply though. It is very poorly paid and you don’t get any of the good bits of teaching- developing relationships, paid holidays etc.

If you want to do supply, you could get a job as a cover supervisor and see what that’s like for a term. In my experience, the teachers doing supply are those that could not secure a permanent job, and there is a reason for that. Supply really is one of the most demoralising jobs ever!

If you are looking for a 9-5.30 job with an accurate job description, a six figure salary, flexibility and routine then teaching is not for you.

Teaching is a vocation, one you have to love, but you have experience of working in a school, you have a clear view of the conditions and the pupils. I see no reason to abandon your dream.

Teaching is a great career. I would say stick to SEND. I was a teacher for many years. My favourite jobs were SEND and working in a Pupil Referral Unit weirdly. Smaller classes, more support and the ability to really work closely with the children. I do something adjacent to teaching now and I miss it sometimes. I sometimes ask my boss if I can go back but I feel I've lost my 'edge'.

I know quite a few 30 something teachers through my sport they are all happy in their jobs (state secondary single sex nice area) and talk fondly of their pupils albeit eye rolling but nothing sinister.

I think they are very few and far between.

30 years a teacher in an Ofsted outstanding school used as an example by DFE as a well run caring school.

It still utterly broke my mental health.

Get yourself in at a decent school and it’s a great career. Get in at a school with unsupportive management and it’s hell! I would be careful with supply though. Whilst it pays well it can be very stressful getting your head round all the expectations of different schools and routines. A regular or long term supply contract might be better.

Teaching is fantastically rewarding if you have choices and a reasonably thick skin.

I did 10 years in private secondary after a career in finance. Many good teachers are either second career teachers or married to the main earner.

A lot of these go part time (I did about half way through) due to a combination of child care and not wanting to work ridiculous hours during term time.

And you will have to put up with petty rules, SLT who treat you like Year 14 and ridiculous parental demands. So you need to be able to stick up for yourself and move schools if it isn’t working for you.

But, the upside is actually inspiring young people and working in a genuine community of like minded people. If you like the ‘teaching’ bit of being a teacher, I would say that the rest is worth it.

I work in international special ed and would 100% recommend it. If you can do the NPQSENCO once you're qualified and have at least 2 years experience in the UK, you'll be able to get a job as an inclusion teacher in a British curriculum school overseas.

Some I know is recently qualified. She found her placements quite tough, but now seems to be settled into the school she got a job at after finishing her PGCE, so I think the school can make a big difference.

I don't think it sounds mad. I think teaching abroad sounds like a great way to explore different parts of the world while earning. I agree some specialist schools seem more appealing from a workload perspective but the day still looks tough. Supply is the only thing I'd take issue with. I think you need to be a good experienced teacher to tackle supply with ease. It takes away the nice bit of teaching which is building a relationship with the class / parents. If I were you I'd train and teach mainstream for a few years to get experience before then moving on to what you've suggested.