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Original poster

To do primary teacher training or not?

13 replies

twinklingfairy · 06/03/2011 20:22

I am swithering big style.
One day I am up for it, the next I think that I won't handle the stress both of the course itself (it has been 10yrs since I got my degree) or of the position of primary teacher.
I am in scotland and the whole system has changed this year and it seems so confused.

I think I am capable of it, but I am not sure that I can hadle the background stress that no one sees but we all know is there.

I have not worked since about 7 months pregnant with DD, so 4.5yrs, and my job then was shop assistant (I had the title of Manageress but the owner didn't let me do any actual managingHmm) in a very quiet shop. I liked it because it was a go to work, work, do a bit of my own stuff (I made all my wedding invites and favours during my days)come home and forget all about it job.

Do I really want to be a teacher? Or do I think I ought to because I have talked about doing it for so long I now feel I ought to.
I should have applied in my final year of uni, but put it off because I just wasn't sure I wanted to enter into my 6-7th year of education. That and not sure that I wanted to be a teacher at all.

I was an Art student doing ceramics, I hoped to become a working craftsperson/artist but you know how it is with small children. Ceramics is just not something you can stop and start, so it has fallen to the wayside.
Though DD will be in Primary 1 in August and DS will be in Plagroup so it might be possible to get going then.

I am confused by what direction to take or whether I should go anywhere and just sit still and enjoy being a mum.
What is wrong with being a SAHM anyway?

OP posts:
SandStorm · 06/03/2011 20:26

Being a teacher is terribly hard and it's something you really really have to want to do (I know because I've applied for it this year). You need to get some classroom experience behind you to help you make the final decision IMO. Just a couple of weeks will help you make your mind up.

And there's nothing wrong with being a SAHM if that's what suits you and your family. I did that too while the children were little and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

ninah · 06/03/2011 20:31

I'd get some classroom experience, you can use your arts background to good advantage, and see if you like working in that environment
your dc are still young, so if you left formal training a little while longer it wouldn't be the end of the world
I am hoping to train this september, and my first degree was over 20years ago Blush

pozzled · 06/03/2011 20:34

"I liked it because it was a go to work, work, do a bit of my own stuff (I made all my wedding invites and favours during my days)come home and forget all about it job."

Teaching is the complete opposite to this! It does have a lot of rewards and can be great in lots of ways, but you do need to really want to do it.

My PGCE year was the toughest time in my life, closely followed by my NQT year. I do enjoy many aspects of my job and it has got a lot easier the more experience I have, but I agree with sandstorm that you should get some classroom experience before deciding.

Can you volunteer in a local school for a while? If so, and if you know any teachers, ask them to show you their weekly plans, assessment procedures, and talk to them about their workloads.

Oh and nothing wrong with being a SAHM- I would (at least for a few years) if I could afford it!

Original poster
twinklingfairy · 06/03/2011 20:47

I have had a experience in the classroom from when DS turned 2 and I could get him into the childcare facilities in the local school, october last year.
I love being in the class, it is just the background work involved that frightens me.
The teacher whos class I am in has warned me that my first few years in the job will be hard work as I struggle to find my feet.
That is what has scared me. I was prepared for knuckling down during the course, doing the full year probationary then settling into a part time position. That was my plan anyway Smile Not so sure it will be that easy now.

I have 2 choices re studying too. I could apply to do a one year full time course,starting 2012, which would involve moving me and the children down near my PIL (for childcare) 200 miles away.
Or waiting until 2013 when I can start the 2 year part time course. That would mean that it would take me another 5 years to be qualified.

OP posts:
roisin · 06/03/2011 20:48

Before you train, check what the job situation is like in your area. Lots of unemployed primary teachers in England and Scotland atm.

southeastastra · 06/03/2011 20:50

i'd like to be a teacher - go for it

Original poster
twinklingfairy · 06/03/2011 20:51

pozzledSmile That is exactly what I was getting at. I am not sure I have it in me to work so hard.
Just being honest about my own shortcomings.
It sounds absolutely terrible, but I am a float through life kind of a gal.
But I wonder if I ought to pull my socks up and do something worthwhile.

OP posts:
Original poster
twinklingfairy · 06/03/2011 20:57

Oh heaven knows what the situation will be up here in a few years time. They are talking about closing down 2 of our village schools soon.

My long term plan is to leave good old blighty behind anyway. We are thinking Canada.
I think that a teachers qualification could be a door opener.
But that could very well be another pipe dream or perhaps DHs job might get us there.
Or I will be miserable in a stressed out job. Loving the children and working with them, but hating all the bureaucracy nonsense that comes along with it.

OP posts:
SarfEasticated · 06/03/2011 21:05

If you're anything like me, maybe you float along because you don't want to try to do anything and then fail. I think (and I'm projecting here*) that you should retrain, or you will never feel you pushed yourself. Can you not teach art? or teach adult education? Or teach some kind of art therapy?
You love being in the classroom, why not give it a go?

*I am in a very similar position, but have an HND in design, so would have to spend 3 years full time retraining Sad. I should take the plunge and do it, but I stop myself because I'm a chicken.

Original poster
twinklingfairy · 06/03/2011 21:34

I hadn't thought on failing.
I had thought of all the hard work involved in working at it. The stress involved in trying and trying and it all seems like a lot of hoops to jump through and a good few years of stress to get through.
A short sharp hit if the stuff is one thing. . . . .

Perhaps I should wait until the children are older before putting us all through it. Or go for it now, the sooner done, the sooner it can all settle.

I do feel a little pushed.

OP posts:
Goblinchild · 06/03/2011 21:45

I don't think that teaching is something you should drift into and bob along in like a piece of happy flotsam. If you try and fail or drop out of a different kind of job, you are the only one affected.
if you do so in teaching, the impact is much greater and can cause problems for a lot of people.
You will be working with children, and with colleagues that will need you to pull your weight and do your very best for a sustained period of time, and THB, you don't sound up o it at the moment.
Try being a TA for a year and see how it goes. The competition for TA jobs is keen, but not as ferocious as places for training.
I'm currently working with two volunteers who really want to start their PGCE in September. They are committed, fantastically hard-working, imaginative and a real asset to any children they work with. They've just been through the extended application, and are waiting to find out if they've been successful. They've been working towards this goal for a year, and both have 2:1 degrees.
It's their second attempt.
There's nothing at all wrong with being a SAHM, if you have the chance to do it without financial stress,especially when you aren't sure what you want to do.
There are threads currently running on how not family friendly as a job it is, have a scout around.

SarfEasticated · 06/03/2011 21:49

Can you do the 'teaching assistant on the job training' route? Might make things more gradual?
I am going to prevaricate wait and see what the new system is going to mean. I actually think that I might not be able to do it ? the time, the money, loss of earnings ? but I do have a definite hankering to work with children, I just need to work out in what capacity.
Good luck with whatever you decide Smile

Original poster
twinklingfairy · 06/03/2011 21:51

Are there?
Where would I look?
It took me ages to decide where to put this post.
Will go on a search.

That is my fear, that I can't be a float along person and am I interested enough to keep up.
Oh I am not sure that is what I mean.....
Will I be able to keep it up for a sustained period or will I be to flaky.
I do think that, when I need to, I can pull it together
I am just so Confused

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