wwyd.... getting into teaching Vs getting pregnant

[Needadoughnut]

DP and I really want a baby we're not getting any younger so the sooner the better... We leave in a fairly rural area and I come from a corporate background so finding jobs hasn't been the easiest. It looks like I could do a PGCE with a bursary... But what would happen if I'm pregnant in the middle of the course? Or even before I start? Of course I could do it once baby is born (what I think I would do) but I don't know the bursaries will be available by then. Any experiences with this type of programme would be very helpful.

If it doesn’t work or you hate it then you leave. But at least you won’t regret not trying it.

I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m a rare teacher that loves what they do. You don’t seem like you’ve got a realistic view of either the job or the training. First thing to do is get some proper work experience in secondary schools.

What you will hate, OP, is the pay. The pay is fucking appalling considering the hours you have to put in. That and the incredibly low esteem that you are held in by most of the rest of the world.

Have you visited a secondary school recently?

I agree PurpleDaisies.
I love my job but always advise people get a realistic view of what the profession is before training.
I don't mean listen to all the doom and gloomers, but go in realising that there's highs and lows, what a typical day would be like etc.

I wouldn't go into teaching at all. Especially if you're planning a family in the not too distant. There must be something else you could do. I have plenty of quals inc a degree but didn't complete my pgce and that was well before kids when I was quite young.

Thank you all. I'll definitely look more into it. I know with being a mum it's always a struggle to know what to prioritize

Practically I’d do the teacher training and nqt first but if you have age going against you I’d start the teacher training and ttc. It could take months and if there’s an issue and you struggle to get pg it would be harder if you waited.

If there’s a university near you why not go into admin? There are loads of very interesting jobs hat will definitely be academically challenging and they are well paid with good holidays and pensions. Faculty manager, research impact specialist, knowledge exchange manager, graduate school manager, public engagement manager, researcher/academic development professional, etc etc etc. With a corporate background (and universities employ lawyers, accountants, surveyors too, obviously) and fluent MFL you should be very able to get something interesting and rewarding without a PhD or all the stress of having to do your research in your own time.

My exH is a head of department and I have acquaintences working there. 95% of the jobs are fake ones (they only get advertised to follow their own regulations but they already know no extey candidate is going to get it).

Ah your posts and lack of reflection or understanding is so familiar.

We have had quite a few trainees through our school that have come from industry/London.

So often they seem to think that the students should be grateful as they are coming to teach them with all their experience.

They watch experienced teachers and believe it will be easy to emulate them. Without realising how much planning and prior work has gone into the snapshots they see.

They empathise with us but critique good teachers trying to help them yet offer nothing but their own egos in the classroom.

We have many that are not used to constructive feedback and are unable to change their practise. All end up crashing out as it doesn't live up to their expectations.

I would recommend getting into local secondary schools soon and sincerely hope you don't fall into the above camp!

Forget teaching, have a baby and become a freelance translator. It's super family friendly and can be done remotely so living rurally isn't an issue. PM me if you like :-)

Thanks @LaDaronne I will do so!