Any teachers out there - career advice please

[whatnow47]

Hi everyone

Would love to know your experiences if you are in the teaching profession.

I am seriously thinking about training to be a teacher, specifically teaching English. The issue is I am very shy and introverted even though I am passionate about my subject and think teaching could be a really rewarding vocation.

Is it even possible to be introverted and a good teacher?

Thank you for any advice

I’m quite quiet and considered and teach English at a secondary. I love my job and have good behaviour management. Some of my colleagues are real performers and story tellers abs thr kids love them. I’m more kind and nurturing and really know my stuff subject wise. There is room for everyone. I would say that although I’m quiet I’m not shy. You have to be willing to consistently put yourself out there in many different ways to teach. Get some experience in a school before you sign up for a pgce

I'm not very outgoing but I'm a successful teacher. It's an act.

I think you need to understand that a great deal of your time will not be about discussing literature. It will be about getting children to pass exams by churning out the right essays. Many of these kids will not share your passion and will actively try and piss around while you are sharing your passion. You will need to be in charge and able to keep order. Yes you can learn how to do this but I think you sound a little idealistic.

I would love a job where I am paid to talk about literature

Lol. Wouldn't we all?

But teaching isn't standing up and pontificating to a fascinated audience. Do you like children? Do you love hard work? Are you resilient?

Fair points and understood. Thank you

@Pemmican

Yes to the first 2 ..not so much third question.

I was a secondary English teacher for 7 years, recently switched careers. I am quite extroverted but I have known some great introverted and/or relatively quiet teachers; as long as you are able to be assertive when needed then you’ll be OK. My only question would be whether you’d enjoy it as an introvert as it does take a lot of energy, so perhaps worth gaining some teaching experience in some respect before applying, to see how you find it. Even as an extrovert I often used to feel quite wrung out and exhausted by the level of interaction.