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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think being a teacher is a good career

106 replies

trailledog · 10/02/2011 22:50

My brother is in his last year at uni and has applied to go on a PGCE next year as well as for some jobs. At the moment his current preferance is to go into teaching, I told my sister about it tonight and she scoffed. Then she started to talk how those who can't do teach and how she'll have to talk some sense into him when she goes and sees him this weekend to stop him wasting himself.

OP posts:
mitochondria · 10/02/2011 22:54

What does your sister do?

NumberFuckerUpper · 10/02/2011 22:54

It's the best job in the world, but only if your heart & soul is in it. It shouldn't be a 'can't get a job so might as well do another year at uni' choice.

Changeisagoodthing · 10/02/2011 22:54

Primary or secondary?

Catholic?

mitochondria · 10/02/2011 22:55

The PGCE is hard work. I think it does a pretty good job of weeding out people who aren't really that serious.

Original poster
trailledog · 10/02/2011 22:56

My sisters a chartered surveyor.

It'll be secondary

OP posts:
hissymissy · 10/02/2011 22:57

Your sister sounds delightful not . I wouldn't want to teach her kids with that attitude towards the teaching profession.

Changeisagoodthing · 10/02/2011 22:57

Catholic?

Original poster
trailledog · 10/02/2011 22:58

No we're anglicans

OP posts:
freddy05 · 10/02/2011 22:59

Teaching is a brilliant job and as teachers are responsable for the future doctors, nurses, teachers, politicians etc it is in no way a profession for people who can't find somethingelse to do.

HArd work, long hours, not one word of thanks and everyone thinks they know how to do your job better than you do BUT I love it and feel very honored to have a hand in the future of my country.

Changeisagoodthing · 10/02/2011 23:01

Ok.

Primary, male and catholic would be a headteacher in 5 years at 60 k which isn't bad.

Anglican and secondary. £35 k

Carrotsandcelery · 10/02/2011 23:02

Teaching is not for the faint hearted. It is not well paid but it is really hard work. It requires many hours work after school hours. It requires varied and effective interpersonal skills. It demands constant enthusiasm. It is criticised constantly by people who think they know what they are talking about but don't. Teaching is not the cop out. You have to really really want to do it and to put your heart and soul into it.

huddspur · 10/02/2011 23:03

Teaching is a good career and there are far worse ones out there.

candleshoe · 10/02/2011 23:06

I really love it but it is 70-80 hours a week and is poorly paid and the profession is low on respect from others too.

Unless you were convinced it was the job for you I would seriously think again!

I must point out that since my 3 DC were born I have done private tuition. The job is toooo insanely difficult and time consuming to do well with a young family to take care of.

Vicky2011 · 10/02/2011 23:06

Does your sister have kids? Seems an odd attitude if she does - to imagine that the people teaching (either current or future) DCs are, effectively losers who couldn't do anything else.

candleshoe · 10/02/2011 23:07

Yes - I must concur that men climb the ladder very fast in primary ed.

Hellebore1 · 10/02/2011 23:07

My daughter wanted to teach from the age of six. She has now been teaching Year 6 primary for 5 years, loves every minute and also thinks it's the best job in the world.
I agree with NumberFuckerUpper it isn't a job to consider because of the absence of anything else.

mitochondria · 10/02/2011 23:09

I think being a chartered surveyor would be really dull.

(speaking with absolutely no experience to back up my opinion. But then everyone does that with teachers)

Original poster
trailledog · 10/02/2011 23:10

She does have a daughter

OP posts:
allatsea1 · 10/02/2011 23:11

I think that if it's what he wants to do then fantastic. However ALL of my friends are teachers and only one of them said it's what she wanted to do - the rest fell into it when they were at a complete loss at what to do after uni. So I can see where your sister is coming from. I have to say though my friends are all on good money, get fantastic hols, have good job security etc etc but personally I think we are here to really go for what you want. Also I think it shows when you aren't passionate.

GetOrfMoiLand · 10/02/2011 23:12

I think that if you want to be a teacher and are passionate about it, it must be the best job in the world.

But not if you are faint hearted. I wouldn't consider it because of the pay.

GiddyPickle · 10/02/2011 23:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SE13Mummy · 10/02/2011 23:17

Teaching is a great career to have, if you actively want to be a teacher. It's not usually an enjoyable experience for people who 'fall into' it or who can't think of an alternative.

It's my 'day off' today. I have worked from 9.30am until about 15 minutes ago with a total of 2 hours of breaks from the work that has to be done for tomorrow but couldn't be started until after 5pm yesterday. Would I give it up for my job pre-teaching? Not a chance!

We do have 13 weeks a year when we're not required to teach but we have contracts that state that we should work as many hours as it takes for the job to be carried out so it's not the 9am-3.30pm, term-time only doddle that some believe it to be.

Your brother will need to be someone who is able to play the hoop-jumping and box-ticking games that each government requires of us and that the NQT year will consist of - it's backbreaking. He will also need stamina, excellent organisational skills, a passion for his subject and a very thick skin.

It's exhausting, demanding and sometimes feels impossible but it's a great career - no two days are the same and nothing can replace the absolute high of being part of a child's success.

stressheaderic · 10/02/2011 23:20

I don't think it's that poorly paid at all. Maybe I mix in different circles than the OP's sister but I earn more after 6 years of teaching than any of my friends at a similar point in their careers.

What I love the most about the job is that you see a direct result of your own hard work, right in front of you. Not making profit for a faceless corporation, not fiddling with figures all day, not clock-watching.

Aside from all the admin, planning and meetings (which are a grind, I won't lie), you are effectively your own boss in the classroom.

The job never ends though, I'm mn-ing here while still doing my planning and a half-marked pile of books are next to me, can't go to bed til they're done.
But my god, the holidays. I'm off all next week. Then only working 6 days in April Smile

popelle · 10/02/2011 23:24

Of all the teachers I know, none of them wanted to be teachers when they were at university and rather drifted into the teaching profession. I think it depends what class of degree he is on course to get and from which university

missmakesstuff · 10/02/2011 23:28

I second that the PGCE year can be brutal.

But the rewards are great, and not monetary.

But you have to have some balls. I have worked in some really shitty schools - but have loved it, at times. Hated it others, but mostly loved it.

I 'fell' into it. at 25, didn't know what else I wanted to do.

But then I teach art - which although very full on, and practical, with lots of extra curricular stuff, is fun, most days. Other subjects can be seriously hard work. What would he teach?