to think being a teacher is a good career

[trailledog]

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.

I teach reception and I get annoyed at the 'oh little kids playing all day, how lovely and stress free is your day' comments. Err no, each activity is carefully planned and linked to the 119 targets that I have to assess each child on. Regularly. And provide evidence that they can do each one. Lots of evidence. As clearly my word is not good enough. I sound bitter but I'm just tired, last week was ofsted, next week church school inspection and I had to update my assessments. Roll on half term! ( where yes I'll be working whilst trying to give my own DC quality time) All that aside I love my job and wouldn't want to do anything else. The kids are great and I love seeing them make progress and develop a love of learning.

Quote from Wiki

The PGCE was previously also offered in Scotland, but was renamed the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from 2005 to 2006 (the exact year depending on the university offering it). It is identical in content to the previous PGCE

I teach in higher ed NOW in england and the postgrad certificate is a early exit point from our pgdip which then is an early from a masters.
It must vary.

Like any job teaching has its positives and negatives.

Positives

• On the whole it is a job where you feel you are genuinely contributing to society, and have the potential to make a difference to individuals lives
• The pay is decent, although not as good as it could be especially for experienced classroom teachers.
• Currently a very good pension scheme
• Once in a permanant post you have high job security, and there is high demand in some areas
• 13 weeks holiday a year - yes you work some but most teachers can take a month long summer holiday if they manage their time properly.
• At primary in particular you have the opportunity to do lots of fun/interesting things that you wouldn't in a normal job

Negatives

• Hours can be long, and working on the weekend is usual
• It can be very stressful, particularly if you have difficult pupils/parents/managers
• In some schools bullying and unreasonable expectations are rife, and many suffer mental and physical health problems because of it.
• Nowadays there is a very high level of accountability and unnecessary paperwork
• The belief that schools are the cause/remedy for all of societies ills are frustrating. I can't think of another profession where at least weekly there will be some media coverage of what you should be doing/ are doing wrong by people who have no professional expertise
• Holidays are fixed so you have to do everything during them. So I can't go on holiday with my friends, go to a wedding overseas etc. It also means you have no choice but to pay ridiculous holiday prices (unlike some parents who will take children on holiday during term time for a cheap deal)
• People who have crappy attitudes to teaching/no concept of what the job entails and feel the need to voice them to you 9my standard response is - yes it's wonderful, why don't you do it?)

Haven't read the whole thread but i am a language teacher in FE and we get paid much less than school teachers BUT I love my job and there is nothing more satisfying than knowing you have taught people things that will really benefit them in their lives. I never thought i would be a teacher but I love teaching regardless of the low pay.

Oh forgot one more negative

• Weird recruitment practices. References are sort before interview, so you have to tell your current head before you apply for any new job (also you can't just take a day's leave for an interview). Once at interview if succesful you will usually be offered the job at the end of the interview day. It is expected that you will accept. if you decide that you don't want it you are expected to pull out during interview. If you turn down a job offer the there is the potential for your name to be blacklisted among local schools. Also means if you have a dream job being interviewed a few days later, you can't interview for a 'back-up' beforehand. Also only 3 resignation points during the year. If you don't resign by 31st May for the end of the school yearit means you can't leave your current job until the end of December