DH and I both want to study to become a teachers at 42 and 45? Will be 47/51 by the time we've finished! Are we nuts?

[Lionessy]

I have always remembered my old dragon of an English teacher, who I thought hated me, telling me at my last lesson before I left school 'Lionessy, promise me you will go to university to study English, that is your talent'. The only compliment I can ever remember in an abusive and very lonely childhood .

Of course I did'nt. My self esteem has always been very low so I drifted from crap job to crap job, never enjoying them, always feeling like I was punching below my weight. I have spent 9 of the last 11 years of a SAHM (2 years in a short lived job local government role before DC4) prior to that I was a PA in banking in London where I was bored out of my skull!

After considering many new directions to have a last shot of a 'career', I've got it in my head to do an OU degree in English Language and Literature and then do a PCGE so I can use the degree to teach, preferably in a college or even use it to teach abroad.

I have mentioned this to DH and suggested he also does an OU degree in combined Maths and Physics which he always excelled at at school. English is not his mother tongue but I believe he can do it. He can then train to become a teacher as well which he would love (he is currently a lorry driver!). We could have weekends and school holidays free with the DC, the youngest of which is only 2 now and will be in the education system for the next 16 years and we will have another 15-20 years of working years left as well. Over the 4/5 years of training, DH will continue driving lorries and I will look for part time office work when DC4 starts nursery/school.

DH likes the idea but says I'm dreaming. It's not realistic and we are too old. We will also have student loans in excess of £30k. I am an eternal optimist though despite having much shit thrown at me throughout my life and really think this could a an achievement for both of us. AIBU and unrealistic?

Yes do it. We will all be working well into our 70s anyway!!!
At least you'll enjoy your job

I'm sorry, but I don't think the obvious answer is teaching, that would be the obvious answer if you are brimming with confidence and your vocation in life is to educate young minds. Jobs teaching in HE are rare and teaching at uni would take more degrees than a PGCE.

I don't know where else an English degree can go and enhance earning power.

My DH teaches maths (at GCSE and A-Level) and definitely prepares powerpoints, games and a shedload of interactive whiteboard material, etc. It may be that he's a little slow and a perfectionist (in fact, I bet that's the main reason) but it would still take hours.

But the point is that the material stays basically the same from year to year, you OH can build on what he's done and reuse resources.
Yes you have to prepare materials and cater for the differentiation, but it isn't the same as changing from Lord of The Flies to To Kill a Mockingbird, or swap Shakespearean plays.

I have a cousin who decided on a major career change at 45 and embarked on a PGCE to become a teacher. It was a disaster for her whole family. Debts, stresses, arguments, resentment, guilt, etc. She didnt enjoy the teaching placements and was not able to handle the inner city kids in failing schools. She ended up on antidepressants and failing the course. No confidence whatsoever.

I also have a brother who did an OU degree with small children and a low paid job. It was VVVV hard work for 6 years for him. He funded it himself, got his degree, and then went on to work in something completely unrelated which he now loves.

I'm sorry to say I do kind of feel this is just a dream for you and it sounds a very unrealistic plan to be honest.

Have you considered other ways to use your love of English ? trying an evening course in writing or book clubs ?

Author!
That would fit in with children.

It's really really hard. DH trained and was an NQT at 40. He's knackered and there is no way he would have been able to do it if I didn't pick up the slack at home.

I agree with the poster who said it's a young person's game, TBH. There's no way he's going to be doing it at 60.

Sorry soverylucky I wasn't clear, I teach primary, but we are doing our end of year assessments at the moment, hence the maths papers.

GoblinGranny you are right of course! Had not even thought about material changing from year to year. But then I'm not a teacher for this very reason and a million others

Although I have taught the same year group for several years, so although things need tweaking and some changes are made year on year, I can 're use lots of resources and I am quite familiar with the curriculum.

Why not do the degree and then think again? Visit/volunteer in schools. See how you like them. Let your husband do what's right for him. Good luck.

Go for it!

My hubby is nearly 41 and is one year into a part-time PGCE. Whilst it is not a breeze he finds it relatively easy to do despite working full time in addition, having 2 young children (one with special needs) and having some caring responsibilities for a disabled mother.

It wasn't hard to get onto and because he has a first all the fees are paid out of a pretty generous bursary. If you get a good degree you will qualify for this bursary and won't have any student loans, especially if you take the part time PGCE.

We have our weekends free and although it can sometimes get a bit hectic around assessments its certainly no more stressful than other professions.

Its given him a new lease of life and he thoroughly enjoys it.

The only thing I would add is that he has chosen primary (as most of our friends are primary teachers). It might be a whole different kettle of fish for secondary.

Yep, because becoming an author is a sure-fire way to future success and earning power

My average working week is around 70 hrs. More at certain times less at others. But don't think it will reduce your hours or enhance a work life balance!

I came into teaching at 38. I'm exhausted now after having loved the job I'm looking for an escape route. It is the most demoralising job I've ever had.
Just keep your eyes open

If you are realistic about it by all means go ahead. But I would advise that you don't BOTH do it at the same time. I did my PGCE with a 5 year old and a 16 month old. DH was essential to keep the family running. We could not have coped if BOTH of us were doing the course.

teaching doesn't have to be children in a secondary school.

Go for your degrees and keep an open mind.

Well, I think if you really want to do it then you should. Yes, teachers work evenings and weekends, but so most people I know. It's not the only profession which involves out of hours work! Preparation is part of the job imo. DH has to prep for presentations in the evenings/weekends as he doesn't have time during his normal working day. He also has to get flights at 6.30am, work all day and get back home at 10pm (if he's not away overnight). That's with 25 days holiday a year, so I do find it hard to be sorry for teachers.

Go for it!

Do the degree at least. I am 44 and still retraining - sitting exams in 2 weeks (gulp). It can be done!

OU fees are now £5K pa and they are eligible for Student Loans like any other uni course (if you don't already have a degree). It's worth trying the Access to Success Route - it gives you an access module (a 10-credit "taster" for people who have not studied at university) for £25 and then a 60-credit module for £1000, for which you can get a loan. The 60-credit module is equivalent to half a year of study, so that would give you the first year of your degree for £3500 loan instead of £5000.

I don't see what he earns has to do with it soverylucky. However, it's not miles away from what a senior position in education could get. The point I'm making is that most people work many extra hours and do other things besides. I don't think many people seriously think teachers work 9-3 do they?

If OP genuinely wants to retrain then I don't think teaching is any tougher hours wise than lots of other jobs. It shouldn't put her off going for it imo.

I'm sorry, but sine the OP has now said

Ideally I would love to work in a college or university and hopefully that may come later. I can't stand my own young children/teenager let alone anyone elses!!

she needs to stay away from my beloved profession and potentially my own children! I find it odd that someone who thinks this is even considering teaching? If you mean uni teaching, OP, you realise you will need an MA, PhD,and a huge amount of research papers and work? You're now looking at 8 years before earning anything much. I love the OU but academia is so competitive I don't think it's realistic to think a degree from there would kick start an academic career. If you love the subject, just study it and enjoy it!

Also, it can be even worse being at home at weekend and evenings working while the rest of your family want you with them. In some ways I'd rather work 12 hour days away. It's useful for childcare but it is quite painful.

I agree with Morgan.

Teaching at University takes much more that a PCGE. You will need to have done an MA, which you may have to fund yourself, a PhD and have published work in articles and journals in your chosen field.

I agree with those who say do the degree and then see how you feel. That is what I am currently doing and am just about to finish my first year.