To encourage DD2 15 in to a career in Teaching.

[smokepole]

Those that have read some of my previous threads, will be aware of some of DD2s 'foibles'. However, over the last couple of years she has expressed a desire to go in to teaching , I have heard her mentioning it to her friends and just thought she was being a bit 'daft' It appears she is being serious after bumping in to her form teacher in town, who told me that she keeps 'pestering' her about teaching ( DD has had her form teacher since yr7 ) so is quite 'fond' of her.

I have two doubts the first thing at the moment, DD can get quite upset easily if something unpleasant is said to her. The second doubt is she can be a bit 'judgemental' about people and pointed out to me on another thread a bit of an 'academic snob'. DD struggled initially at her grammar school but worked very hard, so is near the top of her year 11 cohort. DD can not understand why kids who are struggling don't just work harder to overcome their problems.

DDs form teacher teacher thinks that if DD could overcome these problems, she could be an excellent teacher, but reading some of these posts teaching is the 'profession from hell'. DD could also have a tendency to be 'politically in correct' ( though right) when telling a pupil off for 'Lazy' or poor work.

DD would like to teach English as this is a strength of hers, to me she 'seems young' to be making career choices but going in to year 11 you have to make them.

I am also confused has to whether DD will be doing be doing 4 A levels in 2017 or 1 AS level in 2016 an 3 A levels in 2017 any help for that one ?

I disagree with Primary. Two NC Alevels would be extra helpful but one Alevel in a NC subject will be just fine. Your DDs experience of working with chn and the time spent gaining experience in schools plus coming across as, at the very least interested and, at the best passionate about teaching through her personal statement and interview are a higher priority.

Passion is a hugely important factor in teaching. That being said, please allow your DD to choose her own Alevel subjects. Offer guidance but please don't push, she'll give (and get) far more out of her education if she's doing something she's genuinely excited by, rather than choosing a path simply because it might lead to one particular career out of absolute thousands.

I think you just need to encourage her to do well really and if the thought of being a teacher is motivating her right now just say 'Oh that's lovely, great idea' - it's not like she's going off to teachers training next week is it?!

Also, do you challange her over everything she says? She's 15, it's not necessary to challenge all of her thoughts/comments 'I want to teach Grammar or Private Schools' why didn't you just accept that right now, that's how she feels, it's not hurting anyone. Not every thing she says has to be a 'learning opportunity' for them. Why not just let her explore her own thoughts and feelings?

Awsomer. I agree that 'passion' is important for 'job' to become a career , otherwise you are just passing time to retirement. I do think though she would get a 'thrill' in helping struggling pupils get a C. I have had to tell off for giving my friends 10 year old son the answers to his homework she has been helping him with his 11+ practice.

Latte. The reason why I don't like the Private/Grammar comments ,are because those in the most need don't always get the best teaching. I explained some of these feelings on a 'parallel' thread. It is also a bit of a 'dig' at her sister who unlike DD2 and cousins who were all educated in either Private boarding schools or Grammar Schools was educated in a 'shit' modern school. The fact that DD1 is doing very well ,is down to the passionate professionals who taught her.

She's 15. She doesn't have to make any career choice for a long while yet. Just encourage her to do whatever she wants having said that I'm a teacher and I will certainly discourage any child of mine who wants to become a teacher

I'm a teacher and I think I was probably quite similar to your DD when younger. I even thought I would end up teaching in private but am now of the opinion that I'm so good at my job and dealing with the huge variety of children we get in state that I would be wasted in a private school.

2 of my biggest achievements in teaching are getting a 5 year old to write his name unaided (everyone else had pretty much given up on him- I was only a student) and tutoring my brother who was failing maths badly to end up with a gcse c last week. He hated tutoring, hated maths and hates me being good at maths!

If she wants to do it, I say encourage her and try to bite your tongue when she makes inappropriate comments.