Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.

[Ohdesireer]

Is this saying still relevant?
I only ask because I’ve wanted to be a nurse all my life, I never got my GCSE’S and didn’t think I was clever enough.

I’m now mid 20s with two DC (3&4)
I decided at the start of this year I was going follow my dream.
I’m halfway into my GCSE maths, if I pass this then onto an access course for a year then uni.

But I’m put off, I got myself a job in a care setting to gain experience for my application. It’s shift work and my partner also does shift work, he’s the main earner so his takes priority and probably always will.
Trying to figure out shifts is a nightmare, I also narrowly escaped having to work Christmas Day (some CF was going to call in “sick” and I would be the next person in)
The thought of missing out on Christmas Day with my kids is daunting. I know people do it, but they know they have to do it and still choose to work in that job.
I don’t know if I want to be the mum who isn’t home for Christmas.

As my partner already works shifts and weekends, I want the DC to have some stability and a parent who is there on weekends.

I think getting into teaching would be the best option for me, maybe a primary school teacher.

My partners mum is a teacher at a blind college.
She leaves at 8:30am and is home by 5pm Mon - Fri.
Once in a blue moon goes into work at the weekend and even then it’s not a must.
And obviously has half term off.

I’ve looked a lot into nursing and the further I look the more I’m put off. I live in a small city (I’m not even exaggerating when I say, most people think it’s a town) so jobs in nursing are hard to come by unless it’s with the NHS.

I’ve heard the saying “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach”
I haven’t looked much into teaching yet, I’d just like advice if people still think this.

I’m not saying I believe it, I just want to know if others honestly do.

My family never expected anything of me.
My mum always said to me, I’m going to end up pregnant at 18, live in a council house and aspire to nothing. She was correct, this indeed did happen. But I now own my own home. (Nothing wrong with living in a council house, but 90% of them in my area are filled with druggies so not the best environment to bring up kids in)

I feel like if I go into teaching, my family will still think I’ve amounted to nothing. Yes I overthink, but the quote is just stuck on loop in my head and I think I need someone to snap me out of it.

I don’t mean to offend anyone, this is just what has been drilled into my head for years.

AIBU?

probably

You seem to have the belief that all is well in the leafy suburbs. It isn't. The issues facing the schools and teachers are just different. When I interviewed for my first job after qualifying three of the other four candidates dropped out over the course of the day as they realised how difficult it would be.

@Dandygal1976

I am close to a lot of teachers and, for the main, they live the life of Riley once they are up and running after a few years (again - affluent areas, not in a senior position).

I read it and you are wrong.

Children in affluent areas suffer from a range of issues. The mental health and well-being of our young people is in a shocking state. Death and misfortune do not only happen to poor people.

Teachers who care are inevitably involved in a significant number of 'real world' issues because even if teachers don't live in the real world their pupils do.

Its call proof on the balance of probabilities not the same as actual evidence.

It isn't even that. Based on third party accounts would make it hearsay unless the PP has personally witnessed every event described.

Even then credibility as a witness to anything more than a one of incident would require evidence of expertise.

Dandygal1976

You are taking it personal.

You are taking it personally. HTH

Miss marples now you are proving you know nothing about Buddhist too along with said teacher

Do please enlighten me then on the differences between the main Buddhist groups and their food choices.

I'm sure you will. Because otherwise nyou look like a prize troll.

The only thing I would correct missmarple on would be that some Mahayanans eat meat (the Dalai Lama being one) but that is often on a a basis of needing to eat what’s there. Monks are the same they have to accept alms so take what’s on offer.

Yes, monks accept offerings as obviously to not do so would be very rude.

But there two main traditions do have differing views on meat consumption.

Few Buddhists are vegan, mind.

Teaching is not the 8-3 job that some people think it is... OP, I have studied at 2 different universities - 1 for my BA undergrad and then the next for my PGCE. Now doing masters.... I'm a primary school teacher working with children with special needs... it is a vocation, not something you do just so you're doing something... you have to truly love your job otherwise you'll resent the time spent in holidays and at weekends you spend planning, resourcing and still set aside time for cpd...

MousseMoose gives excellent examples.

I believe to become a nurse you need a degree. To become a teacher, you need a degree, plus a PGCE. Suggest that you investigate how you would finance your education, because it will cost. There used to be nurse funding, but I think that has stopped. I know people who have good jobs with or without degrees. However, a degree provides you with more choice and opportunities, but it also depends on your personality too. Could you do some work or volunteer in a hospital, it may provide you with some inspiration. There is no age barrier, I know people who have qualified in their late 30s and 40s.

You seem to be confusing been Buddhist and relating your so called knowledge read off the internet only to monks.
If I say a Christian do you think that means just a vicar or priest or preacher?
For the same reason when I say Buddhist I do not talk of a monk I talk of all who follow buddisum the same way if talk of Christian we mean everyone who follows in Christianity.
I work in Asia in a number of country’s all Buddhist predominantly and firstly have never met one that is vegan of which was my original comment.though maybe there are a few out there because if there own choice but not from religion.
As to different Buddhism there are a number of followings and variations depending on which country you talk of not just 2 variations as you imply.
Fish are in every puddle of water river stream pond lake so it’s the biggest food.
The basic belief is to not kill a animal just for oneself but it is acceptable if the animal feeds a number of people.
Beef is not so common but not forbidden but there are some followings that abstain fully from beef,the most common abstinence is not eating the insides of a animal which relates to ghostly beliefs but again in practice is rarely a issue when hungry.
As to monks well whatever you read online is far from the truth like most things online as in practice they eat pretty much anything there given each day. Some may well have orignal beliefs from the past but reality is they eat what Is given each day.
The same goes for alcohol the original belief was to abstain but there are plenty of monks that don’t and a huge percentage of the population drinks all are Buddhist just the same as Methodists that drink at home and fill the bottle banks weekly.

Ha. Teaching is bloody difficult with extremely long hours.

Doesn't mean that the ideal according to the original teachings isn't vegetarianism. I mean, the extreme evangelicals in the US are hardly following the original teachings of the church. It's why when teaching RS I encourage the students to not think in absolutes. The key is to say 'some' think/do this. I got very tired of year 8s telling me that Christians don't believe in evolution. Many do. The majority of Buddhists I have come across would avoid eating meat as far as possible, as they would aim to avoid harming any other living thing. Buddhism is generally more accepting of people 'working towards' it's lofty aims than many other faiths. Some people would debate whether it is a religion at all as it is a philosophy and the Buddha isn't really a deity.
All of which is irrelevant to the question at hand. Teaching isn't an easy job. Neither is nursing. They are just different. A teacher who is just 'coasting' will rapidly find their lives very difficult and stressful. With a partner on shift work nursing could work very well with a family if you can arrange to do opposite shifts (although limits time with your partner). I'm part time at the moment as I have two small children. That's one of the positives of teaching for family life; once in, part time work is usually quite easy to achieve. How well it works with family life depends on the Head.

Moussemoose

Teachers who care are inevitably involved in a significant number of 'real world' issues because even if teachers don't live in the real world their pupils do

What is this other unreal world teachers inhabit?

Is it the one where they pay their mortgage, go on holidays, play bills, walk the dog, raise their children, endure domestic violence, become bereaved?

Or is it the one where they comfort a bereaved child, report on suspect home abuse, have cup of tea with colleagues, plan lessons, mark work, assess the work against national standards set by government?

Do tell.

I like the idea that teachers don’t live in the real world, as though there’s some kind of parallel educational universe you enter through a portal activated by a PGCE (or equivalent).
Anyway, it’s an entertaining thread. OP, ignore your family, get your GCSE and then look at your options. BTW I hope you didn’t ask your current Maths teacher the question you pose in your OP.

I used to think it would be easier in the private sector until I met people who work there.

echt I was being sarcastic in response to a poster who came up with the classic line teachers 'live the life of Riley.'

I asked my sister and a couple of teachers yesterday over Christmas drinks about non management level teaching... "the first few years are hard but then it is easy". I never see any of them work the holidays until the final couple of days after summers. Sorry if you all take offence but I know a lot of teachers and my experience is the same with them all.

Well you must know an awful lot of shit teachers. If they are just turning out the same old same old year after year.

Hmmm-you have always wanted to be a nurse-so see that as a sensible career option, but now you’ve decided you can’t be ased to work Xmas day, you want to teach.

Yet you think your parents will think I’ve amounted to nothing.

So,

Nursing = fab career
Teaching = amounted to nothing

Bizarre?!

I would think (and I am a nurse) that both teaching and nursing are a vocation and not something that you should do unless you really really want to. Both are busy, extremely demanding careers that take a lot of dedication which often you don't get much thanks for.
You can't surely feel the equal desire to do both? Teaching is not an easy option compared to nursing.
If it's nursing you want to do stick with that. Shifts are difficult to work round family life but it's not impossible. If you really want to do it surely your husband will look at how he can perhaps be more flexible at work in order to support you?

Then you obviously don’t know any Buddhists

OP - you have no qualifications beyond GCE and are wondering if it would be beneath you to become a teacher?

LOL.

Actually navigator that’s worrying in itself - is that reflective of the view that people hold about teachers?