AIBU to want the retrain as a secondary teacher??

[PinkPiranha11]

I’m a mum of two kids (7 and 4) with no plans to have any more. I’m almost 40. I have a degree in a business/marketing subject and 10 years exp working in communications. Been a SAHM barring some freelance work here and there since 2015. I love history and English lit and am thinking of going back to uni to get a degree in one of those subjects. Would I be CRAZY to want to become a secondary teacher in these subjects? Would I even get a job? Is it awful? Be honest.... everyone I’ve asked in real life thinks it’s a ridiculous idea. One ex-teacher I know said “I’d rather be on benefits” 😕
I’m lucky to have a husband who earns a good salary but works very long hours in his own business. Enlighten me.....

There's a reason 1 in 3 teachers quits in five years. You need some experience of working in a secondary school before you make the commitment which will be hard to get right now. Most teachers I know are looking for a way out

I retrained as a teacher in my 40s after years as a journalist. I was able to train to teach in my original degree subject (MFL) which I love. You need to love your subject at secondary.

If you did a degree then PGCE it would take four years and cost £9k a year (excluding any living costs). If you already have a degree, could you not teach that subject? Would save time and money.

I'll be honest and say I left teaching a couple of years ago and I am very glad I did. I had a fab department and loved my subject but the head was an unsupportive bully, many of the kids were out of control, my classroom management was not good and the sanctions were weak. There are better schools I have no doubt. And better teachers than me thank goodness.

Have you done any school experience OP - you need to find out what it is really like.

Oh and I don't think it is very compatible with young children - tho I will admit that once they have some independence (ie are at secondary) it's great to be off in the holidays with them.

Not crazy but what are your qualifications in history and English! You normally need a degree in the main subject you teach, maybe less so in additional subjects. I had expected you to say you wanted to teach business studies!

The training year and NQT year are very tough, especially on those with a family to look after as well. Have you had any classroom experience/ shadowing?

If everyone else is running screaming out of a burning building, what would you say to the individual strolling blithely the other way muttering "surely it can't be all THAT hot?"

Your experience of teaching depends a lot on your school and SLT.

I worked in one place where I cried every morning, my current school I usually love.

I retrained mid-30s with 2 primary aged DC. The time off is great, ok pension, wage and perks such as healthcare. The hours are insane, but also flexible meaning you can work evenings and weekends when the DC are asleep.

Ignoring the pandemic which has caused obvious problems, I have no regrets about going into teaching.

YANBU. I read all the horror stories two but I trained with children younger than yours and it has been tough but a few years on and I still love it. I work full time as a single mum to primary age DC and I'm doing really well- it's not always a disaster!

Depends on what your motivation is.

If you really love engaging teenagers and think you would find it fulfilling teaching them, are expecting hard work, a reasonable degree of stress, and quite a bit work outside school hours such that you work a full time job but as longer days term time with longer holidays, go for it.

Be aware that:
The longer holidays are matched by a heavy workload in term time and a lack of flexibility. You will likely still need wraparound care for your own children.

It's not the same learning about a subject yourself, and teaching it to others, especially where many of those you teach might a) not share your interest b) might find it very difficult to learn

Too*

Okay, so maybe I am a BIT tired....

Id also say I do not have ALevels or a degree in my chosen subject.

They are desperate for teachers so its worth applying, there are other factors they will consider such as experience and subject knowledge.

@mayandjuniper

YANBU. I read all the horror stories two but I trained with children younger than yours and it has been tough but a few years on and I still love it. I work full time as a single mum to primary age DC and I'm doing really well- it's not always a disaster!

Ita a common misconception that it is harder with primary aged children than secondary. Once your children are older it will get much harder to balance their needs with the job.

I have a lot of respect for good teachers, who have a passion for teaching and actually LIKE children. You aren't going in blind, you have life experience behind you, please go for it!

@PheasantPlucker1

Id also say I do not have ALevels or a degree in my chosen subject.

They are desperate for teachers so its worth applying, there are other factors they will consider such as experience and subject knowledge.

They are absolutely desperate for teachers, they will take almost anybody

The number of teachers has dropped like a stone during covid, in spite of those, like me, postponing retirement to see the pandemic out.

Due to those who have died/been left disabled/bereaved/left teaching to take on caring roles in their families as others have been left disabled.

I took on a new job in summer, a covid vacancy.

Like PPs have asked. Do you have any secondary school experience? I would get some experience before going for it. (Hard in these times I know)

I turned 50 last year. Graduated from Open University in 2019. I got a job as an LSA in an FE college Sept 2019 and I love it. I definitely know I want to teach in FE and plan to start PGDE in September. I definitely don't want to work in a mainstream, 30 students a class, secondary school! But others do. Like I say, try to get some experience, which you would get doing a PGCE. But in secondary you need a good weight of your degree to be in the subject you plan to teach.

I have the correct A levels at decent grades but I’d need to study a degree I think. I live in a city with two Universities so that could be done but would cost a lot and there would be no funding as I already have a degree. I couldn’t teach Business Studies as I’d find it so boring and as a PP said, I think you’d need passion for the subject to teach it at secondary.
Oh dear....it’s not sounding good from the posts above 🤦‍♀️

I would say get some experience in a school. When my 3 DC were all at school I got a job as a TA in a special school. I have a history degree and thought I’d do a couple of years and then train to teach. My TA job totally put me off teaching. The pressure from SLT is immense.

But I was promoted and now I’m an intervention Coordinator and I plan, evaluate have meetings with hod and SLT. I’m master of my own domain but without the pressure (and pay) and it suits me just fine.

You need hands on experience but there’s no reason why you can’t do it.

Watching this thread with interest as I am currently considering the same (though different subject)! I’m 38 with slightly older dc. I really don’t want to make the wrong decision - a teacher friend of mine (English) said it would fuck up my life for 5-10 years!

I considered a PGCE some years back but lurked on forums long enough to decide that it wasn't for me.

Before committing, go and get a job in a school. That will give a really good insight as to what it would be like. You have nothing to lose...

You may be at a disadvantage in not holding degree qualifications in your chosen subjects.

The hours are long, certainly at the beginning. Teaching is so much more than just being enthusiastic about the subject and liking working with young people. It's also crowd control, pastoral care, piles of data and useless admin. Most of my colleagues work weekends and evenings just to stay afloat.

Once schools are open again try and get a weeks work experience in a secondary school or two where you can observe the day to day stuff.

It's hard going but there are elements of it which are absolutely fantastic - you will never be bored and no two days are the same.

I did my PGCE at the age of 36 with three young children and never looked back.

I love my subject, my students and working in my department, which I now lead.

Starting from scratch though with a new degree subject will be very expensive and demanding. Can you not look to train up with a PGCE in business studies or a maths based subject and then do a subject enhancement in English or History? It will be quicker, and cheaper.

And no, they don’t just “take” anyone! That’s a ridiculous thing to say.

I started working in a secondary school 18 months ago after years of working in primary education. I love it. The idea of going back to primary has never and probably will never cross my mind.

You need to do a degree and then train, so you a have four years of study to get there.

I’ve been teaching for nearly two decades, and the job has changed so much over that time. I hate it now.

Well- I started to retrain out of teaching- but it just made me realise how much I love the job.
Working in a school is great!
It's hard work and challenging, but teenagers are wonderful (and bloody awful sometimes too!)
Could you go in when things calm down to get an idea of the job?

It will cost you an awful lot of money and take you several years to qualify.
Absolutely do NOT go in blind!
Once the pandemic is over, look for a job as a TA in a secondary school near you. Be open about why you want the job. If you are good and like the school then your foot is already in at the door for a teaching job in 3+ years.

You aren't young, so would be going into it with your eyes wide open. The main thing in your situation I think is being realistic about whether you are prepared to sacrifice family time in exchange for work when that has been your focus for a long time.

It is not a job I am promoting to my dc.