Hi there, wondered if anyone has any ideas where to start...! I am an English and Drama Secondary teacher. Been teaching 22 years. The last ten years part time (kids). I enjoy it still, but mainly because I'm Part Time - it gives me the space to do my job/only partly lose my soul to marking/have a life too.
Part of me is considering going back FT, but I am not sure it would make me happy. And I can't afford to work PT forever. Next academic year, I have brought myself an extra day off (2 days/week now) to look ahead/start pathway to retrain etc.
If I had my time again, I'd have been an Ed Psych, but - while I think I could convert to psych degree part time over 2 years, I'm not convinced my mid/late 40s self would get the funding to do the doctorate. I spoke to one provider and they candidly said they are keen to train people who are going to be in the profession for longer.
I am quite interested in instructional design (and UX) so have been wondering about doing a course in this/using it to enhance learning at my own school.
Another idea has been working towards some sort of SEN assessor/specialist. I could speak to our SENCO about that and use my extra day to work from our SENCO department to gain experience leading to qualifications.
Another option is for me to just hope that there is reform in our education system eventually and I'll be able to be a FT teacher until retirement - I mean, that would be nice! But not feeling manageable atm. I did have responsibility (HoY and HoD) before children, but I have no designs on middle mgt or SLT.
Anyone got any ideas/advice/experiences they think would help me ensure I don't end up wasting this opportunity?! I can see me just being drawn in to work on my days off to help out as I end up doing so often atm!
Thanks for reading!