Am I mad to consider a career in teaching?

[FabulousFox]

I'm thinking about going into secondary teaching, in a subject that is currently 'in demand'. I'm in my early forties. I have the qualifications necessary and a passion for my subject; I have a real desire to teach it as I think it's amazing and would love others to learn it too .

However all I seem to hear these days is that I must be mad to consider going into teaching, and this is making me have second thoughts, which is a real shame as it seems that the profession needs people like me that really want to teach this subject!

A bit of background: I have had a good career so far, I enjoy my job but am feeling unfulfilled. Financially, a bursary will support me during my studies and after that I will be in a position to either work part time, or take a bit of time out to find the right job. There is a good choice of state and private schools in my area, and the majority of state comprehensives are rated 'good' or 'outstanding'. I am hard-working, very professional and organised, and not afraid to take work home with me as even though I'm currently part-time I am pretty much 'always on' in my current role already, evenings and weekends included. I have two teenage children who are less needy of me these days, so I feel I'm ready to do something that is a greater challenge, and which will provide me with a more ambitious career path.

Are there any good news stories out there? Are matters likely to improve?? Or should I just ditch the idea completely and carry on plodding along in my lovely, gentle, but ultimately unfulfilling life job?

Always better to try and regret than not to try. You may find a fab school and love the job.

I've had good times and bad times but still love teaching kids. The other stuff can spoil/ruin a good day. The relentless changes and unrealistic expectations mean that you never feel on top of your game, but a good school will make you feel that you're coping in those months where you're getting kids prepared for and through exams.

Student teachers generally fare OK though training and the first year. After that, it's incredibly common for them to move on, hoping another school will be better, or give up completely.

The bit where y

Try again... The bit where you say the profession needs people like you because of your passion for your subject makes me wonder if you're actually listening to why recruitment is an issue. It's not because of a lack of passion. It's because teachers are tired of being treated as if they can solve all problems, work all hours, and when they attempt the impossible getting told they're doing it wrong. Find your fulfillment somewhere else and preserve your mental health.

Godolphian, please don't think I'm not listening. It's because I am listening to the horror stories that I'm holding back. I was full steam ahead before it started to become apparent to me that teaching is perhaps not what I thought it might be these days. By the way, I certainly wasn't saying that those already in the profession have no passion, just that it's a travesty that things have got so bad that people like me are being put off applying, that's all! Thank you for your advice.

Cinderella, yes I might regret at least not trying, true! Although yes I've read a lot about the poor retention-after-training rates. Thank you for your advice.

No, you are not mad. I absolutely love being a teacher. I’ve been doing it for 13 years and intend to stay long term. I will say, though, that it hasn’t been easy. I nearly had a nervous breakdown in my first year because it was so hard. It took me at least five years to feel competent. So be prepared for that.
One thing to consider is that I really don’t think passion for the subject is enough. In fact, it often isn’t really about the subject. You have to love people, and you have to love children. Otherwise you really can’t do the job. I have worked in schools with very challenging children and families (both at the lower and higher economic ends) and you have to be able to love and care about people, even when they seem to be making your life hell. Not everyone will love your subject, no matter how passionate you are about it. I suspect you are a maths or science teacher - you will have to be prepared for pupils, parents, and even other staff to harbour a long term resentment of your subject. But that’s ok! I have pupils who absolutely hate my subject. I’ve been told by families that they were traumatized by it at school, and I’ve been told by other staff members that they don’t care about my subject. But I cope with all that, because even though I love the subject, I mostly just love working with people. Lots of my pupils hate my subject, but they don’t hate me, so we get on fine. You won’t persuade everyone, or perhaps even anyone, to share your passions, but you might be able to help them not hate it!
Anyway, I hope that isn’t too negative. Overall, keep a sense of realism and an open mind and go for it! Like pp says, better to try than never know!
Oh, and also don’t only look at schools that are ‘good’ and above. I’ve worked in one school that was rated very badly, but it was a great place to work. Everyone who was left was determined to improve the place, and there was a real team spirit.

Bravo mathematicalmummy- best account yet of the experience of teaching.

If you never try, then you'll never know. There's absolutely no harm in giving it a go. It's not easy and it's not as family friendly as you would expect. The NQT year is very tough. It's absolutely never boring though! @mathematicalmummy has put things very well!

Thank you @mathematicalmummy for your incisive and interesting post. I do find young people fascinating and I enjoy their company. My house seems to be full of them most weekends so it’s just as well! I really wouldn’t want to go into secondary teaching if I didn’t like teenagers

I’m ok with them not liking my subject, in fact my expectations in that sense are quite low; any spark I could inspire would be a win for me. I get that I’m a bit of a weirdo geek and that certain things fascinate me in my subject that would make a great cure for insomnia in others

Thanks Sakura06

Have you been in a school recently? It may help to shadow a teacher for a few days, see what they have to deal with and think about what prep is going into each lesson. You can get a better idea of additional workload and the reality of the classroom by seeing it in action.

Someone once wrote on here that going into teaching right now is akin to running into a burning building when everyone else is leaving. It’s about as truthful as it gets. The current situation is dire. But many of us still teach.

I enjoy my job but am feeling unfulfilled

Ah well in teaching you’ll do neither.

You don’t need a passion for your subject any more. It’s all about data and spreadsheets, so if you’ve a passion for data and spreadsheets, fill yer boots.

the profession needs people like me that really want to teach this subject!

What’s your subject?

I wouldn’t recommend teaching to my worst enemy at the moment-it’s turned into a bloody horrible job, but...you seem want to do it and the government are clearly crying out for teachers, so that is good.

What I would say is... make sure you know what you’re getting into. I would say most teachers love their subject and like kids. There isn’t a recruitment crisis because we can’t find people like that.

Spend a bit of time finding out why there are so many problems. Do not go into it thinking schools are lucky to have you.

DS is just finishing his 3rd year as a secondary teacher in a shortage subject. He loves the kids and the actual teaching but not all the crap that comes with the job, especially some pointless marking. He loves that every day is different and he is never bored.

Like almost all teachers he puts in quite a few extra hours, including some at weekends. I think he found his second year in post even more difficult than his NQT year as expectations increased.

Try to spend some time in a school or two before you apply, this might give you a better idea whether its for you and you'll actually get to see the issues that people on here have highlighted.

You will need some classroom experience to get on any teaching course, go give it a go and see how you feel you might love it or you might hate it, I volunteered for a year when my youngest started in reception and decided i loved working with children but I didn't want all the stress of teaching so now i work as a TA

I would get into the classroom more if you haven't already to see how a day feels.

I love teaching. Passion isn't enough, but it helps when the going gets tough.

I think it's important that trainees go in with their eyes open. There are lots of issues in the sector. What will make a difference is the quality of school and school leadership is like and that's not about ofsted. There are some supportive schools in special measures and some horrendous outstanding schools.

I would also recommend you look back over some of the posts on this hoard about people retraining. There are some really good replies-the question comes up a lot.

Nothing ventured... I did what you're planning to aged 38 and don't regret it. I had a baby the next year too. But it all depends on the school. They vary an enormous amount. If it won't wreck you financially and you have a lot of energy, investigate for yourself.

Just finished my PGCE (Science) and loved it! It was tough, there were days I was really struggling but it was worth it. Currently employed in one of my placement schools and starting the NQT year this September there- really looking forward to this! I have to say though that schools can really differ- for example one placement school was very anti practicals and the other was pro practicals and both schools had contrasting behaviour systems too.

Thank you all for your replies; I am reading along and digesting!

I have some experience planned already for next term in both a private and a state school, no doubt it will be very useful and will help me to make my decision. I’m still erring towards going for it; as previous posters have said nothing ventured etc... the only thing I risk to lose is in all this is my current job 😬 which I’ll have to give up in order to train, however I will gain a qualification, which is always a good thing!

It’s great to hear stories of those who have retrained and are loving it, and those who are still happy in the profession after many years. I’m not under any illusion that it’s going to be at all easy though, and I’m equally taking on board all comments about crap experiences too.

Thank you again!