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Original poster

voluntarily leaving my job

6 replies

angelfire · 13/01/2013 07:51

I have a secure, well paid and local job in a field that I graduated in. The current job market for this field is dire.
I am mid 40's.
About 4 years ago I started a degree in maths with the OU and have been thinking about becoming a teacher (secondary maths). I have been into a local school for a few days, have been helping out at my DS' primary school and have also done a bit of tutoring.
I have been offered a package to leave my current job. The monies would last me until I finished my degree.
Would I be totally and utterly mad to go for it? I was on the TES website yesterday and one poster said that the shortage of maths teachers was a myth and there were loads of teachers for each job vacancy.
I am really confused.....and frightened
Thanks for any replies

OP posts:

tribpot · 13/01/2013 07:56

How long do you have to go on your degree? Was teaching what you intended to do with the degree? How serious are you about moving into teaching? Are you the main breadwinner in your family? How unhappy are you in your current job?

Sorry - lots of questions but your post reads a bit as if you've maybe had this an idea quite recently. I'm all for finding ways to follow your dreams but you would need to be committed to it!

mrsL1984 · 13/01/2013 08:11

My friends a teacher and can't find a full time job! Can only get supply work

youcantwearthatmum · 13/01/2013 08:15

Just be absolutely certain that you do want to teach before you give up your job. The drop out rate for newly qualified teachers is huge. I suggest you spend more time in a few different schools and make sure you see classes of all abilities. Being a secondary teacher is no picnic, though it can be very rewarding. Should come clean though. I am a secondary teacher of 25 years and am attempting to escape from it before Mr Gove's reforms come in.

BranchingOut · 13/01/2013 17:13

The offer of redundancy would seem to be quite a good opportunity if you are going to make a change, but I think you need to explore more thoroughly what teaching would entail.

It is quite difficult to get an accurate impression of what the job entails just by observing in a school - as you are effectively just seeing the performance, the swan; not the frantically paddling feet.

I did work experience in schools, worked as a TA for two terms and did my PGCE, but still that didn't really convey what the job would really mean on a day-in-day-out basis.

In-depth conversations with one or more teachers is probably the best way to get a real picture of what you are looking at.

If you do observe in the classroom, ask if you can observe from a front-side position rather than the back. Depending on how the pupils are seated you will probably get a much better idea of the dynamic by seeing their faces and also see all the ways in which the teacher is managing their learning and the classroom environment.

MagratGarlik · 13/01/2013 19:22

I made this move recently and voluntarily gave up my £45k salary and permanent, stable contract to move into teaching. Only a couple of years younger than you. I don't regret it, but, I am not the main bread-winner in our family so it wasn't going to financially cripple us. However, the drop in salary is huge as is the requirement to swallow lots of pride as you will certainly be answerable to people significantly younger than you.

It is not an easy choice, but can be the right one depending on your situation.

Original poster

angelfire · 13/01/2013 19:27

Thank you so very much for all the replies.
To fill in some details I have been thinking about being a teacher for 3 years and have been going into schools since Sep last year. I am into the 2nd half of my 2nd year so (if continuing at my current pace and working as well) will graduate in summer 2015.
I guess I saw the VR as a way of speeding me through the last part of the degree but I think you have all really really good points and I think I would feel a lot happier if I did a bit more preparation before making the jump. And I do feel as though it is a jump pushed by the VR.
I have thought of little else since the VR came out and to be honest it was all getting a bit too much and I felt under a lot of pressure. Perhaps I was unconsciously thinking it was too soon and your comments have made it clear that is right.
Thank you for taking the time to reply - it is very very appreciated

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