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Work

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Original poster

talk to me about being a classroom assistant..........

14 replies

Lucycat · 09/07/2007 13:48

I am a qualified teacher but not sure whether I want to leap back into actual teaching after a > 7 year break.

I've seen a job as a classroom assistant in a secondary school, 15 hours a week working 'with a specific role in intervention activities' - seriously crap pay but I might enjoy it - oh and in a tough school which I've done before.

Do you think the 15 hours is going to be spread over the 5 days? they couldn't tell me over the phone!

am I going to be bored senseless? irritated by not being 'the teacher'?

am i mad?

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Original poster

Lucycat · 09/07/2007 13:57

ahem I'm trying to write my blurb about how fantastic I am at the moment..

opinions needed please!

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tassis · 09/07/2007 13:58

I'm a teacher on a break and it'd do my head in!

Imagine if the teacher's not great, or you think you could do it better, or the classroom management's poor, or the kids don't give you respect...

you could probably work one day as a teacher for more pay

7 years isn't long! Why not try supply and then if you don't like if you can walk away!

tassis · 09/07/2007 13:59

(just an opinion! you might love it!)

Original poster

Lucycat · 09/07/2007 14:02

mmm I had thought of that, but the thought of not having anything to do when i finish the day and not being held ultimately responsible for a whole class is in some way appealing..........

maybe I'm just lacking in confidence a bit and the fact that this is just for 2 terms (so I'd get the summer term off } is playing a part too.

I've just typed out all the stuff I did when teaching full time and I do sound horribly overqualified.

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Original poster

Lucycat · 09/07/2007 14:03

thanks for your thoughts tassis - I need someone to bounce this off - dh is a teacher as so is useless at being objective!

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Original poster

Lucycat · 09/07/2007 14:52

anybody else?

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scienceteacher · 09/07/2007 14:56

I couldn't do it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they took advantage of you as a qualified teacher (ie leave you on your own in the classroom).

Maybe a cover supervisor would be something you could do? You'd at least get good experience if you did decide to return to teaching.

yellowvan · 09/07/2007 14:57

God, no don't do it! You will be REALLY irritated. They will give you classes to cover and expect you to teach like a teacher on a teachers wage but for reduced pay. They will give you the tough sets cos "you can hanle it". Do supply instead, nice and flexible ( some choice in which schools you go to) and can be a gentle way in. Use DH's contacts, write to local schools. Good luck!

ebenezer · 09/07/2007 15:23

No way! I think you'd find the lack of decent pay and lack of responsibility would get you down pretty quickly. I'd hesitate about supply teaching too - imo it can be a thankless task, yeah, you get better money, but many supply teachers find the behaviour management side very difficult because you never get to build up a relationship with classes. I've known a few qualified teachers go back in at teaching assistant level - and you've hit the nail on the head that lack of confidence is the key factor.After a few years at home, mothers can seriously doubt their ability to go back into their previous job. But I bet a lot of that lack of cinfidence is misplaced. You'd most likely be fine if you went back into teaching - why not try P/T if you want a gentle way in?

scienceteacher · 09/07/2007 16:18

I returned to teaching via the supply route. It took me two years of supply at two schools, and a few short term contracts to land a permanent job in an independent school.

The best kind of supply work is to be directly employed by the school, so that you get to know the systems and the kids. It really makes the experience a lot more realistic. It's really good to get experience of different schools and different subjects.

The downside of supply is that the work isn't guaranteed. Many schools nowadays like to have their own cover supervisors, and only call you in where there are lots of staff absenses. Saying that, I always managed to work the amount I wanted (roughly 3 days per week). If you are a good supply teacher, you will be the first they call.

Original poster

Lucycat · 09/07/2007 17:39

Thanks everybody for your input -I really do appreciate it.
The trouble that I'm coming across is finding part time work! I could go into dh's school and do supply (where he is the big bad HoD!) and that would be fine - i suppose it was knowing that you have a regular job to go to, where you are working with the same kids every week, that was appealing - oh and the no hassle at home!

I know what you mean about being taken advantage of though _ I can see that happening.

I would be a fairly useful supply teacher though as I've taught Geog to A level, history to GCSE and RE at KS3 - I was also Head of PSHE so all the citizenship stuff is a doddle.

perhaps I'll leave it until Sept, get dd2 settled at school and look again.

You don't know anyone in the Manchester area with a 2 day a week Geog teacher job going do you?

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jellyjelly · 10/07/2007 18:42

I am a teaching assistant in a school and i love it. I think i do love it so much because i am always moving around. I do get alot of respect from the majority of the children about 95% but then the 5% are from the very very difficult ones that are a challenge to everyone.

Have you thought about going to an agency and askign for a ta position to see how it is. Istarted one about 4 months ago for 2 days and havent left.

hana · 10/07/2007 18:58

no, I"m a teacher as well and I woulnd't do it for all the reasons already listed

try out supply as a way back in, you can pick and choose yourself. schools often go with the LEA bank of supply teachers, so might be worthwhile calling up your local LEA and see if you can get on their books

good luck! rates of pay so much better as well, and I'd think you'd be working as a teacher when you were there, even if in your head.

Whizzz · 10/07/2007 19:05

Lucycat - I'm a TA in a secondary school after a career swap & I love the work. AT a guess I'd say 'a specific role in intervention activities' means taking out small groups for literacy, social skills etc & your teaching skills would be used to a degree. I think you would know if not being in charge would bug you - I went from a job where I was in charge to this & I must say, its not bothered me. Some teachers are better than others at liasing with the TA & using their skills though.

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