thinking of becoming a teacher

[angelfire]

I am currently in the civil service - have a related degree which I am currently using

I have decided to try and become a maths teacher and am now 2 modules into an OU maths degree

I am some years of qualifying but I need to know if I am completely bonkers or not

So, if there are any teachers out there

1. Would you recommend it?
2. How easy is it to get a job
3. I will be in my mid 40's by the time I qualify - is this leaving it too late
4. Is there anything to do to improve my prospects?

Thanks

Have you been into a school and shadowed a teacher for a few days or a week? that would be more worthwhile for you than anyone elses views, and you could chat to all the teachers with your questions whilst you were there. I recently did thus and found it very helpful.

This... Not thus. I am not that posh

1. Would you recommend it? - normally yes, absolutely and without question. Recently - no: I would tell you to run screaming in the other direction immediately and not to look back until Hell had frozen over. Ignore me though!

1. How easy is it to get a job - Maths teacher so shouldn't be an issue

1. I will be in my mid 40's by the time I qualify - is this leaving it too late - it depends how old your children are and how much you mind bringing lots and lots and lots and lots of work home with you.

1. Is there anything to do to improve my prospects?

Yes - do what Lukewarm suggests. Get yourself into several different types of schools and shadow a) a maths teacher b) a cover supervisor c) a behaviour manager and d) an NQT if at all possible.

Good luck. Teaching is a great job - most of the time!

Which age group?

I was a teacher for 10 years and for much of that time I did enjoy it. I taught secondary - ICT and business. It can be very very rewarding, but it can also be very very tough too.

A friend of mine has just qualified as a secondary vocational studies teacher - today infact. She now needs to complete an NVQ year, but has not yet been able to secure a job - very few posts for her area locally at present. She already had a releveant degree so has spent the last year ding a PGCE. She has an 8y and a 2y, and she has just turned 3y herself. It has required a lot of hard work on her part, and a lot of support re childcare too. But I think she has enjoyed it for the main, but I know the workload has been pretty high, esp when juggling a family as well.

How easy it is to get a job depends on the demand for your subject, at your level, in your area. have a look at the TES website and do a search for relevent positions to give you an idea. The jobs currently be adverised will mainly be for NQT jobs as teachers in existing jobs have missed the notice period for a September start now. There is supply to consier too, although you can only do that for a certain period of time before you have passed your NVQ year - and supply doesn't count towards that.

In terms of improving your prospects - as much practical classroom experience as you can get. You will need this both to get on a course in the first place, and also for when applying for jobs afterwards.