Secondary Thinking about becoming a teacher

[Deliverance]

Anyone done any teaching over in the UK? I'm heading over to do so in March and was just wondering if anyone had any tips or stories?

Cheers

Be prepared to work much harder and be more scrutinised than in Australia. Depending on what you teach it may be hard to find a job also. Get ready to be bent over by agencies if you don't get a job directly with the school. Scum of the earth they are, ripping millions out of the education system and skimming massive amounts off your pay. Avoid the umbrella companies too, technically illegal and don't actually make you any better off. Just another company taking their share. Students aren't any better or worse than in Australia. Even if you don't like the work, holidays come around every 5-8 weeks, the US is only 8 hours away and Europe is just a train trip away.

 

[TyroneVickery29]

Be prepared to work much harder and be more scrutinised than in Australia. Depending on what you teach it may be hard to find a job also. Get ready to be bent over by agencies if you don't get a job directly with the school. Scum of the earth they are, ripping millions out of the education system and skimming massive amounts off your pay. Avoid the umbrella companies too, technically illegal and don't actually make you any better off. Just another company taking their share. Students aren't any better or worse than in Australia. Even if you don't like the work, holidays come around every 5-8 weeks, the US is only 8 hours away and Europe is just a train trip away.

Reckon it is possible to go over and teach without going through an agency

 

[Deliverance]

Reckon it is possible to go over and teach without going through an agency

Yep, it is, but really depends on what you're teaching as to what your chances are.

 

[TyroneVickery29]

Yep, it is, but really depends on what you're teaching as to what your chances are.

PE and Health

 

[Hudu Gurusingha]

Yep, that's definitely what I do. Got me there, super smart school teacher.

That'd be right, blame all your shortcomings on everyone else.

The age of entitlement.

Get back to work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deliverance]

PE and Health

That's the hardest area to find work in unfortunately. Health is not a specialist are in England like it is in Aus. PE is tough because you are competing against an oversupply locals who have mandatory trampolining quals and extensive dance and gymnastics experience. Best of luck, but don't expect an easy ride unless you have contacts.

 

[TyroneVickery29]

That's the hardest area to find work in unfortunately. Health is not a specialist are in England like it is in Aus. PE is tough because you are competing against an oversupply locals who have mandatory trampolining quals and extensive dance and gymnastics experience. Best of luck, but don't expect an easy ride unless you have contacts.

Maybe times have changed, as a l have plenty of friends who have gone over with the same qualifications that I have and walked straight into work

 

[Deliverance]

Maybe times have changed, as a l have plenty of friends who have gone over with the same qualifications that I have and walked straight into work

No doubt, that still happens.

 

[Hudu Gurusingha]

Loving my career change so far. Teaching maths and I love it. Didn't think I would, but its great. At a challenging school with a very high indigenous population and a lot of behavioral problems but being a male a lot of the kids are coming from f***ed up families and appreciate having a male role model.

 

[Catgirl]

Need some solid guidance.

I'm in Year 12 and have had paid experience tutoring at my school's regular Thursday study sessions. I'm generally the go-to person for all things English, and have a plethora of achievements in that regard. My teacher suggested this would translate well to a short-term career in tuition.

I have two students (a girl aged 13 and a boy aged 8) who I will commence teaching within the next 2 weeks. The girl is seeking general improvement with her reading and analysis skills, while the boy is in need of assistance in all facets of English - spelling, reading, vocabulary expansion et al.

I'm familiar with teaching students of a high school age, and have no doubt that I can absolve the English debacles of these two young ones.... but given their inexperience I'm not sure where to start with their respective first lessons.

I plan to address the issues at hand and track their progress regularly. I'm just not quite sure where I should start

 

[bresker]

With the 8 year old you'll have to find something he doesn't find too difficult to read but at the same time challenges him. Most schools send home readers. Actually, the best thing would be to talk to his classroom teacher rather than post here as she should be much more aware of his needs than us. Patience and small steps.

 

[superfraser]

Definitely get to "know" your students. But that's less about their interests (although that's also useful) but more about their knowing their ability.

You could have a look at educational standards to see what level these kids SHOULD be at, which will give you an idea of where to take them.

 

[hufus]

A mate of mine has been on and off in Arnhem land for a few years, and loves it - but he also said it's definitely not for everyone. He told me if I was thinking of doing it to head up for a visit first, but it's not in my plans really.

 

[Jack Richards]

Taken on the role of being the AEU rep at my school..

All I can say is wow..

 

[superfraser]

Taken on the role of being the AEU rep at my school..

All I can say is wow..

Would love to hear your insights.

 

[Jack Richards]

Would love to hear your insights.

In what way?

 

[raskolnikov]

Hi.

First post, but it's why I made this account.

Has anyone taught in a remote community?

Are there any pros or cons from your experience?

Yep . Taught in remote communities in the NT for a couple of years.

Pros. Good pay with subsidised housing so great savings opportunity. I saved enough for a decent deposit on a house in two years. Good cultural experience and on the whole I found the kids great. You can really develop your teaching skills teaching in a remote community.

Cons. Isolation. Depending where you are. One community I was at was only a couple of hours drive from Alice Springs so I drove in most weekends and spent my weekend there. Alice is a great little town. In Arnhem Land we were basically locked in and only got out during school holidays. It was quite isolating and weekends, if you aren't an outdoors person, can be very boring. I spent most of my weekends doing housework, reading and watching tv. There are various challenges if you are in an indigenous community. I recommend going to a dry community as there are less issues.

Overall I liked it and would do it again. Definitely worth the experience.

 

[raskolnikov]

Thank you.

I've just accepted a position in the NT, on an island with a population of less than 200.

I have a mechanical engineering degree, and did that for a while, and then did a teaching and science double degree.
But I haven't really taught before.

No idea what I'm walking in to.
I assume I won't have mobile reception or Internet. But what about electricity and water? Toilets shower etc.

I don't mind roughing it at all in every day life. But as a professional, I'd have a hard time being unshaven and stinking.

Excuse my total ignorance about this all. I'm not a complete idiot... well, not all the time!

You'll be fine. Accommodation is good with all the things in the house you would expect anywhere else. You just won't have the facilities outside the house. I would suggest taking a supply of your favourite foods. The local store can be quite limited. The school will have internet for things like e-mail and banking. I think some people did have home Internet but I never bothered. We had a home phone but you probably won't get any mobile service. If you like reading I would suggest taking a few books to start with. The school also usually has some and you can borrow/swap with other teachers. The house will probably have a DVD player. I purchased a whole series at the start of every term to work my way through.

I was there ten years ago so things would have changed a bit but probably not that much. Let us know how you are getting on. In some ways I am envious. I teach in a school of 1,500 students and would often like the relative peace and quiet of a remote school.

 

[superfraser]

In what way?

You could share what it is that has wowed you.

Is it conflict? Contracts? The legal side? Something I'm unable to predict.

 

[raskolnikov]

On the topic of the union, fees are getting ridiculous. Almost 700 per year. For IMO not a whole lot. The union then plays on the fear of there being some minute chance that you might need legal assistance in order to retain members. Seriously thinking of dropping my membership next year.

 

[Big Cox 88]

On the topic of the union, fees are getting ridiculous. Almost 700 per year. For IMO not a whole lot. The union then plays on the fear of there being some minute chance that you might need legal assistance in order to retain members. Seriously thinking of dropping my membership next year.

They are thieves. The whole line of all it takes is one student to file a complaint.

 

[Jack Richards]

You could share what it is that has wowed you.

Is it conflict? Contracts? The legal side? Something I'm unable to predict.

It's more about knowing your rights and being aware of how many hours of meetings and plannning your entitled to.

As the new AEU rep I was also surprised at how other staff members are expecting you to go in an take the metaphorical bullet and question things without support. I tell them that unless they are prepared to go in and raise the questions (with me as support) I am not going to do it because that puts me in the firing line. If staff have concerns, I give them the number to contact and give them the support they need. They quickly get annoyed and dont bother continuing with the issues.

 

[superfraser]

It's more about knowing your rights and being aware of how many hours of meetings and plannning your entitled to.

As the new AEU rep I was also surprised at how other staff members are expecting you to go in an take the metaphorical bullet and question things without support. I tell them that unless they are prepared to go in and raise the questions (with me as support) I am not going to do it because that puts me in the firing line. If staff have concerns, I give them the number to contact and give them the support they need. They quickly get annoyed and dont bother continuing with the issues.

Thanks for the elaboration.

I've worked as the Daily Org and Timetabler in the past, so I know all about working hours.

 

[Cuzdup]

Seriously thinking of a career change into secondary teaching. Im 34yo male, pretty cruisy guy with career in mining and carpentry. I have 4 sons and a wife who is just about to re-enter the work force as a police officer which gives me the opportunity for a career change.

Im considering becoming either a PE teacher or a Science teacher though im not sure if the later requires extra study? What is the demand for PE or science teachers within WA?

 

[wadistance]

Seriously thinking of a career change into secondary teaching. Im 34yo male, pretty cruisy guy with career in mining and carpentry. I have 4 sons and a wife who is just about to re-enter the work force as a police officer which gives me the opportunity for a career change.

Im considering becoming either a PE teacher or a Science teacher though im not sure if the later requires extra study? What is the demand for PE or science teachers within WA?

Why not teach carpentry ... I.e TAS?