Primary & Secondary School Teachers?

Question

Hi. Im interested in getting a job in teaching.

Can you answer my questions:

What qualifications will I need?

Where is the best place to work, primary or secondary + why?

What do you enjoy about your job?

What dont you like about your job?

What advice could you give to a 14 year old who is considering a job in teaching school kids?

Thanks.

Answer 1

You will need a degree - either in Education (good for primary teaching) or in your main subject followed by a one year PGCE (for secondary teaching)

I would say Primary teaching is best cos that's what I do!!! If you love young children that's the best for you but if it's more a love of your subject you have then consider teaching it at secondary level.

I love my job because I enjoy being with children and seeing them develop and learn (I teach 5 and 6 year olds)

I dislike my job for all the planning and paperwork that goes on - long term plans, mid term plans, short term plans, profiles, iep's, observations, student reports - and the list goes on!!

If you really are considering teaching then get into a school on work experience and see what you think. My daughter wanted to be a teacher and spent two weeks in a year 1 class - she loved every minute of it and that is now what she is working towards becoming!

Make sure it is what you really want because it would be a very difficult job to do if your heart wasn't in it 100%

Then go for it!!!

Answer 2

Qualifications depends on which part of the UK and whether Primary or Secondary

Secondary, you get a change of pupils every hour. In primary you are stuck with the same ones all day. Get the first primary class and you will be tying shoelaces and wiping bums all day.

Money, pension and holidays are good

Advice to a 14 year old, don't. Education is changing and not for the better

Answer 3

I am 15....and think your crazy

Don't you think that school is tiring enough now...you will be doing your GCSE's soon (i am now) and it is homework, revise, essay and other folder work for technology which i like doing but still its conflicts with everything!!!

I don't know what you see, but i see students abusing teachers, swearing, shouting at them, trying to do everything possible to spit them just for helping them to get somewhere in there misrable lives.

With the quilifacations you need to become a teacher you can get a better, more well paid job, where students don't try and kill you, or make you have a mental break down (one teacher in my school has)

But like they say, those that can do....those that can't teach.

If you find it more comfortable in school, then you stay there, but there is a better world out there then school.

Answer 4

You will need a Bachelor's degree, teaching credential, and pass the "teacher" tests (they vary from state to state).

There is no "best" place to work.  It's whatever you prefer.  

I enjoy most of the kids, the pay is good, the benefits are good, the vacation is great.

I don't enjoy the idiot parents.

The only advice is that if you live in California, move to a different state.

Answer 5

First of all, you will need a PGCE from a local college or university..............in London, check out the Institute of Education or Roehampton University.........

You will need to decide which you prefer between primary and secondary, primary is great for those who enjoy working with the younger kids, playing games, singing and dancing and drama to plan interesting and fun lessons. It is very creative and enjoyable to plan and teach in this way. Secondary is also lots of fun, and you may find it more academically stimulating for yourself as a teacher, as your knowledge will need to be extensive in order to teach your chosen subject to the seconadary pupils. In order to make this choice, I suggest that you go for work experience to a KS1, and KS 2 class, as well as KS 3 and 4, as there are big differences between KS 1 and 2, and you may find that you prefer working with Foundation to KS1 instread of KS2 or secondary.

I enjoy working in KS2 because the children are energetic and enthusiastic about their learning, and the staff that I work with are friendly, helpful and supportive and dedicated to their jobs.

I don't like the fact that we need to spend so much time and energy preparing children for SATS and other exams, when most of us think that children of all ages don't need so much testing!!

My advice would be to go for that work experience and think very carefully about which age group you would like to teach. Most importantly, enjoy your tiome with them and think about whether you would like to do this for a living when you graduate. It really is a good profession to be in, and I wish you luck

Answer 6

David has already provided a very good answer to your question and i do not wish to repeat his good advice, i went to Roehampton Institute and it has a fantastic reputation and i spent four very enjoyable years there although i graduated in 1995 i believe it is still as good if not better.

Just something else for you to consider if you are more child orientated that subject, have you thought about the early years? Teaching under 5's is highly enjoyable, that is what i do now after years in primary sector and i love it. By the time you are in the work force the ten year child care strategy will have successfully professionalised this workforce and make it a viable chioce.

One suggestion, pick a school or pre school for your work experience placement.

Good luck in your career