Having gained my Degree via the Open University I now find myself with another decision to make. Should I train as a teacher?
I have toyed with the idea for years now and had decided against it for various reasons which I have listed below. However, now that I have got a First I rather think it would be a waste to do nothing with it. I have worked in a Primary school for 9 years now and am an experienced Teaching Assistant. I also teach twice a week. Lots of people have told me that I ought to go into teaching and that they thought I would be good at it ...but ... I don't know if I should or could do it. There are obstacles in my way, reasons not to do it.
Reasons Against
I have toyed with the idea for years now and had decided against it for various reasons which I have listed below. However, now that I have got a First I rather think it would be a waste to do nothing with it. I have worked in a Primary school for 9 years now and am an experienced Teaching Assistant. I also teach twice a week. Lots of people have told me that I ought to go into teaching and that they thought I would be good at it ...but ... I don't know if I should or could do it. There are obstacles in my way, reasons not to do it.
Reasons Against
- I don't have good enough maths or Science O levels so would have to get a tutor, study & retake those GCSEs.
- It would mean working full time for a year of my study & possibly for a year as NQT ( newly qualified teacher). This would make family life difficult & would mean I couldn't support my children as much as if I was working part time.
- Would I be able to work part time when I qualified?
- I would be 52 before I qualified.
- Teaching involves a huge amount of planning, preparation, time.
- I don't need the pressure, stress or money.
- I don't think I would be good enough.
- I like my life at the moment and I like spending time with my family.
Reasons For
- I enjoy teaching.
- I would like to feel I had achieved a proper career in my life.
- It would be a good use of my degree.
- It would be a source of income that I could access forever - supply, tutoring.
- If I was left without my husband in the future I would have a reliable income ( sorry to be morbid, but its a thought)
- I can't see me being a T.A for the rest of my life.
- I don't know what else to do as a job.
So ... that's my dilemma. What do you think? The GCSE thing is a massive obstacle and a pain in the neck and delays everything by a year. I know I can teach but do I really want to do it full time? I just don't know what to do. My friend suggested doing my maths first, as it would be useful/interesting to do, and then reconsidering.
I don't know ... I would be grateful for your input!!
