are there any teachers here?

[SKA]

Do you like your job?
what are the pros and cons...
what level do you teach?
Im thinking of going in to teaching but want to know whats its like from a teacher first!!

[Lil O'lady]

Hi Ska
I began teaching when I was 22, now I'm 50. It has provided me with an intersting, solid and relatively well-paid core job over the years, but I have dipped in and out both to have kids and to work in other jobs. If you can hack it it is an excellent job with skills that do you good in all walks of life, and with qualifiactions that don't outdate and are valid abroad.
You need energy, common sense and adaptabilty, plus a little good fortune in ending up in the place that's right for you. Lot's of people moan as in all jobs, and the media loves school-related horror stories, but the show goes on and everyone will always need teachers.

[Pesk]

Ditto to the previous answer. I started teaching when I was 22 and am now 52. I've seen lots of changes and the wheel has been reinvented but it's still a great job. It fits in well with having a family. I've 2 kids and went back to teaching each time. Teaching can be the most frustrating of jobs at times but it's also most rewarding. Musts for teaching - a good sense of humour, the ability not to take yourself too seriously and always be prepared to learn form colleagues and the children you teach. Don't be put off by your first year of teaching or any placements. Teaching gets better the more you do it. Go for it!

[helpmetoo]

i love my teaching job when i do it,
i teach the monsters english, yes i know there is no punctuation or capitals used here, in this format similar to e-mail there is no need for it,
i start most days at 09.00 and finish no later than 15.30,
i have about sixteen weeks paid holiday a year and a nice index linked pension that i shall take early due to the stress of having to get up in the morning,
go for it!
teaching, its better than a proper job!

[factor-fiction]

Hello helpmetoo. Good answer.
One query: you say you finish at 3.30- but surely you have hours of marking and preparation to do at home in the evenings and at weekends.
Incidentally, as well as the errors you pointed out early on, you omitted two apostrophes in your last paragraph. As a teacher, if you feel punctuation isn't necessary in this form of communication I was wondering when you feel punctuation is necessary?

[lynbrown]

Teaching isn't a job - it's a vocation and only for those truly dedicated people. If you end up in a poor area, expect to fight a battle every day. I wouldnt recommend it.

[aviator]

I'm a primary school teacher in my NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) year and i love it. I honestly can't imagine doing anything else and even though there are tough days and you can feel completely worn down the good days totally outshine them! I totally recommend it!
I did pretty much what you are considering and it's the best thing i have ever done! The more experienced teachers who have posted here are right, its frustrating but rewarding, you need energy, a sense of humour and the ability to take a lot of crap on the chin! There is a lot of work, not only in school but out of school as well, but you have to learn to work smart (i've learned how from very good mentors!) and use the people and resources available to you! You do need the holidays to recharge.
It doesn't matter if you work in a 'poor' area, just do it!

[SKA]

thanks for your replies I will prob go in to it in a few years when I'm bored of working in hospitals!!