Anyone here doing teacher training?
- Thread starter Diagro
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Soldato
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Me neither
Man of Honour
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I did assistant teacher training at College but left the job.
Did a CELTA years ago, currently in charge of curriculum at an international school.
Need to do an MA at some point.
Teaching will make you sad, happy, depressed, angry, stressed and proud.
Admin will make you pull your hair out, as will snotty kids and stubborn staff.
Enjoy it; it's worth it
Need to do an MA at some point.
Teaching will make you sad, happy, depressed, angry, stressed and proud.
Admin will make you pull your hair out, as will snotty kids and stubborn staff.
Enjoy it; it's worth it
Associate
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PGCE I assume? It is not for the feint of heart. Nine months of hell is an understatement. 
But... good luck!
I just finished my NQT year when school broke up. Anything in particular you want to know?
But... good luck!
I just finished my NQT year when school broke up. Anything in particular you want to know?
PGCE I assume? It is not for the feint of heart. Nine months of hell is an understatement.
But... good luck!
I just finished my NQT year when school broke up. Anything in particular you want to know?
Yup, PGCE School Direct
I'm seeing all the work that's to come. It looks like I'm going to struggle. But I think I'm strong enough!
Many people do fail, it's supposedly much like this:
An entire honors degree worth of work plus a little more, required to be done at a master level all done within 10 months.
Haha
Couldn't think of much worse, salary is pretty naff for what's involved and the respect just isn't there at most low-mid level schools.
I applaud those who do it, especially those who do all they can to help the students achieve their best grades.
I applaud those who do it, especially those who do all they can to help the students achieve their best grades.
Its not that bad to be honest. Keep organised, keep up with your paperwork and make sure you get on well with your mentors. Be prepared to accept lots of criticism and learn from it. The NQT year is possibly more difficult as you get less frees and if you fail you can't teach.
My wife is a teacher. For what it's worth it does get easier.
She's been teaching for about 10 years now, the earlier years are tough as they need to do all of your planning, marking etc... whilst doing your best to climb the ladder.
She's now able to use lessons she's already planned with minimal tweaking, she does no work outside of her time in the school (typically 7am-5pm) so the weekends and school holidays are hers completely. She still gets incredibly stressed about the work.
FWIW she's taught in both a bad school (in terms of results, management and area) and an outstanding school and she says they are equally as hard but in different ways.
She's been teaching for about 10 years now, the earlier years are tough as they need to do all of your planning, marking etc... whilst doing your best to climb the ladder.
She's now able to use lessons she's already planned with minimal tweaking, she does no work outside of her time in the school (typically 7am-5pm) so the weekends and school holidays are hers completely. She still gets incredibly stressed about the work.
FWIW she's taught in both a bad school (in terms of results, management and area) and an outstanding school and she says they are equally as hard but in different ways.
Associate
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Although more challenging, the NQT year is a far better challenge than the PGCE one. You don't have somebody watching your every move in the classroom and have to plan out every single lesson in minute detail. You simply don't have time for it. So look forward to that rather than fear it.
As many have said. Be prepared for criticism. You'll spend 9 hours preparing for 1 lesson and have it torn to shreds by both the kids and the teachers. Just chin up and move onto the next one, it'll be better.
As many have said. Be prepared for criticism. You'll spend 9 hours preparing for 1 lesson and have it torn to shreds by both the kids and the teachers. Just chin up and move onto the next one, it'll be better.
Soldato
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Did it a few years back, was very difficult, but my university partnered PGCE students so that they worked in the same school. Made it a lot more easier as we started by teaching as a pair and slowly took classes on our own. The trainee I was paired with had a similar educational background to me and we got on really well.
The actual teaching was pretty minimal, I did two placements and had at most 3 classes to teach on my own, but made up for it by having to do absurd amounts of paper work. I'm talking detailed lesson plans, notes and evaluations for every lesson, amongst many other things we had to accumulate to show that we had met the various teaching standards. We also had to complete five written assignments throughout the year.
All in all it was difficult, behaviour was atrocious in the second school and at times I was seriously considering quitting, but just went with it in the end. Sometimes you'll get seriously annoyed with poor behaviour especially when you know your success depends on how well these kids are behaving (and hence learning), but getting annoyed is the worst thing you can do. Just stay calm, stick to your guns and wait for them to fall in line, even if it means half the lesson goes to waste. Once they realise that they can't get a reaction out of you and get bored of messing around, they will simply start doing the work. There will of course be the odd kid who never tires of being and absolute tit, but dealing with these individually is a lot easier (assuming your school pastoral system actually works).
Other than that, the best form of behaviour management is good lesson material, planning and delivery. You have to show them that you are confident and know your stuff. They feed off any sign of uncertainty and nervousness.
My NQT year wasn't a whole let better, even more difficult in some ways, but you just have to plough through it. It definitely gets better each year as you become more established and respected, but that is probably the same for any job really. Also not every school will suit your particular character and skill set. I currently work in a grammar school and really enjoy it there, but I know that's not the case for everyone.
The actual teaching was pretty minimal, I did two placements and had at most 3 classes to teach on my own, but made up for it by having to do absurd amounts of paper work. I'm talking detailed lesson plans, notes and evaluations for every lesson, amongst many other things we had to accumulate to show that we had met the various teaching standards. We also had to complete five written assignments throughout the year.
All in all it was difficult, behaviour was atrocious in the second school and at times I was seriously considering quitting, but just went with it in the end. Sometimes you'll get seriously annoyed with poor behaviour especially when you know your success depends on how well these kids are behaving (and hence learning), but getting annoyed is the worst thing you can do. Just stay calm, stick to your guns and wait for them to fall in line, even if it means half the lesson goes to waste. Once they realise that they can't get a reaction out of you and get bored of messing around, they will simply start doing the work. There will of course be the odd kid who never tires of being and absolute tit, but dealing with these individually is a lot easier (assuming your school pastoral system actually works).
Other than that, the best form of behaviour management is good lesson material, planning and delivery. You have to show them that you are confident and know your stuff. They feed off any sign of uncertainty and nervousness.
My NQT year wasn't a whole let better, even more difficult in some ways, but you just have to plough through it. It definitely gets better each year as you become more established and respected, but that is probably the same for any job really. Also not every school will suit your particular character and skill set. I currently work in a grammar school and really enjoy it there, but I know that's not the case for everyone.
Working in a school IT department, I can honestly say I wouldn't wish teaching on my worst nightmare.
All the current teachers are telling me how it's gone downhill over the years and that it's not worth it. The money isn't great, there's little scope for progression in most schools and there's no job satisfaction these days!
All the current teachers are telling me how it's gone downhill over the years and that it's not worth it. The money isn't great, there's little scope for progression in most schools and there's no job satisfaction these days!
I used to work as an IT Technician. Just finished.
Only 9 months of hell!!! There's a reason over 40% of teachers quit before 12months are up. Unless you are very lucky its a crazy job to get into and the hell will be a lot longer then 9 months. Since schools have been privatised they are not a nice place to work for most.
Lol. Our year made 2 students break down in tears and leave and a permanent have a nervous breakdown - probably not our finest achievement as kids!
I'm sure you must feel proud about that. ...
I won't be taking any crap, that's for sure lol. I'm working on behaviour manipulation to use in the class room. Hopefully it will work. If not I will go cry in the office with the rest of the teachers.
Deleted member 66701
Deleted member 66701
I'm doing a pgce (FE) in September 2017 after I graduate - I'd be interested in your experiences this year.
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