To Teach or not to Teach...

[Mr Jones]

Those who noticed me around this forum would know that I failed BSc Pharmacology (Year 2, Neuroscience II isn't something I could do to save my life) a couple of years ago.

I've since worked really hard and I'm on my final year of BSc Pharmaceutical Science in Hull. The degree program is heavy on the Chemistry, IMO, it's just Chemistry coupled with a few module of Physiology/Biochemistry. I've done too many years in uni and I have student debts to pay off.

After looking at the available final year projects, I am quite disappointed. It's a group project, damn uni is cutting cost due to lower funds e.t.c. (AFAIK, many uni are doing the same). Hull is reknown for it's Chemistry based degree so I am still confident with my degree and understanding.

Anyway, one of the project available actually allows me to teach science (shadowed, of course) in a local school once a week for 8 weeks.Over the past year or so, I've been taking an interest in looking at careers beyond just lab based work. The Postgrad cert. in Education (PGCE) caught my eye. With the shortage of Science (especially Chemistry, Physics and Maths) teachers out there, there is no shortage for jobs, there are also some perks like 'Golden Welcome Bonus' when I get the PGCE and become a teacher. There will be job satisfaction to teaching and aspiring younger people to learn science and also, the off term time 'holidays'.

As I've studied in a 'crappy' comprehensive secondary school (Mayfield School, Portsmouth), I know how bad schools can get. Teachers not treated with respect (flying gums, taunts and some even physical violence). This is the only thing that seems to deter me from taking the leap (along with worries that, what if education isn't my thing and I want to work in labs? I'll have a degree with no lab based projects, even though I do over 8 hours of 'independent' labs weekly since Year 2)

Do you guys understand my apprehension?
And since the project titles was released last Friday and the deadline for handing in my choice is this Friday noon, I am calling out to you forumites to talk some sense into my little dilemma.

Any teachers out there, some personal experience would help me with my decision making too!

Apologies for the long post, lots in my mind on top of workloads.

 

[Mr Jones]

Those that can't teach... teach teachers.

Ninja editing there?
I knew what you meant... I'm hoping to teach and then perhaps teach into college level as I find college science more interesting than secondary school science (limited by health & safety, level of understanding and the national curriculum).

 

[Mr Jones]

Out of interest, where did you study Pharmacology?

Portsmouth.

And I do believe I am cut out to teach (patience, able to understand and digest it into understandable info for others - do that a lot for my uni friend) but I'm sure there's more skills required, how to handle hormonal teens?

I'm really giving this a thought, been doing research now and again on what's available and attended some talks on PGCE and expectation. This project will definitely give me the edge and experience as to qualify PGCE, you'll need some work experience.

However, it's the worry that IF this isn't for me, then I'll be a level lower than all my peers with a more lab based project - but after some personal thoughts, does the project matters? If I get good grades, 2:1 and above, do science industry care if my project was on Organic Liquid Crystal Sensors, Organic Polymer, Stain Removal (Physical Chemistry)?

 

[Mr Jones]

Huh? Surely health and safety, level of understanding and the restrictions caused by the national curriculum are the same in colleges and secondary schools? A levels aren't magically different in each, are they?

Oh, and if Plymouth's anything to go by, the level of understanding will be dramatically lower in colleges!

No no, the difference between e.g. A-Level Chemistry and GCSE Science (Double or Applied) is a world of difference due to the theory involved along with the use of potential substances in an environment involving majority under 16s. You'll not find Phenol in secondary schools but in college A Level, it's an important substance even though it's toxic and corrosive compared to the very diluted acids and bases available in schools. Experiment passing COSHH for GCSE education is definitely tighter IMO.

 

[Mr Jones]

My OH is a teacher. Avoid that profession like the plague.

OH?
And why avoid it?

 

[Mr Jones]

No work experience done during your degree? Any work in a lab at all?

I tried to look for lots of placement last year, had 2 interviews - failed RB because their middle man company (Techsearch) are a bunch of muppets! and failed Novartis, made it to the final 8 and only 2 were selected

That is ridiculous! How can you be expected to trust anybody else to work on something that is likely to be the most important bit of work you've ever submitted?
If my uni had done that, i would have taken my unclassified degree and walked. It seems very unfair.

The project is done as a group BUT the marking is done individually based on your section of the project (be it the synthesis, analysis e.t.c.) and as it's a group project, there's peer review and marking, on top of 2 other supervisors.

I had an issue last year with team members in my group project on a biology module, I've since learnt that my department does group project as explained above, rather than as a group where everyone gets the same marks.

 

[Mr Jones]

I know a few teachers who recently qualified and despite there being a shortage of teachers it is extremely difficult to get a full time post as the education boards are totally strapped.

As there are some regulations as to how long you employ a supply teacher before having to offer them a job (12months iirc) the common practice at the moment is to take someone on for supply for 10/11 months then let them go and replace them later as they can't afford to employ full time staff.

Now that's interesting - now I've got to worry about being a supply teacher for life? BTW, what were these teachers teaching? I know there is a definite shortage of science teachers (it'll be hard to just jump into teaching A-Levels so I personally don't mind putting in a couple of years of hard work in secondary before going up a level.

Don't teach.

We had a thread here the other day, guy forced out of his job because of unfounded rumour/allegations.

My dad taught for 30 years, perfect record. He was accused of assaulting (physically) a yr 8 student, in front of the whole class. A sensible school would have dismissed it out of hand, due to having 20 witnesses. Instead he was suspended for over 6 months whilst it was investigated, and he never taught another lesson in his life.

It's a rubbish profession, the children have 100% complete total and utter power over the teachers, and if you upset one of them you can kiss your job goodbye. I'd rather be on the dole.

What the guy above said.

You have to be crazy to become a teacher in modern britain. One little lie by a stupid kid can ruin your life forever.

Dont do it

Tell me about it.
I came over to the UK since I was 15 (23 now). The 2 secondary years in Mayfield was dire - perhaps it's culture shock but the way teachers are treated in schools as such is just ridiculous.
In Singapore, there are students acting like muppets but the teachers still get respected - I mean, there's even an annual Teachers Day (1st September) to celebrate their contribution.
But I'm not getting into teaching for that.
I want a job that will give me job satisfaction. I feel teaching can give me that. My college years was my most fond memories in education - I went to a good college thanks to my GCSE but I know not all colleges are that good however, the students taking up any science are more than likely there because they chose it rather than pushed into it by the national curriculum - which in my opinion, don't fit everyone. Not everyone can do science, much like not everyone can do music / art.

I'm a primary school teacher currently doing supply. Job starting in January. Personally I love it however you have to put crazy hours in. My friends who are doing their NQT year are doing 12 hour days mon - fri and work for most of the weekend. If you add it up it's probably minimum wage or below.

Two things annoy me about teaching:
a) everyone has an opinion that we get too many holidays and work easy hours. The better teachers don't as we have to put the effort in.
b) Teachers (particularly secondary) are subjected to verbal and physical abuse and receive little support from this. How many banks, dentists or shops donyou walk into and there's a sign explaining that the staff will not tolerate abusive behaviour.

Totally agree with the annoyance you've pointed out.
I understand there will be a lot of out of school hours needed - I mean, how in the world can teachers mark e.g. 3 class of 20 student's work within the working hours and still prepare for the next lessons or prepare exam questions e.t.c.?

It's the second point of annoyance that is putting me off secondary school teaching - I've even seen flying donuts thrown across the corridor specifically targeting a supply teacher.

I understand there is a big difference between teaching Primary and Secondary schools? Have you any personal experience to share?

You may as well take the teaching offer during your final year for your project as that will give you an idea if it's what you want to do - you cannot teach successfully unless you are 100% committed.

That is also one of the key point why I want to do it.
If it's not for me, it's 8 weeks worth of 'lesson learnt' but it is at a price of sacrificing a lab based final year project :/