Changing Career? IT to teaching...

I am currently in my late 30's with 2 young children working fulltime in IT in private sector. Not unhappy by any means - but in the last 5 or 6 years, my position has not excited me as it once did and although my position seems secure - nothing is forever these days. With kids also, I am really pushing to have the ideal work/life balance. I have always been interested in teaching and wonder how would i go about it now? More interested in primary school teaching to be honest - but am sure there are all sorts of opportunities for assistant teachers, specialised teachers etc. etc. But I really have no idea where to get the information of what I could do and how I go about it. I have an hons. degree in IT and numerous other qualifications and do realise that it will mean a fall in salary to change - but I have no idea how to go about it and what other options I could pursue. I really don't see myself in IT until I retire..... thanks for suggestions!

Teaching positions will be hard to get especially with the large numbers coming out of the colleges. If the McCarthy report is implemented even partially a lot of the smaller schools will close meaning more teachers having to be redeployed.

Assistant teachers/specialist teachers are usually from the same B.Ed pot .... only placed within that job in their school. Resource and Learning Support teachers often end up back in the classroom after a few years. You often get this rotation on a regular basis.

Special Needs Assistant will always be needed but will not be appointed as they were initially.

The set up, initially, was SNA allocated to a specific child (talking mainstream here not special schools) but the move has been towards full school cover appointments where SNAs cover a number of childrten.

If you're set on teaching I'd look at the Hibernia College online course ... as it will allow you flexibilty with your job. You'll have to do teaching practice so you'd have to factor this in.

IT is a great skill and I love dabbling with it. IT is still in its infancy in Primary Schools but more and more schools are embracing it and interactive whiteboards will become the norm than the exception. The blackboard's days are numbered. A person with an IT background joing a staff would be like winning the lotto. You're knowledge would be a great asset to any school.

Check out Hibernian here for more info:

http://www.hiberniacollege.net/

(No affiliation)

I am not a teacher, but I am friends with loads of teachers. Here is what I see and hear. Three people I know successfully changed course by doing this part time course with Hibernia. One said it was easy, two said it was hard. (Personally I think studying while working is always going to be hard).



I believe primary school teachers are suffering as much as anybody in the public sector at the moment, in terms of pay cuts. But it is important to realise that although things are bad now, they may have begun to have got better by the time you graduate from your course. I will finish by saying that it I for one think it is probably for the best to get this qualification while you are working in IT and then change job career after that if the opportunity arises. Good luck.

I think you have missed the boat by a few years.

Buddyg said:

I think you have missed the boat by a few years.

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Why? - Is there age discrimination in schools?
I remember some of my teachers must have been in their sixties. This would give ANA14 maybe 30 years teaching.

There is a recruitment embargo and that won't be lifted any time soon. I OP will be competing with the large buildup of younger graduates who would be seen as more attractive to employers, easier to control.

I'd recommend dipping my toes in the water by offering to teach some evening classes in a local school if possible. You could research a part of a running course for example which may not take too much time/effort to prepare. After a few of those you might get a better idea of teaching and also build up some experience in delivering content. Only thing to bear in mind is that the participants want to be there which may not be the same in school.

I wouldnt say that you have missed the boat on this one, its just a move that would be a longer haul but if its what you really want and you can find a way to manage your own circumstances then why not have a go and not regret it.

I think your first move is to check that you meet the irish grade requirements, if you dont then you really have a long haul in repeating hons LC irish or doing a uni dip in irish part time.
If you have the irish then you probably need to take a weeks hols from work and get some work experience in a school and see if your impression of the job meets reality. You should be looking at this move for more reasons that just your perception that it would improve you work life balance, as teaching is a tough job and not getting any easier.
Assuming you want to pursue an application then for the postgrad Hibernia is probably your best option.

Of course the job situation is competitive, as it is in all industries but you have a right to compet and bring what you can to your application just like any new undergrad coming out of college.

hi all, thanks for all the advice. I will actively pursue in the new year to determine if it is for me. I have actually a few years under my belt of tutoring (in IT) and leading night classes in a different field completely. I have always really enjoyed it. However, I do take on board the major change that this would entail and don't mean to be blase about the work/life balance being sorted with a teaching position. I do have some understanding of the pressures but wanted to keep the post direct and to the point. thanks again......

why not ask to observe in a school for a day or two? Tutoring is very different to teacher primary school children. Don't just be interested in teaching for the work/life balance as it's a very tough job that needs a alot of work and preparation so you won't get all the free time that you think you might, especially with all the extra duties after hours teachers are expected to do (tours, confirmations, sports days etc). Also, so many job cuts in that sector at the moment that you may end up without a job.

supply of teachers is higher than demand at the moment and newly qualified teachers usually spend a few years on short term contracts or subbing before getting a permanent full time position.

Unfortunately the number of places on the post graduate conversion courses have been slashed this year according to the Indo of a few days ago. Be very sure that your motivation for teaching is driven by things other than a good work-life balance.