3 ms·

I'm a high school student, who is considering teaching as a future career path, and I have a few questions. 1. What subjects do you teach? Would you recommend

I'm a high school student, who is considering teaching as a future career path, and I have a few questions. 1. What subjects do you teach? Would you recommend teaching them? 2. Did you find any value in working at a non teaching job first, then going into the teaching career? Put another way, if you were doing this all over again, would you go straight to being a teacher, or would you have a non-teaching job for a little while, and then teach? Thanks.

ux-app 14y ago
Hi Neil. 1. I teach Computing/IT and a few AU specific subjects (Research Project and Personal Learning Plan). In the past I have taught Maths up to year 8 level also. Both IT and Maths are great subjects. Personally I'm very happy teaching either of them. One thing to note is that as a teacher you do have to be willing to take on a subject you may not be entirely qualified for. For example I'm currently teaching a year 8 media studies course without having any media training. It's really all about having an open mind. 2. Having worked outside of teaching first, even though it was only for 3 years, was invaluable. Career teachers who have only ever taught are a strange bunch. They have a totally distorted picture of reality. They don't realise that in the "real world" people: a) have line managers, b) have to keep time sheets which require that literally every hour of time is billed to a client, c) have a boss working across from you or continuously looking over your shoulder, d) have only 4 weeks of paid vacation, e) have a requirement to justify every sick day and produce a doctor's certificate for each absence etc. f) The list goes on and on. So in answer to your question: Having a "real" job outside of teaching has been the single best thing I ever did for my "career". It means that even after almost 10 years of teaching I still appreciate all of the great things this job has to offer. Having said that, teaching is not for everyone. It isn't rocket surgery, but not everyone has what it takes. You have to really love the act of teaching, as well as liking being around kids most of the time. I'm glad you're considering teaching as a career. I hope, whatever path you choose, things work out in your favour. If you have any further questions then I'm happy to pass on my email address. All the best.
- neilparikh 14y ago
  Hey, thanks for answering my questions. I appreciate the help. I do have a few other questions. Could I get your email? If you don't want to post it here, my email is in my profile.

ux-app 14y ago

Hi Neil. 1. I teach Computing/IT and a few AU specific subjects (Research Project and Personal Learning Plan). In the past I have taught Maths up to year 8 level also. Both IT and Maths are great subjects. Personally I'm very happy teaching either of them. One thing to note is that as a teacher you do have to be willing to take on a subject you may not be entirely qualified for. For example I'm currently teaching a year 8 media studies course without having any media training. It's really all about having an open mind. 2. Having worked outside of teaching first, even though it was only for 3 years, was invaluable. Career teachers who have only ever taught are a strange bunch. They have a totally distorted picture of reality. They don't realise that in the "real world" people: a) have line managers, b) have to keep time sheets which require that literally every hour of time is billed to a client, c) have a boss working across from you or continuously looking over your shoulder, d) have only 4 weeks of paid vacation, e) have a requirement to justify every sick day and produce a doctor's certificate for each absence etc. f) The list goes on and on. So in answer to your question: Having a "real" job outside of teaching has been the single best thing I ever did for my "career". It means that even after almost 10 years of teaching I still appreciate all of the great things this job has to offer. Having said that, teaching is not for everyone. It isn't rocket surgery, but not everyone has what it takes. You have to really love the act of teaching, as well as liking being around kids most of the time. I'm glad you're considering teaching as a career. I hope, whatever path you choose, things work out in your favour. If you have any further questions then I'm happy to pass on my email address. All the best.

neilparikh 14y ago
Hey, thanks for answering my questions. I appreciate the help. I do have a few other questions. Could I get your email? If you don't want to post it here, my email is in my profile.