Is Teaching for me?
If you are seriously considering a career in teaching, whether you are still at University, or whether you have already enjoyed a successful career but are looking to make a change, before you apply you need to do your homework!
In this article, Krissy Taylor, Recruitment & Marketing Lead at the i2i Teaching Partnership SCITT explores the ways in which you can answer the question “Is Teaching For Me?”
Is Teaching For Me?
Every teacher can give you great reasons for choosing teaching as a career but it is important to be sure it is the right career for you. You need to think carefully about what you want from your career, the kind of environment you feel you would thrive in and the skills you have to offer and are looking to develop. You then need to research what it really means to be a teacher and reflect whether this matches with your skills, desires and expectations.
I have put together a guide to some of the things we would recommend you do and think about before you start the application process. When we assess applications at i2i and conduct interviews, we look for evidence that your understanding of the role, responsibilities and expectations of being a teacher match the reality, and we look at how you demonstrate the aptitude to manage the demands of the profession. You will be better prepared to answer such questions if you have done your research and gained a clear understanding of those responsibilities and demands.
1/ Understand what the role of a teacher is
As a secondary school teacher you will teach pupils aged 11 to 16 (or 18 if your school has a sixth form). Specialising in a particular subject, you will plan, teach and assess lessons in line with curriculum objectives. You will aim to create a healthy culture of learning in your classroom and department, and will support, observe and record pupils' progress. Teachers must keep up to date with the latest developments in their subject area, new resources, methods and national objectives. The role also involves liaising and networking with other professionals, parents and carers, both informally and formally.
Career progression may be through a specialist curriculum or pastoral role, or by moving into leadership. You may become a head of department, head of year or key stage, or deputy or head teacher. Or you may choose to become a coordinator of a cross-curricular area, such as special needs,or careers education, or a subject or professional mentor for trainee teachers on placement. You could take on additional responsibility as a leading practitioner, in which you would share excellent classroom practice, knowledge and expertise with colleagues in your own school and other schools in the locality.
2/ Research the skills great teachers display
Teaching is a career where you are immersed in your subject every single day and are making a lasting difference to young people's lives. To be a great teacher you need to be hugely passionate about your chosen subject and want to share that passion. Inspirational teachers demonstrate great knowledge, enthusiasm and love for their subject, so it is worth considering what it is that makes you love your subject and why it is important to you. Then you will be able to convey that passion through your teaching and inspire your students to feel the same. Your understanding of your subject needs to be comprehensive and deep - you are going to be teaching students who are capable of achieving top grades and your knowledge needs to support this. Be prepared to assess your subject knowledge weaknesses and be prepared to fill any gaps - you will build this expertise throughout your career but starting from a solid foundation really helps.
Teaching is an academic career and there will always be new things to learn about your subject; great teachers embrace this and are comfortable in their quest to develop and enhance their subject knowledge. Additionally, teaching is a profession that can be subject to change, either in revision to the curriculum, the introduction of new practices and standards and even new qualifications or schools. Effective teachers need to be able to stay on top of their personal and professional development at the same time as their day-to-day responsibilities. Great teachers look to continually grow and develop their skills. Ongoing professional development and regular observation provide opportunities to grow and learn from more experienced practitioners. Great teachers are reflective practitioners and a growth mindset is part of the foundation of teaching.
As a teacher, you will face a host of competing demands and challenges - one of the biggest attractions of teaching is the variety of work involved. Whether planning work, classroom teaching, assessing work, running a trip, collaborating with peers, getting involved with extracurricular activities, managing student wellbeing, researching trends and best practice or quietly reflecting, no two days in teaching are the same. So great teachers need to be well organised and have strong administrative skills to enable them to manage multiple tasks effectively. Teaching is absolutely not your regular nine to five! Yes, there are the long school holidays but teaching is a consuming role that takes real commitment and dedication. When term time is in full swing the pressure can build up and you will need to have the flexibility, stamina and resilience to be able to cope with multiple demands and tasks. You will need to be forward-thinking and have the ability to see things through successfully.
Classroom and behaviour management is a critical skill that all new teachers need to master, so having patience, being respectful and authoritative, as well as having the ability to deal with issues professionally are traits that all great teachers can demonstrate.
Great teachers are also great communicators and relationship builders. Teaching is about communicating new and sometimes complex ideas in a structured way that allows students to learn and the ability to communicate clearly, positively and effectively is essential. You need to be driven to work hard and with creativity to find ways to make learning exciting, enriching and accessible. A great teacher will show a genuine interest in individuals and treat each individual with significance and respect. Good teaching practice is built on the working relationships developed between the teacher and students.
3/ Think about what the work environment is like
Schools are unique places and not like any other workplace! They are a fun, busy, challenging and ever-changing place to work requiring high levels of energy. They are a social workplace that requires a social person. Classroom and behaviour management is a skill that all new teachers will need to master so having the right temperament; patient, respectful, authoritative along with the ability to deal with issues professionally is key to being a great teacher.
The obvious yet critical question is ‘do you want to work with children/young adults?’. If you aren’t able to answer this question with a categorical yes then teaching is not the career for you. You will need to be happy to work with children every day and have the energy and enthusiasm to meet their needs - to support them, listen to them and do your best for them – even when meeting resistance.
4/ Be clear on why you want to become a teacher
Teaching is a challenging profession, but the rewards and benefits far outweigh these challenges. Many people feel drawn to the profession so they can directly impact the lives of their students and “make a difference”, but it is important to be genuine and clear on what your own personal motivations are for joining the profession. You will need to include your reasons for wanting to teach in your Personal Statement and you will be asked about it as part of the interview process, so ensure your reasons are well thought out and developed.
The best way to achieve the above is by arranging to spend time in a school environment, observing lessons and daily life:
5/ Arrange some School Experience
School Experience offers you the chance to observe and reflect upon teaching and pastoral work, and the opportunity to talk to teachers about day-to-day life in a school. It will strengthen your teacher training application, give you observational experience prior to interview and help you decide if teaching is right for you.
When applying, and in particular when writing your Personal Statement, you will be able to draw upon any school experience you have had, using this experience to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the profession and your commitment to it.
If you are then able to reflect and draw upon how your school experience reinforced your desire and passion to teach during your interview, it will add credibility and depth to your answers. At the interview we also look for evidence that your understanding of the role, responsibilities and expectations of being a teacher match the reality, and how you demonstrate the aptitude to manage the demands of the profession. You will be better prepared to answer such questions if you have a greater understanding of those responsibilities and demands. We look to train people who have the aptitude to be reflective practitioners so meaningful reflection on your school experience during the interview will give us a good indication of this.
If you would like some ideas of alternative ways to gain school experience whilst schools are closed or unable to offer school experience days, then please read the Virtual School Experience section of our website
I hope the above has given you some great ideas for research activities to help you decide if teaching is the career for you. Do make sure when it comes to your teacher training application, that you don't just describe or summarise your research activities but you analyse and reflect upon them, allowing your commitment to teaching and subject passion to shine through!
If you would like to find out more about teacher training with the i2i Teaching Partnership SCITT, or our School Experience programme please complete the Enquiry Form on our website.
