Elizabeth L.
About me
| Elizabeth L. | |
| History | |
| History | |
| Undergraduate | |
| James | |
| 2006 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Teacher | |
| All Saints CEVA Primary School | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Education | |
| Medium-size business (50-249 employees) | |
| 2015 | |
| £22,000 | |
| £22,000 |
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A day in the life of a Teacher in the United Kingdom
My career goals when I graduated
To work in a Museum or heritage venue. I had no specific idea in what role.
My career history
Following graduation I undertook an MA in Museum Studies at Leicester University. I worked for 5 years as a full time Museum Education for Northampton Borough Council. My post was reduced to part time so I took on a part time Teaching Assistant role in a local primary school. After a year in this roIe returned to university in Northampton to study a PGCE.
Courses taken since graduation
MA in Museum Studies
PGCE in Primary Education
How my studies have helped my career
At the time I undertook my MA it was widely considered a necessity to have an MA in Museum Studies to get a job in the sector. It did help but perhaps wasn't as imperative as was indicated.
A PGCE is technically no longer essential to be a teacher (academies have different rules) but I do not think any one would recommend you try to get a teaching post without one.
My First Class honours degree at York entitled me to a full grant to undertake my PGCE, which, was a great help financially.
What surprised me about my career so far
Becoming a teacher! It was the last thing I wanted to be when I left university, but Fate had other ideas!
Where I hope to be in 5 years
I'm not greatly ambitious. I just want to become a better teacher and be able to achieve a good work-life balance.
My advice to students considering work
Try to find a job that you can believe in and will enjoy.
Be flexible and have a back up plan in case your first option doesn't work out.
If at first you don't succeed, keep trying, especially if it is what you want to do.
Get some kind of work experience in your chosen field.
You can't always choose to be fussy, be prepared to make changes in your life to get the job you want.
My advice about working in my industry
Go into teaching because you want to do it, not because you don't know what you want to do, or you think it is good money.
Some from of school experience is necessary. A job as a TA is a good start; it allows you to pick up a few skills, earn a bit of money before doing a PGCE and helps you make up your mind if teaching is for you.
Contacting me
Happy to talk/share experiences about teaching, PGCE, MAs, Museum sector, interviews and applications and work experience.
What I do
I am a full time teacher, currently working in KS2 (year 3 - primary).
Previously I have worked as a Teaching Assistant in KS2 and as an Education Officer in a museum.
What I like most
Working with children and doing something that will hopefully help them grow as a person, whether this be personally, socially or academically.
What I like least
The workload, teaching is a way of life and definitely not a 9 - 5 job. You have to be prepared to jump through hoops some times, you need to accept that you will be constantly being judged and probably found wanting and you have to be able to switch off.
What surprised me most
How challenging it is. I knew it would be but perhaps not in the ways that it is! Every child is an individual and the span of abilities within one class is vast, catering from them all is hard work!
Next steps...
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