Becoming a Teacher?

[BlackCat]

Ive been thinking about this on and off for a little while now, but was wondering if anyone could possibly help me answer these questions.

Due to family circumstances after I finished studying I may or may not (more likely not) be able to move out of the area to gain employment. I have spoken to a teaching friend who has told me the reason that she works in disabiliy care is because she can not get a job as a teacher as there are none around here. Is there somewhere that I can look at or talk to to back that up? Is there somewhere that will show projected employment both in my area and state and nationwide both now and in 3-4 years time?

My next question, If I choose to go ahead and pursue this study is there a different course for primary education and secondary education?

Im sure I had more questions than that but I cant think of them at the moment. Any help would be very appreciated. Thanks

[Trillian]

Hi BlackCat. I'm not sure where you could find the information you are looking for in regards to employment prospects etc, but yes, there is a difference between Primary and secondary teaching. The Bachelor of Education (Primary) is a stand alone degree. The secondary teaching is a bit different because you tend to specialise in one area, so at the Uni I am at (UNE), it is a Bachelor of Mathematics/Bachelor of Teaching or Bachelor of Information Technology/Bachelor of Teaching etc. There is also a separate degree for teaching disabled children - the Bachelor of Special Education (Primary)/Bachelor of Disability studies. But that may be different from Uni to Uni.

[butterfly_warrior]

If you already have a degree and it is suitable, then you may just be able to complete a graduate diploma in education - which was the path I took into teaching.

As for jobs in your area - it will depend greatly on WHERE you are located. Where I grew up and did my training there was a massive shortage in teaching jobs and a vast over supply of trained teachers wanting them. We left the area. Some stay but have a fairly long commute (~1 hour) into outlying areas. Perhaps contact the department of education in your state? They would be able to tell you what it's like.

BW

[DaintreeDream]

Trillian - Can I ask how you are finding UNE and also if you have completed any of the intensive training and how you have found it as far as travelling etc. I am looking at studying with them next year and I am currently making my final decision on which course to do, it is mainly the intensive training holding me back at this stage.

[Trillian]

I'm loving it! The Lecturers I have had this year have been really good and they have a strong online component for most of the subjects. A friend of mine who is a year ahead of me in the same course said she has had 2 lecturers that didn't really exude excitement for the subject which made it hard for her to remain enthusiastic, but she said if that was the only downside, then it wasn't that bad at all.

I've not had to go to any intensive schools as yet, but I think I will have one subject next year where I have to go. Two of the subjects I did this year had them, but they were non-mandatory so I didn't go. In October they will put up all the subject information for next years courses, so you may not be able to find out which ones have intensive schools until then. I think for my degree, there are only a few subjects that do the intensive schools which is good.

[DaintreeDream]

Thankyou Trillian. I have always wanted to work in child protective services and have been thinking for a long time about completing my bachelor of social science, but the practical me has always wanted to be a teacher so I have finally made a decision, I am going to apply for the Bachelor of Special Education (Primary)/Bachelor of Disability studies. My girls have inspired me to work with other children with additional needs as I have discovered how hard it is to find good help and from understanding and compassionate people. So fingers crossed that I am accepted and on my way to becoming a teacher for special little children. Just waiting for tomorrow for the subject information to appear on their website for next years courses to confirm intensive school and exam dates.