My job as: A primary school teacher

Trotter

Occupation: Primary School Teacher

Qualifications held: BSc. & H.Dip in Primary Ed.

Previous Jobs: Information Technology

Daily/Weekly/Yearly Routine: Lesson prep & planning, admin tasks, liasing with resource/learning support teachers/parents, classroom management, individual pupil management, getting classes ready for religious sacraments, teaching multiple subjects each day. Primary teachers could be working with any level from Junior Infants (4 or 5) to 6th class (11/12/13) or in learning support roles.

Your probation year is quite specialised in terms of what is expected from you. Here's the document new teachers need to be very familiar with.
Guidelines for probationary primary school teachers

Age bracket: Late 20's

Day In The Life: Arrive in school 20 mins before kickoff at 9. I make sure I have the resources/notes on what I need to teach that day, and check my to do list for admin and general bits and pieces. That can range from reminding children to bring in gear for football training to collecting paperwork from parents etc.

Children burst in the door at 9am and we start work on the various parts of the curriculum. Here's a run through of what we teach at primary level.

Primary Curriculum Introduction.

The children have a 10 minute break in the morning, and a half an hour at lunchtime. Myself and the rest of the staff work on a supervision rota so we all do our share of supervising the playground during breaks.

The children are out the gate by around 2:45pm and contrary to popular belief, the rest of the work starts at that time. I usually go back to the classroom and get some correcting done, work on classroom wall displays and have informal chats with other teachers who would work with my students day to day (support teachers). Many primary school teachers rotate into learning support roles (1 to 1 and small groups) every few years. We also rotate class levels every few years. Once I have the bits and pieces done, I arrange what I'm going to do with the class the next day. I'd have a general idea anyway because of longer term plans I'd put together beforehand based on the curriculum books.

General comments: I left a very good job in banking because I just had no motivation for it. I started subbing to see if teaching was for me, and I really enjoyed it. I did an 18 month post grad qualification and managed to get a permanent position when I graduated. I know that a lot of new graduates now though are finding it very hard to get work. Primary teachers can either qualify through a B.Ed. degree or a post grad.

The job is really rewarding. If you read the papers these days you'd think its easy and permanent for everyone who does it. Thats not true. Its hard work and it can be really very stressful at times. If you're suited to the job, its the best in the world. I can't see myself doing anything else, and I'm very lucky to work with some fantastic young people every day.

Best of luck with your career choices!

Patriciamc93

Hey!!
Thanks so much you really helped!!! right now i have no idea of what i wanna do but teaching is one of my main choices!!!!
Thanks

seany2929

Thanks very much for this information

rae92

Thank you for posting this.
Ever since I was 5 years old, I've never even considered being anything else but a teacher and lately I've been wondering if this was a bad thing.
I've been so sure that teaching is what I wanted to do, but what if I'm no good at it? Now that I'm facing my LC in a few months time, this is becoming increasingly worrying!

First of all, I don't even know if I can get enough points for the course I want. And even if I do, I wonder if I will stick with it as I've never stayed away from home alone before.
Plus, what if I do become a teacher but find I'm a bad one; what if I can't control the class?
All these little questions have been really niggling at me lately. So much so that I've had to go to the doctor because of chest pains brought on by stress.

Your post really helped me understand what it might be like, but I still have my doubts as to whether it really is for me. What can I do to reassure myself?

dambarude

rae92 wrote: »

I've been so sure that teaching is what I wanted to do, but what if I'm no good at it? Now that I'm facing my LC in a few months time, this is becoming increasingly worrying!

It's very easy for me to say this, but you really need to just put this out of your mind. Everybody worries about things like this from time, some more than others. Don't be setting your self up to fail before you even start. Have you done any work experience in a primary school? You should try it if at all possible, it might provide some reassurance. All courses should provide instruction on classroom management anyway.

rae92 wrote: »

And even if I do, I wonder if I will stick with it as I've never stayed away from home alone before.

I hadn't stayed away from home until I started college either. I wouldn't worry about it. It takes a while to get settled in, but after that it's no big deal.

rae92 wrote: »

Plus, what if I do become a teacher but find I'm a bad one; what if I can't control the class?

You or I or anybody could ask themselves that about any job. You won't be just thrown in to a class and left to fend for yourself on teaching practice. You'll have lectures on how best to manage behaviour and everything that goes with it. A lot of it comes with experience-give yourself a chance.

rae92 wrote: »

Your post really helped me understand what it might be like, but I still have my doubts as to whether it really is for me. What can I do to reassure myself?

Think more positive thoughts. I asked myself the same questions before starting my teaching course, and they still crop up now that I'm doing it. And I'm sure they'll crop up again. Talk to somebody about if you feel very badly about it, but please, give yourself a chance!

rae92

Have you done any work experience in a primary school? You should try it if at all possible, it might provide some reassurance.

In TY, I attended my old primary school for work experience but they just made me photocopy stuff and run errands for the secretary so I have literally no experience of being in a classroom, other than what I can remember from primary school myself.

wayhey

rae92 wrote: »

I've been so sure that teaching is what I wanted to do, but what if I'm no good at it? Now that I'm facing my LC in a few months time, this is becoming increasingly worrying!

This was my concern with Medicine... so I put down Science as my second choice and figured I'd be happy to take it. I wasn't and I'm repeating. Don't be held back by your own fears and worries about the job. I'm still a bit nervous that I won't be a great doctor, but I do know I'll regret it for the rest of my life if I don't try again and go for it, because nervousness aside, it's what I want to do.

I think just having that certainty alone at our age can make you nervous :P Don't freaked out by what you want to do. If you want to put up with bold, ungrateful kids (their wonderful parents too), correcting homework, doing lesson plans, getting the "ho ho ho handy number" jibe forever even though you'll work hard, find it hard to get a job, teach subjects that some people won't want to be taught... if you can see past all those cons and still want to be a teacher, give it your bloody all to try and get it.

http://explorersfoundation.org/glyphery/122.html

rae92

If you want to put up with bold, ungrateful kids (their wonderful parents too), correcting homework, doing lesson plans, getting the "ho ho ho handy number" jibe forever even though you'll work hard, find it hard to get a job, teach subjects that some people won't want to be taught... if you can see past all those cons and still want to be a teacher, give it your bloody all to try and get it.

With all due respect, I hardly think you can comment on what it's like to be a teacher unless you actually are one.
It's irritating and actually a bit immature to try and discourage someone that way, especially when they've had their hearts set on it most of their lives.
I don't mean to be offensive or disrespectful, but I really didn't ask you give me your opinion on what I consider my dream job.

dambarude

In fairness to wayhey, while his/her post sounded a bit cynical, I don't think they intended to insult you or the profession.

rae92

dambarude wrote: »

In fairness to wayhey, while his/her post sounded a bit cynical, I don't think they intended to insult you or the profession.

I understand he wasn't trying to be insulting, and I didn't say that. I viewed it as discouraging someone to pursue a career in teaching and, as this post was written by someone who clearly has set their heart on that career, it's a bit insensitive to post something like that.
It just bothered me a bit, that's all.

dambarude

rae92 wrote: »

I understand he wasn't trying to be insulting, and I didn't say that. I viewed it as discouraging someone to pursue a career in teaching and, as this post was written by someone who clearly has set their heart on that career, it's a bit insensitive to post something like that.
It just bothered me a bit, that's all.

People in general don't really care about how insensitive something sounds, it's something you'll a lot when you are a teacher, and even when you're telling people you're applying for it. The 'handy number, good holidays, overpaid, isn't it just baby sitting?' remark will be passed a lot.

rae92

dambarude wrote: »

People in general don't really care about how insensitive something sounds, it's something you'll a lot when you are a teacher, and even when you're telling people you're applying for it. The 'handy number, good holidays, overpaid, isn't it just baby sitting?' remark will be passed a lot.

I've already had experience of that, yes. But I cared about how insensitive it sounded.
In any case, it's not even worth talking about anymore.

dambarude

rae92 wrote: »

In any case, it's not even worth talking about anymore.

I agree, we shouldn't derail the thread any more.

Do you have any other questions or comments about teaching you'd like to ask?

rae92

dambarude wrote: »

I agree, we shouldn't derail the thread any more.

Do you have any other questions or comments about teaching you'd like to ask?

I know it's probably an obvious question but in a primarily English-speaking school, do you need excellent Irish to teach? I think I could only get around a C or possibly a low B in Irish. Would this be enough?

dambarude

rae92 wrote: »

I know it's probably an obvious question but in a primarily English-speaking school, do you need excellent Irish to teach? I think I could only get around a C or possibly a low B in Irish. Would this be enough?

Well you need at least a C3 in Higher Level Gaeilge to get into the course in the first place. It depends on where you are, but the course will involve quite a bit of Irish to get you up to a reasonable standard before graduating. You don't need to have a very high level of Irish, but it would want to be reasonably fluent and accurate on graduating. Irish is meant to be taught completely through Irish in primary schools, but in reality in a lot of schools it probably isn't.

rae92

I'm a little worried about this as I've had a very bad Irish teacher since 1st year so my standard is probably still around 6th class level.
I could scrape a C3 I suppose but I doubt I'd be perfectly accurate.

wayhey

rae92 wrote: »

With all due respect, I hardly think you can comment on what it's like to be a teacher unless you actually are one.
It's irritating and actually a bit immature to try and discourage someone that way, especially when they've had their hearts set on it most of their lives.
I don't mean to be offensive or disrespectful, but I really didn't ask you give me your opinion on what I consider my dream job.

You publicly posted on a public forum. I was honestly just trying to be helpful.

I absolutely wasn't trying to put you off. I was trying to show you the very worst of the job. If you'd read the last sentence I think you would've gotten that. The link's also there for the same reason. When I realised that if some drunk pukes on me at half 3 in the morning after 12 hours working and I can still say, yep, with all that crap I still want to do it, I know that it's what I want. I'm not buying into the fantasy or only the good points of the job.

No, I'm not a teacher but I have been a student for about 14 years. I do have experience of teachers and being in the classroom and the whole experience isn't going to be a walk in the park the whole time- the course or the job. I was just trying to point that out. When I did work experience as a teacher a few years ago I realised that it really can be a hard, thankless job. Absolutely there are students that want to learn and I'm sure the satisfaction is great when you help any student learn, but the fact of the matter is, like any job in the working world, you're going to have to deal with disagreeable people (parents and kids). Plus the OP pointed out all the work out of the classroom. I'm sure though you've researched it all well if you're seriously considering it but I was just throwing it out there...

Don't let the Leaving bog you down. Worst case scenario you can always take the route the OP took. If it's what you want give it your best shot Remember that's all you can do and try not to get stressed out, it'll be over in less than 8 months

dambarude

rae92 wrote: »

I could scrape a C3 I suppose but I doubt I'd be perfectly accurate.

You'll have time to improve your Irish during the course.

The more you put into yourself the more you and the children you will teach will benefit. Unfortunately most people do enough Irish to pass exams, rather than to get any good at it or remember what they've learnt long enough to have an actual impact on their quality of Irish. If you're serious about improving it there's nothing stopping you doing it.

rae92

Don't let the Leaving bog you down. Worst case scenario you can always take the route the OP took. If it's what you want give it your best shot Remember that's all you can do and try not to get stressed out, it'll be over in less than 8 months

:eek: That makes it sound even shorter!
I'm not too stressed out (not consciously anyway)...

But ever since I was 5 years old I've wanted to be a teacher (or so my parents have told me) and I won't let little me down

keeirs

thank you so much for this information.. i kind of feel that primary teaching is the ONLY thing for me. its the only thing i put down on my CAO (apart from arts in UCC -worst case scenario!) because #1 Ive wanted to be a primary school teacher all my life & #2 i didnt know what else i wanted to put down! Now though im not sure if teaching would be for me & i dont have a clue what to do I love working with children but Im not sure if teaching them would be suited to me..I have no science or business subject & i would LOVE to do speech & language therapy, or even pediatric nursing, but now its too late (plus the points for those courses are super high!) or is there anything i can do?

keeirs

rae92 wrote: »

I'm a little worried about this as I've had a very bad Irish teacher since 1st year so my standard is probably still around 6th class level.
I could scrape a C3 I suppose but I doubt I'd be perfectly accurate.

totally agree.. im a D student the past 2 years & i want primary teaching too!

byhookorbycrook

I'd be a tad older than the OP. If I say I have been teaching since the late 80s,you could probably figure my age out.:D

I am in Learning Support for the last ten years and I love it. It's hectic,no two days are the same and the paperwork is astounding-and growing. Children will break your heart ,both for you and them.It's hard to see a child who comes from a family where education is no way valued.It's hard to see that 6th class child who made the literacy breakthrough with you in senior infants head off to the big world of secondary,where you hope they won't be swallowed up and lose their individuality.(i have been known to have a good old snuffle at the graduation Mass,worse than some of the parents!!

I have grown older and I hope wiser.

The child who comes in day after day with no homework done, may well be doing damn well to even get to school. The child who never stops fiddling/talking/fighting may well be looking for ANYONE to notice them them and to care.The exceptionally able child may not to be to learn some things because they have found school did not challenge them to this point and just down tools then when they really do meet a challenge.
The child that never listens may well have a hearing problem or indeed have undiagnosed absence seizures.

The child that drove you mad when you had them years ago arrives to your door to tell you they have just registered their child to enrol (the ultimate sign of approval,imho) and tells you that they know you were only for his good all those years ago.The parent who tells you that being a member of the football team -a cast of thousands as it's a friendly - has meant the world to their child. Meeting a past pupil showing some friends around at some of the historical sites they visited with you ,lord knows how many years ago. Watching the older children peer-tutoring with the younger ones and how the "tough guys" turn out to be wonderful with their partners.The homemade thank-you card with your name incorrectly spelt that a smallie leaves on your desk on the day of the holidays.

In short, making a difference to the children in our care.

Jobs are very few and far between and likely to be in short supply for a while -maybe a long while, but if it's what you want,then go for it,you won't regret it.

Mr. Rager

Hey guys, current LC student here with a few questions.

First of all, would I fit the bill? I have very fond memories of my old school and I've visited it a few times since, and I believe it would be the type of environment I would love to work in.

I'm sporty, play football with the local club and I'm a health and fitness enthusiast. Also have a love for music and can play the guitar.

I've always loved teaching others and helping them in anyway that I can, in sport and in school.

I'm probably a high C, low B student when it comes to Irish. Like, I should get the entry requirement but is that enough? I absolutely love the subject btw, I just have neglected it slightly as my teacher isn't great.

What are the hours like in first year of Mary I/Pats?

What are the job prospects like? What would be the average wage for a teacher with a few years in the business?

Thanks

madtogoback

I've done an Arts degree and I have gone away and travelled afterwards. I now want to be primary school teacher. I have worked as a nanny, helped out in playschools and also done some work experience in a school since completing my degree.However, I am thinking of repeating Irish and doing honors. Would I be totally mad in starting this now?
P.S I did my leaving Cert nearly six years ago.

Molojan

rae92 wrote: »

I'm a little worried about this as I've had a very bad Irish teacher since 1st year so my standard is probably still around 6th class level.
I could scrape a C3 I suppose but I doubt I'd be perfectly accurate.

Hey, out of interest did you decide to go for Primary Teaching in the end? I did my leaving certificate last year and got a B3 in OL Gaeilge. I was in college until October but I found that I really hated what I was doing so I decided to take the remainder of the year out and repeat Irish only at HL, with the intention of entering into the B.Ed course in Mary I.

Similar to you my standard of Irish is quite poor, I literally did nothing for OL last year. I'm currently sitting in on 5th and 6th year classes only this time round I actually am working.

My worry is that all I'm doing at the moment is rote-learning, I literally have no clue whatsoever about Irish grammar or anything like that. I just learn what's on the sheets. While this is more than adequate for the LC, do you think I'd be able for the Irish in the primary teaching course itself??

rae92

Wow hello again!
I have forgotten all about this post, I can't believe I was actually so worried

Molojan, I didn't decide to do primary school teaching in the end, I actually decided on secondary school teaching! I'm currently in my final year in college in Dublin, about to qualify (hopefully!) as a second level history and RE teacher
I hope to continue on to Cardiff next year to do a master's degree and eventually become a 3rd level lecturer in years to come, not a care in the world!

I wish I could offer advice on the primary course but as I understand things, if you have a real interest then college will develop any skills you need
I really hope you figure things out and things work out as well for you as they have for me! Thank you for bringing me back to this old post to see there was nothing to be worried about!
Very best of luck, you have the potential to do whatever you want even though like me, you might need college to point this out to you!!

BenSweeney93

Thanks this was really helpful. I've just finished a degree in computer science but I have no passion for it and really can't see myself working in IT for the next 50 years. Teaching was always my first choice finishing school but I pursued computer science due to the job prospects. I've started research into doing a masters in Primary Education but I didn't do honours Irish in the Leaving Cert so would need to do an entire course to get up to standard. If you have any advice on how best to get to the required Irish requirement that would be great.

randylonghorn

Have a look at the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge

You will need TEG Level B2 for teaching ... you may not be ready to dive straight into B2 if you haven't done any Irish for a few years / did pass at LC, but they will help you figure out where best to start.

TEG is far less focused on literature than LC and far more on reading, writing, listening and speaking skills which, combined with small group adult-focused teaching, often means that people find it a much more enjoyable experience.

It's also offered in evenings normally, so nothing to stop you working in what you're currently trained in and saving up a few bob while you get this under your belt.