Interested in becoming a teacher

nuala4

I am an Irish dance teacher with over 15 years experience teaching workshops and giving performances in schools. The majority of my students have been in the primary age group. I have also delievered workshops for Primary and Secondary school teachers. I love teaching, helping the children put on shows and using dance to connect them to their community and also their heritage. I have worked on many creative school projects and my favourite work is the inter-generational projects where the school children get to spend time with older members of their community. I also give history tours to school groups in my old school which is a Victorian House and visitor attraction. Everyone I know says I am a natural teacher and I should do the teacher training. Now I am retiring from touring I want to use my experience in a new role.

I will apply for the PME (first choice Mary I) next year and I will be 40 when I finish the course.

I want to use the time before I apply for the PME to improve my Irish fluency. I am lucky to live on the outskirts of a Gaeltacht. I am also considering studying an evening SNA course. Can anyone advise if this would be a usefull addition to my CV? The course involves work placement and I am eager to get a feel for the classroom. Are there any other skills I should develop to help me stand out when applying for jobs? My hobbies are taditional music- I play and could attempt teaching tin whistle for sure- hiking( I am training to lead groups hill walking) and sea swimming.

I have lots of family who are teachers and principles . I hear mixed things about job security and the likelihood of securing a permanent job. Like all performers I am very flexible. The gig economy is all I have known so am prepared for the challenge of subbing and moving around between jobs. I am also lucky to pay rent with dancing and can cover unpaid summers. However, I would like to apply for a mortgage and feel settled in a community. I am open to moving abroad for work if needs be.

I welcome insight here from teachers. Do you think I would have much of a chance at a permanent position? Will my age be a issue?

byhookorbycrook

Hi Nuala, you have many skills and talents that would be welcome in most schools, but posts are filled on several different criteria, depending on the needs of a particular school.

I know you have experience of teaching dance, but I'd strongly recommend volunteering in a school. Teaching dance to a group of children who have decided to be there because they want to would be quite different to teaching maths to 30 6th class children with a diverse collection of strength and needs.

It's most unusual to secure a permanent position in primary in your early years of teaching and you will indeed most likely be subbing for a while. If you plan on buying a house, that will tether you to a certain radius for subbing. which may limit the work you can take.

If you are close to a Gaeltacht, the likelihood is that there are high numbers of qualified teachers in the area already as those areas traditionally have a high number of people choosing to go into teaching and a higher than usual percentage of them seem to want to " go home!" Have a look at educationposts.ie to get an idea of the vacancy situation. The SNA course would be helpful in making you more au fait with the various additional needs,which would be of benefit to you.

I'd upskill as much as possible in all things tech. as well.