Teaching

[DaisyFulkirk]

There is something I have been thinking about for a long time. I have just about finished my degree, and I am thinking about doing teacher training. My mum is a peripatetic (that means going round visiting different schools) violin teacher, and some family friends who are also teachers think I could do that too. I play the viola (which is sort of like a big violin) and when I lived at home and when I'm visiting my parents I go to work with my mum and help her teach and watch how she does it. I am teaching four pupils at the moment as part of a supervised project within my college and my supervisor (who was also one of my tutors for a big piece of coursework) says I'm really good at it. I really enjoy it, I've taught on children's holiday music courses too and I think I might be quite good at it, too.

 

I plan lessons for my pupils on my own, show them to someone every week to check that they are OK and they always are, and teach on my own with someone looking in for a few minutes in each session.

 

The problem is that to be a proper peripatetic teacher now they want you to have Qualified Teacher Status, which means doing some of your training as a classroom teacher. When I was a prefect at high school part of my prefect 'duties' was to help in lower-school music and maths lessons, and the volunteer work I have done recently was in year 6 at a primary school.

 

What do you think?

 

My mum doesn't think I could do it - I think I might.

[phasmid]

Daisy I'd say go for it if that is what you want to do. There is no reason why you shouldn't at least try. You can do a pgce over two years if you prefer to take it a bit easier following on from your degree. I'd suggest you visit the TTA website and get some more info....your college may be able to help with info as well.

[curra]

Daisy,

You've come so far, there's no reason IMO why you couldn't qualify as a teacher. As Phasmid said, you could do a PGCE, and the best way to start is the TTA website. Get in touch with them, they can give good advice. Nobody will expect you to start teaching in a classroom, the course is done step by step and you have a tutor who will guide you along the way.

Whatever you decide, Good Luck!! <'>

 

Curra

[Zemanski]

teaching is not the job it used to be, I would no longer recommend it as a good career, it is far too stressful, especially if you have a family

 

having said that, if it is what you really want to do, go for it!

 

good luck

 

Zemanski

[mum22boys]

From reading your post i'd say you sound like you would be perfect as a teacher.

 

Go for it, you sound like you really want to. Prove your mum wrong and do an excellent job

 

mum22boys

[Guest flutter]

if it was specialised music something u have passion about and u doing it in small groups then yes go for it

i am with Z on the life of a teacher nowadays ( have toyed myself with the idea)

[Lynden]

I dont see any reason you couldn't manage as well as the next person. My family (Mum and sisters) are all teachers and I've toyed with the idea now and again but I really dont have the committment it takes to be a good teacher.

 

I think its worth a shot :-)

 

Lynne x

[yoyo]

Daisy,

 

It sounds like you would do really well. Viola teachers certainly aren't two a penny! I am almost certainly AS and I am a director of music at a prep school running a thriving department. I have to confess that I don't have PGCE only my masters degree and two performing diplomas in piano and organ. I have taught as a peri, taught an academic subject (geography) and now this. Your background experience sounds ideal. Have you considered the private system? In the private system you do not need QTS to teach as a peri. Most of my state school educated peris firmly believe that the only place where music is thriving (in Southern England) is in the independent schools. I realise that you may have strong views on state v independent.

 

On the AS side I think teaching is good as one is able to indulge in their favourite subject. Mostly one is teaching alone and not needing to make small talk etc to colleagues. There is form, order, structure etc to the day and reporting etc is formal.

 

Well done on completing your degree. Do PM me if you think I could help you.

 

Best wishes

 

Yoyo