Secondary Thinking about becoming a teacher

[Hudu Gurusingha]

So who has received their placement for next year? Or are we still white knuckling it.

Good news personally, I gave up on the government sector and went applied for a catholic school position and got the job, even though its .6 its a start.

Though it was worth mentioning, while I got the job at catholic school, I'm still getting replies from the jobs I applied for through the graduate pool with the response of "you have not been shortlisted", where as the 6 jobs I applied for through the catholic system I've had 6 interviews but none with the government system which would easily be over 15 jobs this year, maybe others who are having the same troubles I have had with the government system should look into the catholic system. While I am catholic, I am not a practicing catholic all I had to say is that I support the catholic ethos, could be worth a shot?

Thanks for the info.

Still not a single bite from the grad pool.

Im not religious at all so does that ruin my chances to work at a Catholic school?

Did you find these jobs on seek?

 

[Hudu Gurusingha]

First term with preps can be interesting, espcially with the ones who haven't done kinder. I was working in Sunshine last year doing PE with preps. Half the class were ESL. It took me half an hour just to get them to make a circle.

You'll get used to it quickly. It helps if you have a daft sense of humour. They love it when I get one of the cuddly toys and allow them to 'interview' it via me.

Year 9's are the worst - getting them to do anything is a nightmare

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

4 lessons for the year to go.

 

[Hudu Gurusingha]

Ive recently said screw it - even if I dont get a job next year, Im going to try pick up as much relief as I can and get teaching again and go through teaching agencies. Am already smashing out resumes to schools. Cant stand doing my headwrecking job any longer

 

[radiojake]

Once I get my certificate my plan is to continue doing two or three days a week guitar teaching and the other two or three days relief teaching...

The idea of running a classroom at the moment is still fairly daunting, I gather relief work opens you up to lots of different experience

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Once I get my certificate my plan is to continue doing two or three days a week guitar teaching and the other two or three days relief teaching...

The idea of running a classroom at the moment is still fairly daunting, I gather relief work opens you up to lots of different experience

How long do you have left?

From my experience, those nerves disappear very quickly. Anywhere between knowing you are ready to teach after your last prac to your first week in charge of your own class. Sink or swim but you get over it quiet quickly.

You will only get better by doing it and then implementing your own observations.

Have some patience and wait for them. Don't get frustated or they will see it and then play on it but you are the only one who can develop your own behaviour management system and i'm just guessing, but I feel that's the thing that could be causing your nervousness.

TRT will only frustrate you. Become a music teacher and teach music or try your hardest to get your own class. TRT work sucks.

 

[radiojake]

How long do you have left?

...........

TRT will only frustrate you. Become a music teacher and teach music or try your hardest to get your own class. TRT work sucks.

thanks for the advice

unfortunately some stuff came up this semester and I had to defer so I got a couple of subjects to finish next year... but I'm not too stressed or in a hurry about it..

Being a music teacher would be absolutely ideal, although I assume those roles would be rare and/or coveted... but I guess I basically have another 12 months to go (one of the subjects I have to finish doesn't get repeated til Aug - Nov next year)

Maybe by then I'll be more confident with it all..

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

thanks for the advice

unfortunately some stuff came up this semester and I had to defer so I got a couple of subjects to finish next year... but I'm not too stressed or in a hurry about it..

Being a music teacher would be absolutely ideal, although I assume those roles would be rare and/or coveted... but I guess I basically have another 12 months to go (one of the subjects I have to finish doesn't get repeated til Aug - Nov next year)

Maybe by then I'll be more confident with it all..

Can you (maybe it might be too late) do that subject as an external student?

Yeah, specialist roles (PE, art, music (especially in primary), science and drama) are quite difficult to get. If you are able to go country and move away from the metropolitan area, this will increase your probablity to gaining a suitable role.

Are you planning on doing classroom teaching or just music? if you are just looking ast music, TRT work will make you go broke. You will need to be willing to take any role, any day with zero notic.

In my first semester out, I was doing some TRT work and was given a few music days as a TRT - I think they did some art work those days. I would be the worst music teacher ever. No idea how to structure a music lesson but it gave me experience and that's all TRT is about.

 

[radiojake]

Can you (maybe it might be too late) do that subject as an external student?

Yeah, specialist roles (PE, art, music (especially in primary), science and drama) are quite difficult to get. If you are able to go country and move away from the metropolitan area, this will increase your probablity to gaining a suitable role.

Are you planning on doing classroom teaching or just music? if you are just looking ast music, TRT work will make you go broke. You will need to be willing to take any role, any day with zero notic.

In my first semester out, I was doing some TRT work and was given a few music days as a TRT - I think they did some art work those days. I would be the worst music teacher ever. No idea how to structure a music lesson but it gave me experience and that's all TRT is about.

Not sure about the external student thing? When I deferred I basically organised right there and then picking up the rest next year to finish it up, I'm comfortable with how that is set out..

and at this stage I figure I'll just go for any teaching work and bide my time to eventually find myself in a music teaching position if one comes available... I don't even think all primary schools would have much of a music programme? My primary school certainly didn't have much music, it wasn't until I got to high school before I studied it with any regularity

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Not sure about the external student thing? When I deferred I basically organised right there and then picking up the rest next year to finish it up, I'm comfortable with how that is set out..

and at this stage I figure I'll just go for any teaching work and bide my time to eventually find myself in a music teaching position if one comes available... I don't even think all primary schools would have much of a music programme? My primary school certainly didn't have much music, it wasn't until I got to high school before I studied it with any regularity

We certainly don't. We have an external teacher come in and give individual lessons two days a week.

I only know 1 maybe 2 primary schools that offer music as a NIT subject.

 

[bresker]

Plenty of music teachers here in Vic - three primary schools within walking distance of my house have music teachers, two .8 and one full-time. Most of the primaries around the inner north of Melbourne would have them.

I had my first day off this entire term CRTing this week - I've had bookings every other day. Am still hoping for a day or two next week. I was the art teacher today in one of my most socially & economically deprived schools. Roll on Christmas.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

School is over for another year.

 

[CrazyDon]

Schools in Victoria should have wrapped up last week. My students are ready for holidays and just not in the mindset to learn. Private schools are all finished which makes it harder to swallow. 4 days to go after today

 

[bresker]

Yeah, this is a completely pointless week. My daughter's secondary school are taking two pupil free days - one today, one Friday - and running excursions/ activities on the other three days. I have to pay for the excursions. Ah well, it's cheaper than school holiday program.

I just finished my 45 minute interview for the Catholic school position - I reckon I nailed 80% and did some good waffling for 20%. It just depends on the other candidates & my referees.

At least I have an advantage on the bloke before me - he didn't bother to suit up. He rocked up dressed in slacks and a colourful shirt. Not that type of interview, my friend.

 

[bresker]

I got the job! Woo-hoo!

Teaching Latin to year 7 & 8s in Melbourne's poshest Catholic school. I would never have pictured myself doing that at the start of the year, but bring it on.

 

[radiojake]

schools teach Latin?

is that an elective or a core subject?

 

[bresker]

All year 7 and 8s at this school have to take it, then from year 9 they choose at least one foreign language to pursue.

I'm as surprised as you are; I'm just happy that the 11 years I spent studying Latin & Ancient History can finally be put to good use.

I have barely opened a Latin book in the 19 years since I finished my studies (I was completely over classics by the end of my degree) but it shouldn't take me long to get it back.

 

[CrazyDon]

Honestly why would you wear a colourful shirt and slacks.. I wear a suit.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Honestly why would you wear a colourful shirt and slacks.. I wear a suit.

I went and met with my new school principal last Thursday at 7:30 am and wore shorts and a polo shirt. He didn't care. Saying that, I went straight to school after that and it was going to be 37 degree and the second to last day of the year.

He wore jeans and a collared shirt and tie.

 

[CrazyDon]

I wear a polo and shorts/slack when I teach, our school has a 'no jeans' policy which is fine as I see the logistics and the need to be a professional, but in an interview you want to look your best.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I wear a polo and shorts/slack when I teach, our school has a 'no jeans' policy which is fine as I see the logistics and the need to be a professional, but in an interview you want to look your best.

I guess it just depends on the school, role and situation but agreed; you don't want to look dishevelled.

 

[bresker]

It really wasn't that sort of interview - I was up against a panel of four all suited up in this swanky boardroom. It was a massive risk of epically stupid proportions to forgo the suit.

I quite enjoyed being interviewed by four people. As soon as I paused, they fired out another question. No awkward silences.

 

[the egg]

I've been teaching for a couple of years now in Adelaide. Mainly short term contracts with year levels from 2 to 7 but I'm looking for a change so I've decided to move to Brisbane. Anyone know what the teaching opportunities look like up there? It's common knowledge that contracts are hard to come by so I will do TRT (supply work if I have to)... hopefully the education system in QLD works a little bit better than SA!

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I've been teaching for a couple of years now in Adelaide. Mainly short term contracts with year levels from 2 to 7 but I'm looking for a change so I've decided to move to Brisbane. Anyone know what the teaching opportunities look like up there? It's common knowledge that contracts are hard to come by so I will do TRT (supply work if I have to)... hopefully the education system in QLD works a little bit better than SA!

If you can win the same contract 3 years in a row, the school is supposed to make you a permanent employee.

Good move as it's superior to DECD.

 

[Hudu Gurusingha]

Got an email from the department advising I include the pilbara and kalgoorlie in my grad pool as there are job shortages out there. But you cant get permanency from doing remote anymore, so whats the point?

Anyway, been smashing out applications and hitting up schools with my resume - hopefully will be able get some steady relief next year in the likely event I dont get a job. The plan is to walk away from all the arseholes at my current job around April and start teaching and coaching tennis on the side.