Becoming a teacher

[MAX POWER]

I've been in various forms of full time retail work for the last four years. I've come to the conclusion that it is not a career for me. Something I've always wanted to be was a high school teacher, but never had the motivation to study past high school.

During high school, I felt that further study wasn't for me. I goofed off during year 12, got a UAI in the fifties, bummed around TAFE for a year and a half, then began working full time.

Now after all this time in retail, I have the motivation to study my arse off at Uni and become a teacher, something that's an actual career. Unfortunately the Uni websites are very tricky to navigate. Even my honours degree earner girlfriend couldn't find the right info I need.

So I've come here for help from those who know. Where should a 24 year old guy from Hornsby start on the way to becoming a teacher? I think that Macquarie & UTS don't offer teaching degrees? [damn uni sites, so confusing!!] So the next closest would be UNSW or SydUni? When should I enrol? Should I call or visit a Uni, or stick with the websites?

All genuine advice is apreciated.

MAX

[dwarfthrower]

Most of the Unis should have an open day coming up soon... visit the education faculty of each of the universities you are interested in, you should be able to have a chat to lecturers etc.

[wOnko]

never underestimate the value of job satisfaction. I am a high school teacher (have been since 1980) and am still doing it because I enjoy working with learners ... if that floats your boat, do it, the profession needs passionate and committed members.

[C0V3R]

Call up their respective help desks/info lines and ask to be directed to the appropriate dept.

[berserk]

So I've come here for help from those who know. Where should a 24 year old guy from Hornsby start on the way to becoming a teacher? I think that Macquarie & UTS don't offer teaching degrees? [damn uni sites, so confusing!!]
MAX
Tried teaching once. Horrid job that was dealing with disinterested young adults. Anyway, whatever rocks your boat.
BA (Educ) from the Macq (http://www.handbook.mq.edu.au/programofstudy.php?edition=2006&code=EDU01)

[bitch]

Don't become disillusioned with the lecturers.

I went into a teaching degree straight out of high school, we were the first year at Newcastle to do the double degree - a bachelor of teaching combined with a bachelor of arts.

Having just come from thirteen years of school, the lecturers, having spent however many years out of the school system, seemed too far removed from a school environment.

The first semester was this is what makes a good student, the second semester was this is what makes a bad teacher.

I ended up spending all my time playing in the computer labs, I dropped out and eventually found myself in a wonderful IT career.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it isn't all "Mr Holland's Opus" and "Dead Poets Society" - the teaching theory was boring and depressing, it seemed to instill fear about what not to do rather than what to do.

But you've probably thought about it and I say good luck to you. Go out there and make a difference :)

[MAX POWER]

Thanks to all so far.

I'm assuming I'll need to do a bridging course first?

[catt]

Not necessarily, sometimes your work history/ life experience means that you don't have to do a bridging course.

I'm currently doing a Bachelor of Education/ Bachelor of Arts through UNE (Armidale) and suggest if it is at all possible you go to Uni where you can actually attend lectures, tutorials etc... studying teaching by distance is just plain silly

good luck with it all :)

[Holster]

My best friend decided to become a teacher when she was a few years older than you are now.

Her first stop was getting a job as a teachers aide, this is something you might want to consider before starting the degree.

[MAX POWER]

What do you need to become a teachers aide? I don't even know what one is! If they had them at my high school, I never knew?...

[Holster]

Well she worked in a HS art department (she has quit now to finish her last year of uni full time).

She would help set up for classes, help studnets with special projects, create all those hand outs and stuff you get, and assist the teachers during classes if they needed her.

[Cordis]

Having worked in universities and private colleges I know of a few ways for you to get in:
1) You could redo your HSC at Tafe over 1 year or 2 years part time
2) Study a diploma at a private college/Tafe, I would recommend studying in the lines of your chosen teaching such as major IT, Business etc and then apply through UAC. This is an easy way to get in as universities put places aside for students like this and they rarely get filled.
3) Enrol as a mature age student but this requires you to sit a few entrance exams which are quite difficult and to sit a panel interview
4) Accelerated teaching program in which you go to uni for one year and teach practicums. However you need an undergraduate degree or to proven experience in your desired teaching major (i.e 5 years carpentry for Industrial Tech teacher)

With options 2 and 3 if you have relevant experience they will take that as credit. All universities offer teaching degrees.

If you want more information visit here:
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/employment/teachnsw/become_teacher.htm

At the end of the day there is no easy way to become a teacher. If you want a guaranteed path into teaching I recommend resitting your HSC or completing a diploma and applying through UAC (make sure you ask whether the diploma you pick is a pathway to education).

[Kez]

Do what I've done

Cert IV in Work place training and assesment

Lets you be a TAFE teacher, you might be able to get into something at TAFE regarding retail?

Pay = Shitloads more, for a casual training role in a private firm I was getting $35 an hour at one stage.