How to become a Teacher

How to become a Teacher Think you’d be able to educate a new generation? Feel at your best in front of a blackboard? You should try teaching…As a Teacher, it’s your job to help children get the most out of their education. This could be involve building the foundations at primary school level, or working with those that are nearly ready to their next challenge after secondary school. Whatever ages the children you work with are, the goal remains the same: to inspire and motivate them to learn.Typical duties for a Teacher include:Preparing lesson plans and learning activitiesMarking work and grading examsDiscussing pupil progress with parents and carersPreparing pupils for exams and further educationManaging behaviour of students, and encouraging them to succeedIs it right for me?Teachers are passionate, not just about their subject matter, but also about their pupil’s development. They should be able to motivate their students and help them fulfil their potential, whatever subject or age group they teach. The best teachers don’t just provide all the answers; they help people find them for themselves.Some teachers may also encourage standing on tables and quote the poetry of Walt Whitman, although this is by no means a pre-requisite.Key skills include:Excellent communication and interpersonal skillsCreativityThe ability to keep students engaged and motivated in their learningPatienceTrustworthiness and relatabilityCareer Progression? Teaching AssistantUp to 20,000 TeacherUp to 30,000 Head of DepartmentUp to 40,000What's it really like? I’ve always been a bit of a geek at heart really. Or, as my family might say, a bit of a know-it-all. I loved school and loved learning, and becoming a Teacher just seemed like something I was born to do. I gained my PGCE after uni, and started out as a Primary School Teacher, something I've been for the last three years. I love seeing how my students develop, and seeing them really engage with a subject and enjoy their education is really rewarding. At the end of the year, you also get quite a few presents. You know, if you like that kind of thing… Get qualifiedTo become a Teacher, you will need to start Initial Teacher Training (ITT), either through university-led training (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate award), or through school-led work-based training (i.e. working in a school whilst studying for your PGCE). After ITT, you may gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).