Many people have won jobs because they thought outside the box, and it’s this form of alternative thinking combined with modern technology that means you can create a killer job application nowadays. Today a CV doesn’t just have to be words on a piece of paper. You can easily design a stunning document on high quality paper, whilst you may decide to have an online portfolio of work if its relevant to your industry, and you can move your potential employer from looking at the paper document to a website where they can interact with you and learn more about you. There is also the option of creating a video to tell the world you’re looking for a job, which many people have done with great effect. If you can be a little bit different and possibly a bit wackier, you can draw the right type of attention and move to the top of the ‘CV pile’, even without a CV!
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Going from a TA to a teacher
If you’re current a teaching assistant but you have aspirations of your own to become a teacher and lead the classroom, then there are a few things you need to know.
Firstly, you need to know that workload increases significantly and that’s why the pay is so much higher. You may not finish on time like you did as a teaching assistant whilst there will be lots of marking to do in your free time and this can take over your life if you do not manage your time correctly. Just because you’ve seen a teacher do their job well, does not mean you know it inside out, and you do need to make sure you’re ready to take the big jump before you decide teaching is definitely the correct route for you. Just remember there are a lot of big differences between the two roles, so be sure to really familiariseyourself with the daily work of a teacher.
Which teacher training route is best for you?
There is no right or wrong way to become a qualified teacher, however there are two main routes that you can take to pursue this career. The two ways to become a qualified teacher or either university based or school based, each having its own style of learning and pros and cons too.
University based training involves academic lectures involving research essays and takes on a more academic approach to learning. You will still have a set amount of hours that you will need to complete in a school setting, including planning and leading your own class.
School based learning has a more apprenticeship feel to the learning. This style is certainly a more hands on approach as you are based in a school and will usually be assigned your own class during training. Your hours may be shortened to allow for the academic requirements of the course to be complete.
University is seen as the more traditional route, however there has been an increase in school based learning. For those looking to complete their PGCE, will need to undertake a research project which will require university attendance.
How to Become a PE Teacher?
If you’re passionate about sports and working with children, working as a physical education teacher might be the right job for you! In order to become a PE teacher, you need the right education and certification.
First, you’ll need to get your official certification to work as a PE teacher. To do this, you will need to perform the ITT, which stands for Initial Teacher Training. This will help you get your QTS, or Qualified Teacher Status. The most common way PE teachers get their QTS is by attending a university, followed by a yearlong training process to get their certification.
While at University, make sure to keep up good grades. Consider choosing to get your degree in a subject like Sports Science, which relates to physical education. Once you have completed your degree, you will have to take a PGCE, or Post-Graduate Certification in Education. This postgraduate training lasts one year, and after you complete it, you receive your QTS and are certified to work as a PE teacher.
Working as a PE teacher can be exciting and fulfilling, and once your training and certification is complete, you will be ready to get started.
Develop your teaching skills by volunteering abroad
Volunteering can be very advantageous to your personal and professional development. If you are interested in expanding your skills and knowledge, teaching abroad may be the perfect career change for you.
It may be worth discussing your ambition to volunteer and teach in a more deprived country with your manager, as they may be able to offer you advice on how to make it a reality. Many teachers choose to volunteer during holiday time, while others may take a year out to teach abroad.
Many volunteer teachers in Africa will have accommodation and food in return for their teaching. It will provide you with a new insight into teaching and the making the most out of the resources that are available. There is no doubt you will learn valuable teaching styles that you will be able to apply to your classes when you return.
Volunteering and teaching abroad may be the perfect career change you need, so do not hesitate to start planning you trip as soon as possible.