Teacher Training in general

I've been teaching now for 14 years (Eeek! That's a scary thought!) and to be honest my Teacher training still rankles me. I did a post grad certificate in Education in London which itself is odd in a way, the idea that you can be taught to teach in a year while degrees last for three. Having said that I certainly wouldn't have wanted to stay where I trained for a minute longer than a year. My beef is basically that we weren't taught to teach at all. We had placements in schools which was really hard as you were thrown in at the deep end and expected to swim. I know that some people are natural born Teachers, I'm not, but it is something I enjoy. The college I ...  Read the complete review

It has just occurred to me that I have written all kinds of reviews for this site yet I haven't ever really talked about what I have spent the last four years doing! I have always known that I wanted to go to university but my career ambitions have ranged from wanting to be a vet to wanting to be a psychiatrist. However by the age of 16 I begun to appreciate the 'art' of teaching and realised that it may well be a path I wanted to follow. I went to college and did a mix of A levels. When it came to applying to Universities I was suffering from some pretty severe health problems including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME) and depression and anxiety disorders. I ...  Read the complete review

Deciding to become a teacher is probably one of the hardest and strangest decisions that I ever had to make. I did my degree in Illustration , and although challenging and enjoyable, there seemed no logical career path that I should take when the course ended. I don't think people should decide to choose teacher as a 'last resort' although many do, you will be severely dissappointed with the experience. Just because you haven't managed to get a job in your chosen field, doesn't mean you'll be a great teacher. Also, don't think that because the government are paying you to do the course is a reason to do it either. Its bloody hard work - probably ...  Read the complete review

I was on the primary pgce scitt course. The materials were fabulous, and the study weeks at the university had interesting topics presented by quality speakers. The food and accomodation was good and it provided a good opportunity to network with other students. The concept behind the course is also good - spend all your time in a school, learning on the job and you'll be a far better teacher at the end of it and more experienced so more able to get a job. However, I was the only student placed in the school I was at and found this isolating. When I felt the school were unsupportive and treating me unfairly, the university took the school's side as they didn't want ...  Read the complete review

I'm in the middle of a college inspection and on the verge of hysteria. I find myself laughing uncontollably when someone says "Good Morning." So I thought now would be a good time to share my early teaching days with you. After spending a week with straight laced people- with clip boards watching me teach, tripping up over plants which are springing up all over college to impress our bespectacled friends and living on coffee as a food group- I'm now going to re-trace my steps: "How Did I Get Here?" Screen goes blurry- FLASHBACK TIME..... THOSE THAT CAN'T ...TEACH ========================== Like many people I ...  Read the complete review