Working As A Qualified Teaching Assistant To Become A Teacher

Many graduates leave university not really knowing what career to follow

. In fact many graduates choose degree courses not really knowing what career they are going to take up. This is normal, how can they know at such an early stage in life what they will enjoy as a career.

Sometimes its only when we get really involved in some aspect of work we can make a decision as to whether or not this is the career for us. Sometimes we are surprised that what we thought we wanted to do is in fact not at all satisfying and we have made the wrong choice, it just does not fit in with our expectations, lifestyle or principles.

Often our circumstances change; marriage, children, redundancy, separation and many other life affecting changes take place.

Thus a career change is prompted and many graduates then decide they would like to teach.

The subject of their degree may or may not be relevant but the fact that they have a degree shows they have reached a standard of learning that part qualifies them to teach. For that reason Graduate Teacher Programmes (GTPs) have been set up to enable them to qualify as teachers on a fast track

Entry to a GTP course can be extremely competitive and as part of the entry requirements some providers insist that the student has some experience of working with children. The ideal way for the entrant to gain this experience is for the applicant to have been or actually be a Teaching Assistant. This role involves supporting the teacher and the children in learning activities as well as supporting the school and its curriculum. Providers look upon this experience with favour as there can be no other way of gaining such relevant experience. Also it gives the applicant a real taste of what teaching in a school is really all about. Thus enabling them to test their desire against reality!

So the question arises How can I get a job as a Teaching Assistant?

Sometimes schools will take Teaching Assistants on an unpaid voluntary basis and this is often a way of getting experience in a school. But by far the best way is to take a short home learning course to gain a level 3 accredited Teaching Assistant award. Normally courses can be completed on a part time basis in approximately 3 months and may even qualify for CATS points.

Another excellent option for graduates who wish to become teachers is to gain this accredited Teaching Assistant qualification, get a job as a Teaching Assistant and to enter a part time GTP so you are gaining valuable experience earning a salary and completing the course that will allow you to become a fully fledged teacher.

Bursaries are available for GTP learning going from 4,000 to 6,000 and topping out at 9,000 and these can be supplemented by other expense funding.

by: chakra

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