In our review of different careers, we take a look out how to become a teacher, what being a teacher entails, and what skills and attributes are required for anyone wishing to become a teacher.
What Does a Teacher Do?
A teacher works with young people and children. Depending on whether you are a primary school teacher or a secondary school teacher they will be between 4 and 11 years old, or 11 and 16 years old.
As a teacher, it is your job to teach them what they need to know so far as the national school curriculum has decided, and to assist them to grow as people and become the best version of themselves that is possible.
Day to day your job as a teacher will involve teaching classes, managing and sometimes challenging classroom behaviour, marking work, attending meetings, discussing pupil's progress with parents and organise outings, sports events and social events. You may also run lunchtime and after school clubs.
You're working hours will usually be between 8:30 am and 4pm for 39 weeks of the year. However, lesson planning, marking work, school clubs and day trips will all involve working outside of these hours.
Is Becoming a Teacher Right For Me?
To become a teacher, the following skills and attributes are desirable:
- A genuine desire to help your pupil's to the best of your ability
- Patience and a good sense of humour
- The ability to not take things personally
- Creativity and the ability to inspire children and young people
- Passion for the subjects you teach
- The ability to deal with challenging behaviour
- Excellent communication skills
How Much Can a Teacher Earn?
The starting salary for a teacher is £22,224 a year. This will raise over time to £32,831 a year in annual increments that you will be awarded subject to satisfactory performance.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Teacher?
To become a teacher you will need five GCSE's grade A-C including maths and English (also a science if you wish to teach at primary school level). You will then need a degree in a subject relevant to what you wish to teach, followed by a year of teacher training.
