I'm about to begin my Primary PGCEi. It's the Sunderland Uni one so lots of teaching and supervision and practicals. Very similar to a non-i one.
Today's the day I got access to the Virtual Learning Environment and nearly shit myself when I saw various deadlines, targets, learning objectives etc. I wasn't expecting a walk in the park but I'm suddenly feeling a little overwhelmed. The public-school facade of cockyness and confidence has taken a (private) kicking!
I'm no stranger to organisation. I managed to be a father, full-time school employee and complete my degree last year but this seems a whole other level. I feel like I'm wasting time writing this ... the first deadline is an Independent Learning Plan due in in 3 days.
I've just been to buy some new Post Its, ream of paper and poly pockets. I've organised the study and bought 4 beers. I've added the Student's Guide to my Kindle and going through it is tonight's plan.
So, once I'm over the shock of the workload, any advice? Anything you'd wished you knew when you were in my position?
TIA
I’m an ITT mentor, and the one thing I’d say is to compartmentalise your working and home life. Get school work done, then stop and do home life.
Be organised right from the start. Begin evidencing the Teacher Standards straight away.
Get organised.
Complete tasks like collating evidence on a weekly basis.
Use exemplar materials to see how much is good enough.
My wife has just started a PGCE. The first few weeks seem massively disorganised but according to her colleagues who have been through the mill it does get better. We'll see.
Did mine a few years ago. Seemed daunting at first but was fairly straightforward after the first 2/3 months. As other have said, discipline and organisation is key to making sure yoy don't fall behind. Good luck!
So, once I’m over the shock of the workload, any advice? Anything you’d wished you knew when you were in my position?
I didnt do a PGCE. It looks like hell, good luck!
if you thought pgce was hell try school direct.. if you get through that you'll know pretty quick if you want to carry on in the teaching profession. Do lots of observations.. get behaviour management and routines sorted and take daily vitamins
As a PGCE qualifier and teacher of 25 years I would recommend what all experienced teachers consider and many do. Go and get a job in Tesco.
Thanks. Noted.
As always, daunting tasks seem much less daunting when broken down. A long list of Post Its is now down to two. Slow and steady and organised...
As others have said: organisation, discipline(of yourself - not the children) and compartmentalising your life are vital. So is prioritising. You will never get it all done as well as you would like to. Especially true in your first year of teaching. So aim to get the important things done well and don't sweat the small stuff. Once you are teaching full time remember that 90% of the hassle comes from the 10% of the time you spend with adults and you are not really there for them.
Oh and enjoy - it can be a great life if you have the right attitude to it!
Seriously, if the workload of a PGCE is worrying you, you may have picked the wrong career. I have been teaching for 15 years and the PGCE year was a walk in the park compared with the reality of a full time teacher's workload. As others have said, i love it but get real, have you actually done your research?!
gt56 - strange but everyone I've spoken to says that the PGCE is by far harder than being a 'proper' teacher and speaks disparagingly about those who talk about unmanageable workloads as a teacher.
It isn't the workload that shocked me; as I said, I just got a First in my dissertation and a 2:1 overall in my degree whilst being a father to two, a husband and working full time in the AEN department. I think I'm justly proud as well as being demonstrably hard-working and organised.
The multitude of short-term deadlines did seem overwhelming. I'm used to longer-term targets.
"As others have said"
Umm... I hope you don't teach History. You seem to be the 'others'.
Interestingly, I'm not sure if teaching is my dream job. However, I think I'm good at it. I'm married to one and as ex-pats with no interest in repatriation, it suits me and my family.
suits me and my family.
Its "my family and I".
2/10 see me
See its easy!
...
Good luck to you, my daughter started her's today and reading this thread I know what tonights phone call will bring!
Its “my family and I”.
No, it's not.
No, it’s not.
It is if I say it is, I'm the teacher, you just do as you are told!!
gt56 – strange but everyone I’ve spoken to says that the PGCE is by far harder than being a ‘proper’ teacher and speaks disparagingly about those who talk about unmanageable workloads as a teacher.
I didn't say it was unmanageable, I'd have quit it if was! As a PGCE student you have time built in to your timetable to do the other 'work'. I am lucky that as an AST I teach 70% of a normal timetable now. I still teach for 4 - 5 hours a day, and plan/mark meet etc in accordance with that whilst not being face to face. Face to face teaching time is the reason I do it. Today I didn't have any of the leadership meetings, planning or strategizing to do. I got in at 7am, left at 5pm. I am very efficient with my time. I will work a few hours tonight. That was a light day. I am on the leadership pay scale, doing pretty well with not much room for manouver in terms of pay rise apart from a deputy headship in a large secondary school and still earn less than a train driver. I love my job, truly. But don't kid yourself that a PGCE is hard work. It isn't. If you are a born teacher, which you'll soon find out, it's easy. If you arent, it's hell. Some muddle through, complain about their workload, get bitter, some quit. If you can actually teach, it is the best job in the world. But trust me, teachers are born, not made. I've trained enough to know.
Good luck, if it's for you, then it's a brilliant way to spend your working life. I love going to work every day.