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I Want to Be a Teacher

But I don't know if I can do it. It's been 7 years since I graduated physics. I don't know half the stuff in school curricula anymore. I tried a PGCE in the UK but failed - 2nd placement school gave me a class of 30 y7 kids, 5 of whom had SEN. They didn't tell me about those 5. No advice whatsoever. No support. I failed. I dropped out.

So my options for next year are to be a secondary school science teacher in a private school in rural South Africa (very accountable position) or volunteer in databa<x>ses and learn something I can use when I come home.

We need to pay off credit cards from our luxurious life for the last 2 years out there. We also need to plan our wedding. But I need a career. And I don't know if I can really teach. Or if I will fail dismally.

My question is, should I try? Really? Is this an opportunity I should not pass up? I don't know. I really, truly, don't know. And it scares me. It upsets me to the point of crying right now. I wish I knew what to do. I think I do. I think I teach. If I fail, I know I tried. Databa<x>se programming can be done anytime. I won't try another PGCE if I don't do this now, so this is probably my shot. We're not going to another country either, battling immigration in one country is plenty enough for one lifetime. So I couldn't do TEFL or something like that. Not worth the paperwork for us to move again.

I'm scared though. So scared.

xx
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aardvarkno2
Having been a professional teacher and having also lost my job due to workplace politics, I don't recommend abyone be a teacher anymore!

However, if you are a dedicated, passionate individual who has a knack for working with kids and don't mind the extra meetings and grading, you may really enjoy the profession.
DreamCoCreators · 36-40, M
Thank you, your perspective is a valuable one! I am a passionate person, I don't know if I have a knack for working with kids or not, but I can cope with politics at last. It's taken a long time to learn, but learning to deal with difficult people is a skill I'll never regret putting the time and effort into learning!!