Confession time

I want things to be different.

I wrote that coming back from maternity leave was an eye opener, but the matrescence has wormed its way through me and I admit it: I don’t want to continue to work in the profession I love.

Clearly, it’s not because I hate being a communications professional – I still enjoy elements of my job, but I’m not motivated by the outcomes in my current role anymore (remember, I work in Defence Innovation which is to be measured in lethality) and when I look at other comms roles, I’m not excited by them as I used to be.

I have been thinking about becoming a teacher for around 10 years, since I was doing my second degree, surrounded (again) by English teachers who were passionate about their work, loving being emersed in English as a subject.

Recently, I’ve been exploring how I can make that a reality.

I’ve been to a Get Into Teaching event in Manchester and met providers, teachers, and people from the Department for Education.

I’ve done my research online, looking at the PGCE options, and the Initial Teacher Training offers, particularly the school centred ones (SCITTs). The SCITTs are, importantly, paid.

Today, I observed classes at the local highschool, met the Principal, spoke with the Head of English and teachers, and had a tour of the school. I felt welcomed, and it made me reflect on the school experience I had as a child. I won’t go into it today, but I didn’t like school and I never even considered becoming a teacher when I was young.

Now that I’m a career changer at 43 (44 when I start, if I start), money is key. The offers for paid teaching for new teacher training is, apparently, not common unless teaching experience is already had. It’s so important to bring home a salary to the home, as it must be for anyone not living cheaply or for free with their parents. So while I’m set on applying, and I have a first, second and third choice route, I have no idea whether, even if I send the best CV, do a brilliant interview, do a fabulous practical – I may not be able to become a teacher.

When not become a Teaching Assistant, you may add. And I don’t want to sound awful, but I’m not made to be an assistant. I’ve spend years managing, leading, driving things – I can’t sit at the back of a class helping individuals.

The next step for me, then, is trying to get the right experience over the next year, get applications submitted in time. I do what while joining a new communications team in Defence, which I’m also looking forward to.

The next year will about getting prepared, getting my mindset right – and spending time with my boy. Because there are no part time options for SCITTs, which breaks my heart.

Stay with me to find out how it goes.