primary teaching vs. secondary teaching

[Shanaynay]

I am looking at doing either a Grad. Dip. or Master of Teaching but not sure if I should be looking at primary or secondary...... just wondering if the teachers out there can let me know why they chose primary over secondary, or vice versa.
Thanks :)

[missie_mack]

My DH did a GDE. He doesn't think he would be a good primary school teacher he says his only art class would be making paper mache or playdough and then he would be stuck lol The only musical instrument he can play is his armpit and he doesn't know if he is really accomplished enough to use it for a degree LMAO...
But seriously he simply doesn't feel he would have the required connection or personal interest in the subjects taught to younger children and enjoys the interaction he gets from older kids and the mental challenges for himself.. :) I guess it really depends on what your specialty is though... (he was a chemist before retraining. And no he isn't a teacher for the money lol)

[Whippet]

I think if you choose secondary then you're able to teach both (Don't quote me on that, I'm not 100% sure) But if that's the case then I'd go the secondary route and have the option of both.

I think it'd be great to either teach primary at any level or secondary at VCE (year 11 & 12) level.

[sare]

I chose primary. I always knew I wanted to be a primary teacher and I can honestly say I love it. I did a combined degree, so technically I can teach either, but I would never even contemplate secondary.

I guess something to consider is workload. In lower primary, the corrections are no where near as bad as they are in upper primary and secondary, but it is so tiring and demanding. I have friends who teach VCE and the hours that they put in on corrections and extra assistance in the lead up to exams is crazy. Then I have friends who are Prep teachers and the hours that they put in on lesson preparation, preparing games for literacy and Maths tasks, individual learning plans etc is insane too. Do you have a preference?

[Nomsie]

Well...

Some things to consider:

* Primary teachers are required to know a little about a lot
* Secondary are required to know a lot about a little
* Most primary teachers undergo 3 years of specific teacher training, and then a 4th year which is the same as a dip ed.
* Most secondary teachers undergo 3 years of a degree of their choice, and then a 4th year dip ed which enables them to teach their specific area as well as maybe one or two more.
* I trained in Primary, and I am able to teach up to year 10. Infact, most specific primary trained teachers are in demand in secondary schools, because of their extra training in pedagogy. They haven't just been taught how to teach, but they understand a lot of psychology of children etc. So we have the choice of where to work iykwim
* Those who do a seperate degree and then dip ed would find it quite hard to get a job in primary schools...

HTH :)

[borntobemummy]

I did and early childhood degree and I can teach up to year 12 (and beyond) with my degree. But, to tell the truth high school kids scare me and I just couldn't see myself teaching them. I love the lower primary kids, year 3 and under, at that age most of them are excited to learn and respect the teacher as the person who can show them how to learn. When they start to grow an attitude, that's when I struggle.
DH, on the other hand teaches high school and he absolutely loves it! He thinks he would enjoy primary too and is pondering a similar question to you as he's not yet a teacher, he's a teachers aide, but they've put him in a teacher's role anyway:rolleyes: He loves that with the older kids, you can relate to them almost as adults and he enjoys figuring out what teaching strategies work best to gain their respect and cooperation.

So, it comes down to you and your preferences, you could be like me scared of the older ones, or like my DH preferring the older ones. Maybe you can arrange to sit in some classrooms in a local school to see how you feel about the different ages. But also, it does seem that once you're in, you can work any level, I think more so if you do primary, you can extend into high school, not too sure if it goes the other way around.

HTH

[Miss_N]

I am about to finish my early childhood degree and chose it because at the time I was convinced I wanted to be a preschool teacher. Since spending time in schools with Prep-Yr 3 classes I have changed my mind and decided I would prefer to teach in a primary school.

My degree allows me to teach to Yr 10 aswell but just like Borntobemummy high school kids scare me a tad and I would have to think long and hard before I accepted a position in a High School.

One other thing to consider (other than your personal preferences) is employment opportunities. The Grad Dip Ed is a very full on 12 Months and if you feel anything like I do after working so hard and commiting to something like thay you should be able to get full time work! But the reality is (well at least for in QLD) that there are not a lot of permanent vacancies for primary school teachers unless you are willing to go to out west to rural and isolated areas. If you do accept a position in these areas you also have to do a min 3 yr service period before you can request to be tranferred back in to the regional areas.

Just something that I never knew when I began my degree! As there was and is so much in the media about the shortage of teachers I assumed I would walk into a job but the reality is that I may have to accept temporary or supply work to begin with!

The shortage of teachers seems to be in the secondary area and in specific subject areas too. :)

[jalibali]

I am a primary teacher and hubby is secondary, neither of us could teach what the other one does! I am an all rounded kind of person, I am academic, musical and dancer. So I chose primary as I wanted to be able to teach in lots of areas and I couldn't figure out what I wanted to teach at high school. High school kids also scare me! I don't cope well with the whole teenager thing:laughing:

I think it depends on your state, but I know in NSW you can only teach in the area you are trained in. Primary teachers can do casual work in high schools but can't hold a permanent job. Secondary teachers are not allowed to teach in the primary system, unless it is a private school, then they have their own rules.

Jobs are quite competetive in Sydney especially in the areas where people want to teach. But if you are prepared to work hard and do extra courses and stuff like that, it becomes easier to secure a job.

Hope that helps, good luck!:flowerz:

[amandaw]

I'm high school, and very seriously know that I couldn't stand to teach in a primary school (other than the fact that they are very cute!) For me the reasons are

* (and most importantly) The idea of being so responsible for teaching children the absolute basics/foundations of their literary/numerical world scares the absolute bejesus out of me.... I know that you are trained how to best do this, but at a high school level we see the byproduct of how well kids gather the foundations, and it scares me how many seem to just slip from primary level without it

* I love the interaction with people who can talk to you at your own level (albeit a self centred one usually :laughing:)....Being able to see kids actually light up when they really get a new concept is just a great feeling

* I also love the opportunities for extracurricular activities with the older kids (camps, musicals, optiminds, sports activities) I know how much I got out of these when I was at school, and being able to encourage kids through the same is great

* The work load is entirely dependent on what you teach...primay has a LOT of correction day to day, where as in my subject areas (Dance and Geography) there is more of a focus on assessment tasks (though this would be different as say an English teacher)....if you do plan on doing high school, do think about your subject combinations - the load of an English + History teacher is HUGE!!!!

* Other than the Year 8's and core areas (English/Maths/Science/SOSE to Year 10), the subjects aren't compulsary, so the kids I get in Dance are there because they want to be there, so much more motivated and you can hold them a little more to 'ransom'

* I personally think that secondary teachers are less isolated (though do know that there are lots of primary teachers who do team teach)....there is usually someone else who is teaching the same subject matter as you who you can swap and match ideas with. There is also (well in my school at least) a good chain of support in terms of behaviour management and encouragment

*For me I often teach the same kids for a number of years, and love seeing how they progress and grow....in saying that I also don't have to see the same kids all day everyday...if I've got a particularly bad kid/class, I see them for 70 mins, then pass them on :laughing:

Umm think that's all...it depends on which state you're in to what the restrictions on the Dip ed to employment would be (I know one of the Uni's here in QLD did a dumb thing and changed their Dip Ed program to just having 1 subject area, but unless that's a core area ie Maths or English, you aren't as attractive to a school who has a more patchwork set of needs...I had an outstanding prac teacher who wasn't employed due to this fact...and 18 months later, the only reason she has a position is the fact that she has my maternity leave contract....a bit sad for her after all that time)

[safarifun]

From a very young age I knew I wanted to be a Preschool teacher.

I have a degree for Child Care (yep, there is such a thing) and that can put me in many places including Cruise Ships that have Child Care services, not that I ever have done that.

I also did my EC degree and a Masters in EC.

I love teaching Prep, but I've always known that's my calling. I've taught up to Yr 7, but for me Prep is definately where my heart is.

High School Kids.... :hair: They scare the daylights out of me, they are scary compared to when I was there!!!

Good Luck. Follow your heart, you should know what age area you would prefer I think?

[telma]

i teach High school and I love it! I teach in the core subjects and I wouldnt have it any other way.

I couldnt do primary school as little kids seemt o want constant approval. I am mother to my son, not the students in my class