For many Australians and Kiwis (including myself), the idea of moving to London is conceived through simply not “knowing what else to do” or because our mates have already joined the exodus. Having been part of the Teaching Assistant Team for the majority of my time at anzuk, the reasons I’d hear for moving to London were pretty consistent among TAs, Administrators and Groundskeepers alike- “why not?” Two years later, it’s a far more decisive conversation being had.
The beauty of training to become a Teacher is that you can come from any background and can often add a Teaching qualification to your undergraduate degree in one or two years. More and more are we seeing our TAs returning home to do just this, having previously had no idea that education would be their calling- based on this, it is easy to argue that Teaching Assistant work is the perfect pathway into Teaching. Here’s five reasons why:
1. Try before you buy.
Teaching Assistant work gives you perfect exposure to the classroom. For those who are unsure if Teaching is the right path, TA work is a great opportunity to see what life is like from a Teaching perspective, without the commitment of a university course.
2. It’s relevant experience.
As an aspiring Teacher, what more relevant experience can you find than Teaching Assistant work? Being in the classroom allows you to observe, first-hand, a Teacher in practice and to also explore different year groups and Teaching capacities (i.e. SEN v non-SEN).
3. Learn from the pros.
Every Teacher has their own unique style that they impose on a classroom. Teaching Assistant work allows you to observe a variety of teaching methods and can help you decide what kind of Teacher you want to be.
4. It’s great for networking.
Being a TA first can lead to job opportunities upon completion of your Teacher training. Headteachers know other Headteachers and while their might not be a Teaching job open at your old school, your former Headteacher will often be able to put you in touch with a school where there is. Some schools will even offer to put TAs through Teacher training themselves.
5. Explore other career options.
If you decide that becoming a Teacher isn’t the right decision for you, casual Teaching Assistant work is a great way to explore other career options while effectively working when you want.
Making the move halfway across the world can be an uncertain and daunting prospect. However, it is an experience that will often unearth new talents or provide a sense of direction; TA work is no exception and is arguably the perfect doorway into a career in education.
Why not?
