Hi everyone! My name is Katie and I am a Primary School Teacher from the UK, currently teaching in Hong Kong. I completed my teacher training way back in 2013, and have learnt so much about the wonderful world of Primary Education since then. I have been uploading videos related to teaching on this channel since late 2017. Since creating the channel, it has become a place where people can come for advice regarding their teacher training, as well as tips and ideas to (hopefully) help you to improve your teaching practice. I don't know all the answers, but I am happy to share my experience on here. I'm still learning a lot, too!
I'm always happy to connect with positive, like-minded educators on any of my social media platforms. For business/collaboration, please contact via. email.
I have a DIPLOMA IN CIVIL engineering, I am Currently an expert in Technical drawing and drafting/CAD in one of the National polytechnics in Kenya, How can I get connected to abroad jobs?
PGCE is a painfully bad use of time and energy. What a waste of everybodys time. Of 10 finishers not one ive spoken with has positive experience or teaching job. What do u get at the end of it? back at square one. Do Efl and zone out, might as well
Just came across this and my immediate answer to the question in the title, as a teacher of 39 years in Australia, is, “No. Definitely, absolutely, NO”. There IS no work/life balance. The pay is okay, but NOT commensurate with the level or amount of work & responsibilities. Teachers are often denigrated in the media and expected to “fix” problems in society. The lack of respect, understanding and support - from students, parents, administrators, education department bureaucrats and the community in general - varies, but overall ranges from mediocre to extremely poor. “Long holidays” are a myth, as they’re really “time in lieu”. During term, apart from direct teaching time, there are meetings with colleagues, senior staff and parents, as well as - planning, programming, yard duties, marking, organising tests, recording, data collection, filing, photocopying, lesson preparation, excursions, often a camp once a year, (where you’re on call for 3-5 days, 24 hours a day!), training & development, (at least a full week each year, in your own time, to maintain teacher registration), school fundraising, concerts, weekend activities such as choir/other music performances and sport, etc, etc, ETC! About 20 years ago, I worked out that most primary teachers worked 60 x 40 hour weeks a year. As there are only 52 weeks in a year, that means we’re already doing 8 weeks “overtime”, so on that basis are actually “owed” holidays! Yes, it does get a bit easier in some respects after you’ve been teaching a while - the first 25 years are the hardest - but the workload and expectations are still ridiculous. I have enjoyed working with many of my students - and a fair few of my colleagues - but would I advise anyone to become a teacher? Honestly? No.
I certainly agree with all your points. One in particular is the “Not embracing real word events”. When I was a student in secondary school, at the start of COVID-19, my school completely stopped anyone from talking about it. Becuase no one would stop talking about COVID-19. After about a week of students not understanding and following the guidelines and social distancing rules, they allowed students to discuss it. In fact, lessons became nothing else. This allow for everyone to understand what they need to do and follow to keep safe. It also meant that students could “vent” their feelings about the situation. It was all over the news and was infecting the UK by then, so it had to be talked about. So in summary, it is better to ditch your lesson plan if something big has happened or will be happening in the world. You can always come back to that lesson plan later on in a different lesson. Good thing with primary is that you’re always with the same kids. So maybe try to get a different lesson finished quicker to implement a portion of the lesson plan you couldn’t do.
I almost didn’t click on this video because Katie looked like a kid herself. After viewing this film, I’m happy I chose it 😊 Thank you for your insight and sharing what works for you Katie.
It gets harder not easier. You get older, which is enough on its own. The curriculum changes, society changes, politics change, administration changes, children's behaviors change, parents change, reporting changes, paperwork changes. Education is a "house of cards". One day it will come tumbling down. Immerse yourself in it, if you like CHAOS.
I am moving to Hong Kong and I automatically subscribed to you. Your content is phenomenal. I’m so happy I found your channel. You truly do not understand
Wow! This video really let me to know I am not alone as a new teacher. I will contact teacher Union and will take note not creating many resources for different lessons. Your video has change my perception in the classroom. Thank you.
Hey, I am a Filipino language teacher who's looking for a teaching job there in HK. Been planning to pursue this for a year now. Can I please know your WhatsApp accounts, so I may freely reach you there and talk matters as regards my intent to be there also. Thank you. Thank you.
