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ellie · 08-24-2008, 10:28 AM

Ok, so while I'm trying to keep it honest, I have to say my feelings about working full-time as a kinder teacher is kind of confused. So maybe you can all help me?

It's so funny, I think I will be always searching for my calling. Is it always going to be the case that once I have it, I want something else? ha ha

Ok so I've working with children for a little over a month. I do enjoy it, I don't love all aspects of my role, but then I again I have to remember that eventually my role wont be a childcare assistant, that as a kinder teacher I will be working more with children and planning activities and providing it to them, rather than doing cleaning, organising lunches (which as you may know from my other thread is not my forte), doing nappies (boring). I aslo wont be working with babies, just 3-4 year old which is the age group I much prefer. I will have my own assistants which will do the job I am doing now. I feel at times like a %$$## kicker in this role!!!

The thing is I have started to teach at a uni, Flash and I love it. I love the technical side of things, as well as interacting with adults that really want to learn. I also love the idea of me teaching them, is helping them learn a new skill. I also like the organising and providing them with information, that exceeds what they need. I think the course I provide is pretty kick arse and they are getting so much more for their money. In additon, I am in charge, no one is telling me what to do, such as clean tables, get out the luches etc. It's great, I walk out of the class, feeling on top of the world.

Back to childcare - I still do get to interact with children, play with them etc and I love that but I'm just worried I will miss the techincal aspect. I love problem solving difficult applications and finding a solution. I get a kick out of it.

I have just seen a job advertised at a uni, that is after my skills and because I now have a bit of experience teaching I think I would at least get an interview. I keep thinking, no I should just stay in childcare for a little longer, so I get the expereince on my resume and it doesn't look like I give-up on things too quickly. If I applied for the uni job and get it , I reckon I would forget about getting my teaching degree for a number of years.

I have to say at the moment I have been happier than I have been in a long time, so should I keep things as they are, or take a leap? I do like coming home after 2'oclock in the afternoon in childcare and do things that I love to do, like go for a walk, work on my own things and I still get to teach a few days a week. So it's a nice mix. I would lose all this if I applied for a full-time job in teaching.

I also think working in childcare, has enabled to learn to get a bit of a backbone and speak-out. I tend to be quite fragile and scared to speak my mind, but at times have to be tough, raise your voice, so that the children listen to you. I really think this is helping me with my confidence (without actually realising it). I still think I need to develop in this area.

So what do you think?

08-24-2008, 10:28 AM	#51 (permalink)
ellie Family Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,432	Ok, so while I'm trying to keep it honest, I have to say my feelings about working full-time as a kinder teacher is kind of confused. So maybe you can all help me? It's so funny, I think I will be always searching for my calling. Is it always going to be the case that once I have it, I want something else? ha ha Ok so I've working with children for a little over a month. I do enjoy it, I don't love all aspects of my role, but then I again I have to remember that eventually my role wont be a childcare assistant, that as a kinder teacher I will be working more with children and planning activities and providing it to them, rather than doing cleaning, organising lunches (which as you may know from my other thread is not my forte), doing nappies (boring). I aslo wont be working with babies, just 3-4 year old which is the age group I much prefer. I will have my own assistants which will do the job I am doing now. I feel at times like a %$$## kicker in this role!!! The thing is I have started to teach at a uni, Flash and I love it. I love the technical side of things, as well as interacting with adults that really want to learn. I also love the idea of me teaching them, is helping them learn a new skill. I also like the organising and providing them with information, that exceeds what they need. I think the course I provide is pretty kick arse and they are getting so much more for their money. In additon, I am in charge, no one is telling me what to do, such as clean tables, get out the luches etc. It's great, I walk out of the class, feeling on top of the world. Back to childcare - I still do get to interact with children, play with them etc and I love that but I'm just worried I will miss the techincal aspect. I love problem solving difficult applications and finding a solution. I get a kick out of it. I have just seen a job advertised at a uni, that is after my skills and because I now have a bit of experience teaching I think I would at least get an interview. I keep thinking, no I should just stay in childcare for a little longer, so I get the expereince on my resume and it doesn't look like I give-up on things too quickly. If I applied for the uni job and get it , I reckon I would forget about getting my teaching degree for a number of years. I have to say at the moment I have been happier than I have been in a long time, so should I keep things as they are, or take a leap? I do like coming home after 2'oclock in the afternoon in childcare and do things that I love to do, like go for a walk, work on my own things and I still get to teach a few days a week. So it's a nice mix. I would lose all this if I applied for a full-time job in teaching. I also think working in childcare, has enabled to learn to get a bit of a backbone and speak-out. I tend to be quite fragile and scared to speak my mind, but at times have to be tough, raise your voice, so that the children listen to you. I really think this is helping me with my confidence (without actually realising it). I still think I need to develop in this area. So what do you think? Last edited by ellie; 08-24-2008 at 10:42 AM.