Transitioning into a teaching career can be a smart move. With ongoing shortages of teaching professionals in Australia, numerous opportunities are available. If you have experience in an adjacent or an area where you have developed skills that can be transferred into teaching, it’s worthwhile considering your options for entering this rewarding and vital sector.
We’ll cover all the aspects of a teaching career transition you need to consider and what options you could consider.
Understand Your Motivations
Teachers are a positive bunch – people with a strong sense of purpose, deep reserves of patience and a mission to serve their community. If you’re considering transitioning into teaching, reflect on what motivates you. Is it a desire to inspire young minds, contribute to your local community, or share your passion for a particular subject?
Understanding why you want to teach will not only help you stay focused during the challenges of training and adjusting to a new career but will also resonate in your interactions with students.
Evaluate Your Skills
Many teaching roles are crying out for people with science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), or foreign language skills. If you already have a professional background in one of these areas, consider the settings in which you’d like to teach students.
For example, if you have a background in engineering or IT, you could teach technology subjects or help lead STEM projects. If you’re fluent in a foreign language, you could contribute to subjects teaching that language and other language learning initiatives.
Research Pathways to Teaching Qualifications
If you already have a university degree, consider a postgraduate pathway like the Master of Teaching, which can be completed in 2 years.
In Victoria, you’ll need an initial teacher education (ITE) qualification or equivalent. In Queensland, the two-year Turn to Teaching Internship Program is available for career changers who already have an undergraduate degree and are eligible to enrol in a Master of Teaching qualification program. Around Australia, the High Achieving Teachers Program offers a couple of pathways into teaching that allow you to get paid while you teach and study – through Teach for Australia and LaTrobe’s Nexus programs.
In addition to these options, you can also find multiple options for scholarships and grants, including rural/regional incentive programs, to support you financially. At the same time, you gain a teaching qualification in Australia.
Gain Classroom Experience
If the last time you set foot in a classroom was as a student, getting some classroom experience under your belt will definitely help you transition into a teaching career. Volunteering or working as a teacher's aide is the most effective way to do that without a postgraduate-level teaching qualification.
Working as an aide can give you valuable insights into the school environment that aren’t easily found from university study alone. It’s a way to dip your toes into the water before committing to a teaching career path.
Many schools appreciate having professionals from diverse backgrounds help in the classroom, which can also help you confirm your decision to teach.
Get Familiar with Teaching Materials and Practices
Developing an understanding of modern teaching practices is also a wise move before transitioning into a teaching career. You’ll find many teaching approaches you experienced as a student have been modified substantially – or done away with altogether!
Familiarising yourself with the Australian Curriculum and state-specific syllabuses can help you get a clearer picture of the current responsibilities of teaching jobs and classroom management techniques. It’s a way to get into the right mindset for a teaching role and know what standards you will be measured against.
Plus, having volunteer experience can also strengthen your application when you pursue formal teacher training or certification, which is a benefit!
Seek Perspectives from Professionals
Connecting with current teachers is one of the best ways to gain real-world insight when considering a career switch to teaching. Teachers can offer firsthand knowledge about the daily challenges, rewards and realities of the job that you won’t necessarily find in course descriptions or job listings.
If you know someone who is already teaching, reach out and schedule a time to talk. Ask them about their experiences, what they love about the profession, and what difficulties they’ve faced. These conversations can help you gauge if the role matches your expectations and personal goals.
Talk to a Teacher Recruitment Agency You Can Trust
Ready to act on your dreams and make the next step? We’re ready to help! Specialising in Australian teacher recruitment for over 20 years, Tradewind provides industry-recognised support to teachers who are new to the profession. Get in touch with our friendly team to learn more about teaching job opportunities and transitioning into a teaching career.
