Lifelong learning
Helping young people to become strong and confident
Why do you want to become a secondary education teacher? Nienke Smit knows that meaningfulness often plays a role. As a teacher-trainer, she helps career switchers obtain their teaching qualifications.
Many prospective teachers are looking for meaningful work with young people
, Nienke Smit says. They want to help young people gain the strength and confidence they need to build a future. Some are parents who discover that they actually really enjoy explaining things to others. Others find their current screen work too solitary. They want more interaction with others and enjoy sharing their knowledge. For example, we are currently preparing a lab technician for a career as a biology teacher.
A professional has so many practical examples to share
Professionals can transfer to teaching full time or opt for a part-time position. The big advantage of having a professional in front of the class? They bring their work experience with them. A former Shell employee, for example. He’s able to give his class so many examples; his students love it! We also have a former MP who has enrolled to qualify as a social studies teacher. When an election was organised at his school, he was able to tell students how to prepare and conduct a debate from personal experience. Students like that.
You can get a teaching qualification before you start to teach or do the career switcher option and teach at the same time. Nienke: We invest a lot of time in getting to know what someone’s employment history and competences are and matching them with tasks and supervision at school. You have to meet the entry requirements for teacher training, but if you’re able to up the pace after that, that’s possible too.
Are you interested in a career in teaching too?
Teacher-trainer Nienke Smit: If you want to become a teacher, make sure you do your research first. Talk to people in the education sector or spend a day at work with them. See if the working environment appeals to you? Teachers earn a good salary too by the way; it’s a myth that they don’t. Make proper arrangements with your employer and don’t forget to take a look at the various grants available for the career switcher route. Give yourself the opportunity to learn something new. Don’t try to do everything at once, but take the time to acclimatise.
Would you like to keep learning too?
Do you want to keep developing academically and take the next step in your career? Utrecht University helps you keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date. Click here for the full range of education for professionals and find a course that suits you.