Supporting Prospective Teachers

Surveys of what children want to do when they 'grow up' usually have 'teacher' near the top of the list - not surprising when you consider the influence and status that a teacher has in a young person's life. Finally settling on a future career is a more challenging task, but many young people will still decide that they want to teach. Support from parents and friends is an important part of fanning into flame the initial spark of interest.

Encourage young people who are thinking about teaching to talk to teachers to find out what their experience is like - across a range of subjects, from primary and secondary, state and independent, NQTs and Heads. Don't feel you have to protect them from teachers who don't like teaching any more. Just make sure that they meet enthusiastic teachers too! And of course, encourage them to talk to Christian teachers about how their faith affects the way that they teach.

It can be really helpful for a prospective or student teacher to link up with an experienced teacher as a mentor, someone they can go to with questions or for advice. A Christian mentor can pray for and with the student, and help them think through important issues. Ask around at church to see if anyone would be willing to take on this role. It doesn't need to be too onerous, but can make a huge difference to a prospective teacher.

If your church has formal links with a school, you may be able to help young people who are thinking about teaching to gain valuable classroom experience. Of course they'll be used to a classroom from their own education, but going to help in a primary school will enable them to experience something of what life is like 'on the other side of the desk'. Again, it's important for them to see different types of schools to the ones they have attended.

Encourage youth leaders to arrange some sessions on vocation in the youth group, exploring the areas of calling and of integrating faith and work. This will obviously benefit all the young people in the group, not just those who are interested in teaching.

Resources

On this website:

The Quiz is an excellent means for exploring teaching as a possible career; for individual or group use.

Viewing the DVD will give a good insight into teaching as a career.

On other websites:

Alove, the Salvation Army for a new generation, has a good section on their website about vocation.

The Association of Christian Teachers provides membership free of charge to student and newly qualified teachers as a way of investing in the next generation of Christian teachers.

Connexions has details of teaching as a career. You will find different routes into teaching explained elsewhere on this website.