CAREER INSIGHTS Education and Training Fact Sheet

Depar tment of Education

CONTENTS

Career Stories: Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Assistant

and Primary Teacher

Where to Get More Information About Early Childhood Education

and Care, Teacher Assistant and Primary Teacher

Focus on Early Childhood Education and Care, Teachers’ Aide and Teaching Courses

Teacher Intern Placement Program

Pathways into Teaching in Tasmania

Labour Market Information: Early Childhood Educator, Teacher’s Aide, Teacher

The Education and Training fact sheet has a focus on occupations that involve educating and caring for children and young people and related Tasmanian courses. Different ways of qualifying to become a teacher are outlined. Labour market information is presented that suggests good job prospects for graduates of Early Childhood Education and Care, Teacher Assistant and Teaching courses.

Career Stories: Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Assistant and Primary Teacher Kellie, Peta and Sandra were interviewed about their occupations. They were asked about a typical day in their job, the personal qualities needed, the education or training they did to qualify for their occupation, the best thing about their job and advice they would give to high school students about helpful school subjects related to the

es. itheir storon. Here are ir occupati

Sandra: Primary Teacher Sandra is a Primary Teacher. She has taught students from Prep to Grade 6 and she has worked in schools in different education systems.

What does a typical day involve?

“First you need to be organized and prepared. You need structure because kids need to know how things are going to work out. You also have to have expectations of the students that they rise to meet. While you are working you are constantly making observations and thinking about what you have learned about the child from those observations and how you are going to move them onto the next point. You also assess students’ work as they are going. As well as that there is continuous online reporting, so you are constantly gathering data and information that you can report to parents and meeting the Australian Curriculum standards. It’s more than classroom teaching. In your day you have duties as in supervision out in the yard. There are extra-curricular activities that you have to do outside of teaching hours. There are different meetings that you have with parents and you have to do professional learning. There is a lot of planning and preparation out of school hours and on weekends.”

What personal qualities are needed to be a Primary Teacher?

“You have to be communicative, not just with the children, but with their parents. You need to understand kids. You need to be empathetic, nurturing and caring, tenacious, resilient and patient. You need to be a problem-solver. On yard duty you need to be a mediator. Teachers are multi-tasking all the time”.

What education and training did you do to become a Primary Teacher?

“When I did my teacher training it was a 3 year Diploma of Teaching course. That’s all that was available then. Later on the Bachelor of Education came in and I did university study while I was working and completed a Bachelor of Education”.

What is the best part of your job?

“It is really satisfying to see the children make progress and achieve their goals. It’s also satisfying to get to know the kids, build rapport with them and work with them to get them from point A to point B. The friendship of your work colleagues who all share your interest in educating children is another really good part of the job. Having job security is good too and the holidays.”

Many secondary school students are now thinking of choosing their school subjects for next year. Are there any school subjects that are helpful for the occupation of a Primary School Teacher?

“Health and Physical Education and music and a language other than English would be good for a primary teacher, but you don’t have to have those subjects. You have to be well-rounded really. You need a bit of everything.”

Kellie: Early Childhood Educator Kellie is an Early Childhood Educator and Team Leader at an Early Childhood Education and Care Centre.

What does a typical day involve?

“As a Team Leader my role involves overseeing staff, helping set programs and following the curriculum. We have to know each child individually, where they are developmentally, their interests, their strengths and build a program around that, both indoors and outdoors. We provide meaningful learning experiences based on the interests of the children. So it’s not just coming and playing with play-doh - we do that, but why do we play with play-doh? What are the children learning from it? We are teaching children how to socialize, communicate, how to share and take

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turns. We do this in a child-centred, play-based and fun way. We do a lot of paper work and pre-planning and we have to evaluate what we do. Our job is about educating the children – it’s not just day care.”

What personal qualities are needed to be an Early Childhood Educator?

“You have to be spontaneous, fun, caring, physically fit and a team player. You need to have great communication skills because you are communicating not only with staff, but with families and children and it could be children birth to 5 years. So, you have to be able to communicate with people of all different types of backgrounds and all different religions.”

What education and training did you do to become an Early Childhood Educator?

“I did my Diploma through TAFE. It was 2 years full time. It has changed a lot now. A lot of people do it part-time, or they can do it whilst they are working. Now you do Certificate III before a Diploma.”

What is the best part of your job?

“The best thing about my job is when I walk in in the morning and the children run up and hug me. Some days are physically, emotionally and mentally hard, but it is also rewarding. We have children who are no longer here, they’ve grown 10 feet tall but they still remember you. That’s rewarding. It is one of the best jobs in the world. I love it.”

Many secondary school students are now thinking of choosing their school subjects for next year. Are there any school subjects that are helpful for the occupation of Early Childhood Educator?

“I think Music, Arts or Drama so you know how to sing with children, how to be inspired by art not just asking a child to do a painting, think outside the box. Being creative can help you let your guard down and be spontaneous and fun for the children.”

Peta: Teacher Assistant Peta is a Teacher Assistant (TA) in a Primary School.

What does a typical day involve?

“It depends on where you are allocated for the day. My day currently is that I am in a Grade 1-2 class in the morning. I do a reading program with some children

around letter recognition in the morning and I do more reading with a reading program called Multi-Lit. Then I may have a duty at recess. I do duty with two young ladies who have special needs. After recess I go back to the same class but then I may be in a Prep class in the afternoon. You could be working with children individually or as a group, you could be setting up an Art area, making displays or making resources. It is hugely varied. If a child you support isn’t at school for the day you may be allocated to a different class. So, you need to be very flexible and go wherever you are needed.”

What personal qualities are needed to be a Teacher Assistant?

“You need to be very friendly and approachable. You need good

You need a great base knowledge, and don’t be afraid to ask the teacher - you are not meant to know everything, you just have to be willing to have a go”.

What education and training did you do to become a Teacher Assistant?

“I had been a stay at home mother for quite a long time and it was time for me to get out into the workforce and there was a change in my home situation. So, I looked at what was an interest of mine - working with children - I used to love doing this when I worked in childcare, but the childcare hours were not going to fit in with my lifestyle being a single Mum. I did Certificate III in Education Support at TAFE. It was a 12 months full time course, which was only 3 days at TAFE and that gave me 2 days free to either study or volunteer at my child’s

interpersonal and communication skills because you are communicating with people from 3 years of age up until 18 years of age, depending on where you work. You also have to communicate with your peers, for example, if a child is under 2 or 3 TAs have to be able to communicate with each other and if you don’t see each other, you might have a notebook where you write notes about what has happened in the class. You really have to be flexible. It is important to be a happy person – not an adult with a grumpy face. It is a pleasure to turn up to work.

school. I did a lot of parent help, which also helped with the course. One of the days you I was at TAFE was a block placement.

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e

th students. Every day is a good

school

Where to Get More Information about Early Childhood EducationTeacher Assistant and Primary Teacher

We were allocated to a school every Monday and from doing that within the first couple of weeks I had casual work if they needed somebody on the days I was not at TAFE. I started working whil I was doing my course and then after the course I got a job very quickly.”

What is the best part of your job?

“The children and seeing them meet milestones – when something clicks. Being able to have a joke and build rapport with students. You form a bond wi day. There’s no bad day. It is a great career choice. It’s the best job ever, I love it. There is such a lot of variety. You are not sitting at a desk all day. You’re interacting with bright, funny little people or very clever teenagers. It’s great. This job fits into my lifestyle because I am a single Mum.”

Many secondary school students are now thinking of choosing their subjects for next year. Are there any school subjects that are helpful for the occupation of Early Teacher Assistant?

“I would say a basic understanding of English - literacy and numeracy and a basic understanding of Science when you are working in a high school.”

and Care,

Check out myfuture to get a comprehensive overview of what is involved in early childhood education and care, teaching and teacher assisting.

Access the myfuture website, select ‘Occupations’ from the menu and enter these occupations into the keyword search.

• Child Carer • Education Aide • Early Childhood Teacher • Primary School Teacher • Secondary School Teacher

(videos include Drama Teacher, French Teacher, History Teacher, Music Teacher)

• Special Education Teacher

For each occupation you will be able to read career information, watch occupation video clips or read case studies.

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Early Childhood Education and Care, Teachers’ Aide and Teaching Courses in Tasmania TasTAFE

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care This course prepares you for employment in an early childhood education and care settings such as a Long Day Care Centre or as a Family Day Carer.

Certificate III in Education SupportThis course prepares you for the role of Teacher Assistant in a range of education settings, such as kindergarten, early childhood, primary, secondary school and colleges.

courses in focus... Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care This qualification prepares Early Childhood Educators to take on responsibility for the supervision of other staff and volunteers in Early Learning and Child Care Centres.

University of Tasmania

Associate Degree in Education Support This course leads to career options such as such as: Integration Aides, Teacher Aides, and School Support Officers.

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) This course prepares you for employment in childcare and early learning centres, and in after-school care from birth through to age 8 throughout Australia and overseas.

Bachelor of Education (Primary)This course prepares you for roles in Primary teaching, from Prep through to Year 6.

Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education) This course give you the skills and knowledge to teach Health and Physical Education from Foundation through to Year 12.

Bachelor of Education (Science and Mathematics) This course prepares you to teach in Science and Mathematics from Year 7 through to Year 12.

Master of Teaching The Master of Teaching is a pre-service teaching degree. To gain entry into this course you need a bachelor’s degree in a non-education discipline, e.g., a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts, etc.

Master of Teaching students can specialise in primary or secondary teaching. The secondary teaching specialisation requires students to choose two curriculum teaching areas, which are determined by the discipline(s) undertaken in the student’s undergraduate degree. For example, if you completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History and a minor in English, you may become a Humanities and Social Sciences teacher in secondary school, teaching History and English.

Teacher Intern Placement Program If you study Education at the University of Tasmania you may be eligible to apply for a Teacher Intern Placement Program Scholarship for your final year.

Scholarship holders receive a $15,000 financial scholarship and complete their final year of study while also working as an intern in a school. Interns work alongside experienced teachers who provide mentoring and support in developing practical teaching skills over the duration of the internship. Interns are provided with adequate time for study in addition to their time on class and for other teacher related activities. This gives interns the opportunity to fully develop their classroom practice, so they enter the profession highly skilled and classroom ready. Upon successful completion of the internship and upon graduation, interns

Pathway Programs

Diploma of Universi

University Preparati

ty Studies (Education)

on Program

will gain a permanent teaching position.

Keep the Teacher Intern Placement Program Scholarship in mind if you intend to pursue a teaching qualification at the University of Tasmania.

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Complete your TCE and competitive ATAR

Technologies or VET

ENABLING PROGRAMS

Diploma of University Studies (Education)

University Preparation Programs (if you haven’t completed yr 11 or 12)

TasTAFE Certificate III or higher in Early Childhood Education and Care or Education Support may be considered for entry into a

Master of Teaching

Bachelor of Education (Applied Learning) 4 years

Bachelor Degree non-education pathway

Secondary (Years 7 -12)

Primary (Prep -Year 6)

Bachelor Degree 3 Years

Bachelor Degree related to 2 teaching specialisations

Secondary (Years 7 -12)

Copyright © Grow Careers 2019

get a

Bachelor of Education Pathway

Pathways into Teaching in Tasmania This diagram shows the different ways that you can study to become a teacher at the University of Tasmania. You can either do a Bachelor of Education or a non-education bachelor degree followed up by a Master of Teaching. There are alternative pathways for those who do not achieve the required ATAR. This is by completing a Diploma of University Studies (Education) or the University Preparation Program.

Early Childhood (0 - 8 years)

Bachelor of Education

(Early Childhood Education)

4 years

Bachelor of Education (Primary) 4 years

Science & Maths

Primary (Prep -Year 6)

Health & Physical

Education

Bachelor of Education (Science &

Mathematics) 4 years

Bachelor of Education

(Health & Physical

Education) 4 years

Bachelor of Education

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Labour Market What Does This Labour Market Information Mean? Information: The labour market informationEarly Childhood presented suggests that occupations of Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Educator, Teacher Assistant and Teacher may have good job prospects because: Assistant, Teacher • Most jobs in these occupations

Most jobs in the occupations of Early are in two large industry groups Childhood Educator, Teacher Assistant nationally and in Tasmania and are and Teacher are in the Education and expected to employ more people Training Industry or the Healthcare in the future. and Social Assistance Industry.

• A high proportion of the graduates of entry-level courses for these

The Health Care and Social Assistance industry has the largest number of jobs in Australia1 and Tasmania 1 2.

The Education and Training industry is the fifth largest in terms of number of jobs in Australia...

Both of these industry groups are expected to employ more workers in the future.

Employment and Further Study After Graduation The table to the right shows the entry qualifications for Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Assistant and Teacher and the outcomes

on4, 5 after graduati . ... and the third largest

in Tasmania 1 2.

occupations are employed 4-6 months after graduation.

Sometimes events can happen that make labour market forecasts less

Certificate III in Certificate III Bachelor of Education or Early Childhood in Education non-Education bachelor Education and Support degree plus Master of Care Teaching

% of graduates of who are employed 4-6 months after graduation % of graduates in further study

74.5 76.7 93.9

33.5 20.4 5.1

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certain. For example, changes to funding for schools or early learning and childcare centres may affect the number of jobs available for qualified Teachers, Teacher Assistants and Early Childhood Educators. It is important that you do not make a career course decision solely based on the labour market, but it is useful to watch labour market trends as you approach the time when you are looking for a job. 1 https://www.employment.gov.au/australian-jobs-publication 2 https://joboutlook.gov.au 3 https://www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics/data/all-data/vet-graduate-outcomes-by-qualification-20184 https://joboutlook.gov.au 5 https://www.qilt.edu.au

CONTACT For further information

contact the Vocational Learning and Career Education Unit on VLCE@

education.tas.gov.au or 6165 5404

This content was prepared by Dr Catherine Hughes, Career Development Consultant

for Tasmanian Schools and Colleges.

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