Think back to your own experiences of primary school.Do you remember how crucial it is to have role models when you're a little kid?
You can make a huge difference in children's lives by being someone they can look up to for guidance and inspiration.
Teaching small children is a highly specialised job. It's not all about the alphabet and tables. You also have to learn a lot about psychology, health, sociology, religions and cultures.
The foundations of a lifelong education start when we are very young, so it's important for teachers to love their work.
We now know that both men and women are equally responsible for educating and helping the children of Australia to grow into responsible and intelligent adults.
But some people still believe that primary school teaching is women's work.
Do you know why?
It used to be a lot harder for women to get a good education and then move on to a good job.
Primary school teaching was one of the few acceptable ways for women to learn skills and then earn a living.
This view also ties in with the old-fashioned belief that women were solely responsible for raising children.
The women's work myth isn't the only rumour going around that is preventing young men from considering primary school teaching as a serious career option.
There are some real whoppers you might have heard:
Teaching little kids is boring.
Teachers are just in it for the holidays.
You don't get much money.
You do the same job for years and it never changes.
Primary school teachers are uncool.The reality of primary school teaching is just the opposite.
Satisfaction is not the only reward for doing this job. Primary school teachers face low unemployment.
Less than 2% of primary school teachers are unemployed. Primary school teaching is considered a growth area, which means that you have great career opportunities because there is a big demand for primary school teachers in Australia and overseas. This also means that once you are a qualified teacher, you can travel and work throughout Australia and overseas.
Primary school teachers also have interesting career prospects, and not just in the classroom.
After you have taught in schools for a while, you can go on to become an expert in school administration, government, training and advisory areas. You can also become a specialist teacher and learn about different teaching methods, counselling or ways of teaching young children with special needs.
If you enjoy being around children and you think that going to university to do a specialist degree is what you are looking for, read on.
Check out the facts about what being a primary teacher is all about at Australian Careers.
The average starting wage in NSW after you graduate from university is around $32 000 per year. Your wage increases every year that you are teaching and you can expect to earn around $59 000 per year as a senior teacher. There are opportunities to be promoted to executive teaching positions and principals can earn between $65 000 and $95 000 per year. Promotions to non-teaching and executive positions are also available in the NSW Department of Education and Training.
Contact the NSW Teachers' Federation for information about wages and conditions.
You can research NSW awards on the NSW Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) website
or you can contact the NSW DIR Award Enquiry Service or your local NSW DIR office.WageNet gives you information about Federal awards. You can ask for help by filling in an online enquiry form or you can contact the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) WageLine.
You have to complete a four year degree at university to become a primary teacher, or
you can choose to complete a one year graduate diploma after you have finished your first undergraduate degree.Find more information about university courses in primary school teaching.
Learn more about becoming a primary school teacher in NSW.
Discover how to train as a school counsellor.
teach.NSW Information Centre
255 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2000
(opposite Hyde Park)
Locked Bag 3003
Blacktown NSW 2148
T 1300 300 498
www.teach.nsw.edu.auTeacher Recruitment Unit, NSW Department of Education and Training
Locked Bag 3003
Blacktown NSW 2148
T 1300 300 498
F (02) 9836 9767
www.det.nsw.edu.auThe NSW Teachers Federation
23-33 Mary St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
T (02) 9217 2100
F (02) 9217 2470
www.nswtf.org.auDepartment of Education and Community Services
PO Box 1584
Tuggeranong ACT 2901
T (02) 6205 9163
F (02) 6205 9333
www.decs.act.gov.auThe Board of Studies, New South Wales
This site has lots of educational resources, policy and syllabus information, so you can get an idea of what subjects you'll be teaching kids.
www.bosnsw-k6.nsw.edu.au/
