I hear it more and more around me. Becoming a teacher and the retraining that adults tackle to eventually get that coveted diploma to be able to stand in front of the class. Let me state first; it doesn't suit me. I don't feel comfortable in front of the class and actually prefer a conference room with a table, chairs and board members around it for a good discussion. But I do have enormous respect for those who choose this!
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That 'standing in front of the class' makes me feel very uncomfortable. The same feeling I had when I stepped out of my comfort zone to stand in front of a large group of bloggers and give a presentation. That 'standing' makes it uncomfortable for me. I have the feeling that people look up to me and that makes me warm. While in the past I liked nothing more than to discuss the right solutions within a company with board members. An advisory and guiding role within companies to streamline processes and achieve growth suits me perfectly. Especially if I can do this from an equal position (namely with each other at the table). But standing in front of the class? New.
I find it all the more fun to hear the passion of others who do this with great pleasure. Adults who – after having completed a certain career – realize that they actually prefer to do something else. Namely teaching to involve children or young adults in their learning process.
One of MamsatWork's first bloggers, Geja, has at one point been retrained as a teacher. I don't know anymore whether she has completed a higher vocational education teacher training course, or whether she became a teacher through retraining in another way. But that doesn't matter. What has stayed with me is how passionate she was about this.
Two of my friends from our group of friends are also teachers. One comes from the research industry and has decided to become a teacher in addition to her research work, she has not done any retraining in my opinion. And the other has been a teacher since I've known her. She has already made the decision from the beginning to stand in front of the class.
That's the question I've asked myself in the past. This question, of course, stems from the fact that I view the whole of being a teacher from my own perspective. And given the fact that I can feel quite embarrassed, that may not be the right perspective.
By the way, I come to this subject because a friend of ours has also indicated that he wants to become a (part-time) teacher. And that seems to suit him so very well! He comes from business and has been in banking for decades. With his vast experience, I think he can teach a lot of young adults a lot. By the way, did you know that the term hybrid teacher was coined for this? I think he's genius 😉 .
A hybrid teacher is therefore someone who, in addition to his regular profession, also teaches a number of hours a week. You do not always have to have a diploma for this. If you teach as a subject teacher for a maximum of 4 hours a week, this is possible without a diploma. You will then teach under the supervision of a teacher who does have a diploma. Do you want to teach more hours a week, for example 1 or 2 days a week in addition to your regular job? Then you are obliged to obtain a license within 2 years. You may also teach yourself during those 2 years.
You can also shorten a teacher training course if you meet certain conditions. For example, if you have already gained sufficient work experience and want to make a career switch. Or if you, as a lateral entrant, want to become a teacher through retraining. You do need an HBO or university diploma. Do you only have a VWO diploma in your pocket? Even then, there are options at several Pabo's to do a shortened teacher training course, I read on the website of the Government.
But I think the fact remains that you have to have a certain passion for this profession to be able to perform it well. In a different way even than for any other function. After all, you are in a position to teach the future of the Netherlands. So don't get retrained for all the days off, but become a teacher because the feeling for teaching comes from your toes. In the latter case you will surely become a very good one!
Is it something for you to retrain as a teacher?
