This year I was (finally) able to join pedagogical studies which I shall refer to as teacher studies between friends. Completing these studies means I’ll be qualified to apply to English teacher positions at different levels of education (although I can’t say that teaching children has ever been my calling).
I’ve applied to similar studies before first after completing my master’s degree and more recently after completing my PhD. However, these study positions are competitive and I lacked teaching work experience to be accepted. I also couldn’t apply to teacher studies intended for uni staff because by the time the application deadlines closed, I still didn’t know whether I was going to be employed at my university again and therefore able to, you know, participate in the studies. Now I’m a student at the JAMK University of Applied Sciences and aim to complete my studies as quickly as possible – after all, I’ve waited for this opportunity for a long time!
What’s really great about this is that a lot of my teaching so far has been mostly survival and trying to do justice to existing teaching materials. Basically, I haven’t had the time or opportunity to really reflect on myself or my goals as a teacher, or critically assess what I’m teaching and how, or create something truly mine (based on theory and knowledge of pedagogy). I expect the studies to not only give me some tools to use as a teacher, but also a chance to really think about what I’m doing and why, and who I want to become as a teacher. Of course all this time I’ve been genuinely trying my best and directly and indirectly learning from my colleagues, but dedicating oneself to improve a specific skillet while receiving support from others is different. The support part is especially significant – teaching is pretty independent work, in the end. You can’t ask a colleague every single time something unexpected happens, and nobody is there to watch and judge how you teach, or to give advice. I’ve been figuring out a lot of (practical) things on my own. The studies are possibly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to really have a group of people helping each other progress and become the best teachers they can be.
I’m also returning to teach at uni in the fall, this time as an hourly paid teacher, which is a little different. (I truly need to manage my time well so that I’m not doing too much “free work” – without any reduction in quality.) I’m returning to two classes I’ve taught before and picking up two new ones, which are both exciting prospects. However, as I haven’t signed the work contract yet, I don’t want to think about this TOO much right now. But it’s pretty awesome I’m teaching while undergoing my teacher studies so that I can have an active process of simultaneous learning and putting what I’ve learned to practice… To the extent that is possible/realistic!