Author: Erhan E. — father of four, education volunteer and former teacher. He now works in the IT sector.
My Teaching Journey and the PGCE: Would I Take the Same Path Again?
Having lived in this country for more than 15 years, married and with four children, I spent many years involved in education and one-to-one tuition. In 2018 I made a big decision: to formally enter the teaching profession. That decision led me to the PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education). Even though I now work in IT, my answer to the question “If I could start again, would I take this path?” is very clear: yes, I would do the PGCE again. It was a demanding process, but it was worth everything it gave me.
A Difficult Start
When I decided to apply for a PGCE, you still had to pass computer-based English and maths skills tests. Low demand for teaching had led to some bureaucratic hurdles being removed. But because few people I knew had been through the process before, I had to research every step on my own.
Learning through mistakes and trial and error wasn't easy. So that others wouldn't face the same difficulties, I made short videos explaining the process step by step and shared them, especially with trainee teachers who were new to the country. In the WhatsApp groups we set up, more than 30 people have now successfully completed their PGCE.
Why I Went into Teaching
When I started, I had neither financial expectations nor dreams of an easy journey. I set out wanting to make a difference to young people and contribute to their lives. With the values we grew up with, I chose this profession believing that teaching has a very special place in society.
After being accepted, an intense period began: four days a week in school and one day at university. The lesson observations and feedback were extremely valuable for my development. At first they were challenging, but over time I realised they are a tool built into the nature of teaching, there to support your growth.
If you're someone who values recognition, constant criticism like “this was missing, that was missing” can be demoralising at first. But once you understand that it's part of the job and its purpose is to help the trainee improve, you approach the process in a healthier way.
Real Teaching: An Art Beyond Maths
Because I was good at maths, I thought teaching was about solving hard problems. But over time I realised that teaching is the art of simplifying knowledge to children's level and breaking it into small, digestible pieces.
This realisation became clear towards the end of my PGCE and during the two years I spent at a state school.
Is the PGCE Easy to Complete?
The PGCE isn't easy, but the system aims to see those who stick with it through to qualification. If you attend school regularly, can manage your stress and can connect with the children in the classroom, you can qualify unless something goes seriously wrong. After all, there is a serious teacher shortage in the country, and the profession isn't seen as attractive as it once was.
Job Hunting Before You Finish
Between February and April, even before you qualify, you should be ready for work and start applying. That's when schools plan their staffing for the next year. I received an offer from one of the schools I applied to during that period and taught there for about two years.
Why Would I Do It Again?
As someone who came to this country later in life, I always had the question “Do I really understand this society?” in my mind. Teaching gave me a real answer. Working with a cohort of 80 trainee teachers and getting to know state schools, the children and the system up close helped me grow enormously.
As a father of four, the experience was also invaluable for getting to know the schools my children would attend and seeing the environments they would be in.
So Why Did I Leave?
During Covid, when our landlord wanted to sell the house, the question “Can you buy a house on a teacher's salary?” came up. The answer was clear: it's hard. My head of maths had said something similar: “If your partner doesn't work, it's not possible.”
There was no single reason behind my decision to leave teaching, but there were a few key factors. Perhaps I'll cover this in more detail in another blog post. In short, though, teaching in this country is really hard. The burden of the education system is left largely on teachers' shoulders. And the young people we work with are, in my view, among the most indulged in the world.
Teaching had become less about educating children and more about managing moment-to-moment crises and a kind of childminding. Not being able to be as useful to these young people as I had hoped was one of the main reasons I moved away from teaching.
At the same time, there was a real surge in activity and demand in the IT sector. Thanks to my maths skills and openness to learning, I made the move into that field.
Conclusion
Teaching is a demanding but very special profession. In writing this blog, I wanted both to share my own journey and to offer a little guidance to those thinking of taking this path. If you're preparing for a PGCE or have questions, I'd be happy to help.