First, Aberdeen City Council offered to pay tuition fees for staff who fancied a go at becoming a Primary School Teacher.
Then it was free accommodation for six months for anyone who’d take up teaching in Moray.
Now, in the latest bid to tackle a shortage of teachers, local authorities in Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, Orkney and Shetland are to hold a summit, led by Aberdeen City Council.
The event on October 7, backed by The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), will see a get-together of Scottish Government ministers and the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
The teacher shortage has been exacerbated in recent years by low application numbers for jobs against ever-increasing numbers of pupils.
It’s hoped the summit will kickstart a fresh drive that will boost recruitment and retention at a national level.
We thought we’d do our bit, too, at s1jobs and so to help inspire more bright young things and sparkling experienced peeps into education, we hereby present The High Five Reasons to Become a Teacher!
- You’ll love your job
There is no other profession, with the singular exception of medicine that offers so much job satisfaction. Whether you are a Maths Professor, a Nursery Assistant or a Headteacher, when you can impart knowledge and life skills that you know will help a child take positive steps in life, the feeling of having made a difference is incomparable.
- It’s good for you
The passion you have for your particular subject will not only inspire and motivate your students, it will re-energise you every day. It’s a two-way exchange. There are few jobs where you can feel rejuvenated and engaged simply by sharing your knowledge.
Oh, and it can help keep you young: hanging out with students all day means you are hip to the trip, connected to current events and trends. Imagine being the only one of your friends who can use actually all of the apps on their phone!
- It offers success
The very best Primary or Secondary School Teacher, College Lecturer or Tutor brings out the very best in their students. But when your students do well, and this is reflected in their results, your institution does well. And when you help your employer do well, you get the chance to build your own career all the way to Headteacher, Senior Lecturer or even Dean.
- You can help shape the future
James Bond baddies try it but usually fail in a large explosion. Politicians try it every day, to very little effect but a lot of bad press. You, however, will succeed! Teachers always get to have a say in the future of the world. By influencing the next generation through sharing your knowledge, ethics and, hopefully, a great big sense of fun, you can become not just the leader of your classroom but a bona fide world leader.
- The summer is all yours
Yes, we might as well admit it; after all, it’s generally acknowledged as the number one perk of being a teacher. Who can ever deny the best part about becoming a teacher is . . . “getting all those holidays”?