self confidence

Training to become a teacher through a SCITT is perfect for people of all ages, from recent graduates who have always known that they want to teach, to those in their forties, fifties and even sixties who are looking for a more fulfilling career.

It’s easy to think that people who are barely out of school themselves have the advantage due to being more familiar with modern trends, yet there are so many factors that work in favour of older generations and complement the role of an educator. Below are a few examples in case you’re worrying that your age will negatively affect your success in the world of teaching.

Life experience

The most obvious point is that the older you get, the more life experience you gain. From working in various jobs over the years and moving around (which is a great way to respond to new environments), to usually finding it easier to make friends and get along with a range of personality types, it’s amazing how life helps us to naturally adapt to unique circumstances.

Happier and more self-confident

As we get older, we tend to lose much of our negativity and stop constantly finding flaws in our own looks, behaviour and abilities. Simultaneously, we increase in self-control and look for more opportunities to help others, which in turn boosts self-esteem and makes us more capable of finding satisfaction in small wins as well as major accomplishments.

Brain plasticity

The phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” has been abandoned as poppycock. In fact, the brain continues to produce fresh neurons and is able to reshape its functionality according to the information it assimilates. This means that middle-aged people are often able to adapt to change even faster than their younger counterparts, as their grey matter is more accustomed to transforming in response to its environment.

What’s more, whilst younger people use only one side of their brain for specific tasks, age results in both hemispheres being able to tackle a problem together, which is called bilateralisation. The result is greater power of reasoning and enhanced problem-solving skills, which will certainly not go amiss in the classroom.

Prioritisation

Becoming a teacher further down the path of life means that you’ll most likely have ticked a lot of boxes on your to-do list. You’re probably married and have kids of your own, along with a mortgage, a comfortable financial situation and a fair few travels under your belt. You will of course still have goals and dreams, but they’ll be easier to incorporate into a hectic work schedule, therefore allowing you to focus on career development without worrying about juggling too many things at once.

Higher work satisfaction

Because you’ve either had a few jobs over the years or worked in another sector for as long as you can remember, moving to a vibrant, interesting and valuable new career will prove incredibly rewarding. It’s certainly not a case of being able to sit back and put your feet up, as teaching comes with its fair share of challenges and stress, but your role as a worldly-wise educator will make everything very worthwhile, not to mention a lot of fun.

Are you entering a career in teaching a little later in life? Let us know about your experiences through social media by tagging in #BigPinkFish

When it Comes to Teaching, Age is Just a Number