How to become a biology teacher?

Hiya,
I'm thinking of becoming a biology teacher,teaching in a secondary school ,I've always wanted to be a teacher since I was younger. At the mo,I'm studying AS biology, chemistry,physic and art. I was just wondering how do I get into teaching? I know that you would have to complete a degree in biology, but what do you do after?

And can anyone who has experience of teaching in secondary school tell me what's it like and basically stuff like that.

Any help would be appreciated :biggrin:

Thanx

Sarah xxx

Reply 1

sexysax

There are a few threads in this forum talking about ways to get into teaching. You'd basically need to do a teacher training course..but look around for more info..I'm not an expert :rolleyes:

Reply 2

sierraleone

I don't think a biology degree would be totally necessary but definately helpful.

I think places like York do Biology and Education, which I presume would point you more towards a career in teaching. But you can always try for something called TeachFirst which gives you two years teaching in either London or Manchester I think, which might be a good experience to have before dedicating your life to teaching.

No doubt there are other ways too, like taking a PGCE or something, but perhaps ask your younger teachers how they got into it?

Reply 3

Super-Star

I hate to disagree but some sort of a science/biology based degree is essential - otherwise you will have very little subject knowledge.

There are a few ways to go about it but there are two common routes:

1) Taking a degree (either 3 or 4 years) that combines teaching and science and when you graduate you are a teacher. This has the advantages of giving you lots of classroom experience over a long period of time.

2) Taking a bog standard science degree and then taking a one year pgce course to train you in teaching. This is the most popular option (and the cheapest.) Its also has the advantage that if you decided teaching wasnt for you, you would still have a bio. degree which you could use to get a job unrealted to teaching.

The best website for info is the www.tda.gov.uk. It has all the links and info about being a teacher/getting experience etc. It also has a number you can ring and talk to advisors who will tell you about courses/entry requirements etc. They are very good.

The other poster is right in what he says about asking your teachers for advice. Also ask them if you can help in thier classes to get a feel for teaching. Perhaps when a year 7 class is doing a practical you could help them or something like that.

Reply 4

santogold

Indeed, you need a science degree. The best thing to do is get a degree that covers more than one science. That makes you more employable and also gives you better chances to get on a PGCE course.

Reply 5

quintsy

I agree that taking a Science degree is a good idea. While some people may claim it isn't necessary, I often sit in science lessons- especially Biology, and wonder how my teacher knows all of those facts. It helps that you have a keen interest and onvious dedication, but a degree course would be useful to help reinforce that.

Like people have said, it would also increase your chances of getting onto the PGCE, as you are will be specialised.

Good luck!