Casual teaching—insane idea?
Hi teachers!
I'm a mid-career freelance communications professional considering enrolling in a teaching degree. I'd like to teach English at high-school level, but I wouldn't be seeking a permanent teaching position. Instead, I'd be looking for casual teaching jobs, just filling in here and there as a way of supplementing my freelance income and doing something new and challenging.
I've been doing a bit of reading about teaching careers and it sounds like casual teaching roles are pretty plentiful, but I'd love to hear from people who are actually in the education system about the realities of the work.
If you're willing, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the following:
- Is there any point in someone like me (mid 40s, non-education background) completing a teaching degree, given that there's a steady supply of new, younger grads available?
- How difficult is it to secure casual teaching positions in metropolitan Sydney?
- Because I'm already established with work and family in Sydney, I don't have the option of taking on a rural placement, which I know is a smart pathway for teachers looking for permanency in the public system. Will this matter if I'm only pursuing casual opportunities?
- I've heard that there's an oversupply of English teachers. Is this true, and would this impact on my ability to secure casual work? I've also read that being willing to teach outside your subject area increases your potential as a casual—how does this work?
- Is this (casual teaching only) an insane idea? And, does a few years of casual teaching potentially lead to permanent work down the track, if that was a route I eventually decided to pursue?
TIA for taking the time to read. I would really value your insights.