Starting a career in teaching is an investment in the future of young people, but there are many ways to support children’s learning. A background or training in teaching is not the only route into a future in education. People may have transferrable skills perfect for teaching assistant or cover supervisor roles.
Many people miss the skills they have built up over time that have developed organically. Skills individuals already possess or have picked up during other positions can be helpful when considering a career change. The education sector can make the most of transferable skills developed from completely different workplace environments. We’ll look at some transferable skills you may have that could make you the ideal candidate for a new career in the classroom.
Skills that work for Education Careers
Strong Communication
Effective communication is one of the most crucial skills in education, so individuals with strong communication skills have a great start. Someone who can convey information clearly, display active listening and adapt communication styles to various audiences will find these skills transfer well to a classroom setting.
Whether working in a supply teaching role or as a teaching assistant, it is important to be able to talk to students and fellow teachers. It is important to be able to provide instruction, listen to questions and feedback and offer support. Strong communicators possess many skills that support a strong position in a school environment.
Organisational Skills
Schools are lively environments, and with so much going on, it is crucial to stay organised to make sure lessons run smoothly. Regardless of an individual’s background, strong organisational skills prove to be indispensable in a cover supervisor or teaching assistant position. Managing schedules, coordinating resources and creating a well-structured working environment are key skills required by schools.
People from a wide variety of backgrounds, including project management, event planning and administrative roles, often have strong organisational skills. These environments build skills in multi-tasking, prioritising workloads and keeping control of fast-paced workspaces, which are ideal for the classroom.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving
Classrooms are a rapidly changing environment, so individuals who can quickly adapt to change often succeed in teaching roles. Students come into the classroom with various teaching needs, which can bring unexpected challenges. Individuals with strong problem-solving skills can help students make the most of their time in education.
Whether handling a disruptive situation or tailoring support to individual students, people who can adapt quickly will work well as supply teachers. Being able to think on your feet and make informed decisions is an excellent quality for someone to have a successful career in teaching.
Caring Interpersonal Skills
A successful teaching assistant displays concern for others and a genuine interest in the development of young people. Having empathetic interpersonal skills is at the heart of anyone looking to enter the world of teaching. These skills are often natural tendencies but can also be developed over time in nurturing environments.
Teaching assistants, in particular, are important in supporting the emotional well-being of students. People who have a background in building strong relationships, understanding different perspectives and providing compassionate assistance create positive and inclusive environments. Individuals who have worked in healthcare, customer service or other people-centric roles can excel in education careers.
Leadership and Teamwork
Leadership skills benefit so many workplaces, and the classroom can really see the advantages of people who can lead. Leadership is not just valuable for managerial positions; people who have led projects or coordinated teams can become great cover supervisors.
Leaders often have natural skills in management or have been through supervisory or management training. These individuals can promote collaboration and teamwork among students. People who have worked leading teams in other environments can create a positive team ethic to support other teachers and students.
Technology Know-how
It cannot be denied that technology is at the forefront of our day-to-day lives, and this affects classroom activities. If you have developed skills in IT and other technical skills, these will be incredibly helpful in schools. Helping young students with any technology in class or teaching them about the importance of tech in their lives is essential.
Many lesson plans benefit from including multimedia resources to enhance student engagement. Having the ability to use technology and keep up to date with advancements will help schools keep lessons relevant.
Passion for Learning
A genuine passion for learning isn’t something that is saved just for people in the teaching profession. Many people have a thirst for knowledge regardless of their background or work history. That appetite for education is infectious and can inspire students to excel.
Providing students with an inspiration to carry on their learning is essential for cover supervisors, teaching assistants and supply teachers. Growing knowledge is the most important part of any teacher’s role in a school, over and above any other skill.
Don’t Underestimate Your Skills for Education Careers
You may have developed skills through your work history in environments outside of a traditional school setting. You might possess innate skills that come naturally to you and can demonstrate making use of those skills. Transferable skills are an important part of being successful in any role. So, when looking for a career change, look at what successes you have had and how you have achieved them.
Principal Resourcing Can Help Access Your Skills
If you want to pursue a career in education but don’t have previous experience, we can help. We understand what transferable skills work for the schools we work with.
If anything within this article rings true for you, speak to one of our team members who can discuss your skills with you. We run our ‘Get Into the Classroom’ scheme for people who want to work in schools but don’t necessarily have formal teacher training. We’ll take your transferable skills and teach you how to apply them in a classroom setting. We’ll then help you to find positions in schools to build on that experience.
Get in touch with a member of our team, or visit our website to find out more.
