Throughout North Holland, pressure on special education is growing due to a teacher shortage. The situation is also dire in primary education. Registrations for the PABO training are not forthcoming and many students stop in the meantime. But who are the students who do choose the teaching profession in these times, and why?
The 32 year old Necip from Hoofddorp is a third year student at Inholland Haarlem. His main reason: “What I get in return is immense and indescribable, it is super rewarding work! You see the children really develop.”
According to Necip, the work as a teacher might be twenty percent math and language. You mainly contribute to the development of children, both in the short and long term. “I ran into a former student, he ran to me to thank me for everything I’ve done for him. If that doesn’t give a positive vibe!”
“I ran into an old student, he ran to me to thank me for everything I’ve done for him”
The Velsense Thanee is 21 years old and has known from an early age that she wants to become a teacher. “I used to be good with children. When I got a babysitting address when I was fourteen, I knew for sure: this is my childhood dream!”
De Velsense is a first-year student at Inholland Haarlem and does an internship in primary education every week. When asked what she likes about the profession, she says wholeheartedly: “Children are always honest and open minded† They say what they think and think what they say, that just makes me happy.”
“What if there are no more teachers in the future, how are today’s children going to take over the next generation of jobs?”
Teacher shortage
Thanee expresses her concern about the teacher shortage: “What if there are no teachers left, how will today’s children take over the next generation of jobs?” She notices that there are fewer registrations and that many students drop out of the program in the meantime.
“I think it’s because you spend a lot of time in school and only do an internship for one day.” Thanee notices that many students hope for more internships and fewer classes. According to her, that is among other things the reason for the interim stop. “It is important to keep your long-term wish in mind during your studies. You cannot immediately stand in front of the class every day.”
Necip advises students who experience problems: “If you run into something during your studies, ring the bell. Teachers always join forces to see how they can help you further.”
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Advice
Thanee also has advice for the training and the internship providers for retaining the PABO students: “Make sure that teachers and internship mentors ‘level up’ with the students. I had an internship mentor, who always drank a beer in the pub on Friday evenings. We were also often on the same page in class, so I enjoyed going to my internship.”
Thanee also offers advice to students considering teacher training: “Once you bond with the children, they are always so happy to see you. I take the heavy workload for granted. The children give me so much positive energy. Every profession has less pleasant things.”
Future teachers
Necip comes across many young people who have the potential to stand in front of the class, but they are still reluctant to take that step. According to the future teacher, this is because of the negative image.
“It would be wonderful to have these young people participate in a sniffer internship. I want to impress upon people: go to the open days, take a walk and do your own research. You will only find out if you take the step and You’ll see how great it is,” he concludes.
