Recruitment campaign targets science, technology, engineering and maths
Leith Academy Biology teacher Natalie Finlayson has joined the Scottish Government’s Teaching Makes People campaign. She recently visited the University of Edinburgh to encourage students to consider a career in STEM teaching.
The ‘Teaching Makes People’ campaign targets university undergraduates studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects as well as people currently working in STEM industries.
The campaign is based on research showing people attracted by and suited to teaching are generally motivated by helping to develop others and making the most of their own knowledge. It builds on the success of last year’s ‘Inspiring Teachers’ campaign which saw a 19% increase in applications for education post graduate diplomas (PGDE) at Scottish universities compared to the previous year.
The Scottish Government is firmly committed to maintaining teacher numbers, and are investing £88 million this year alone to recruit and retain teachers across the country. This is in addition to our work with GTC Scotland and universities to develop new ways to attract people into the profession, supported with £1 million from our Attainment Scotland Fund.
As part of the ‘Teaching Makes People’ campaign, the Scottish Government is visiting universities in Scotland which offer PGDE courses: the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands and Islands, Strathclyde, and the West of Scotland. These visits have also involved current STEM teachers who have spoken to students about their experiences of STEM teaching.
Natalie Finlayson (above), Biology Teacher at Leith Academy, recently visited the University of Edinburgh. She said: “One of the most important things about being a science teacher is being able to show my enthusiasm for the subject. When the pupils see how passionate you are about your subject then they start to care too.
“I don’t think that at any point I’ve taught the same lesson twice. Even though you’re teaching the same curriculum every year, it doesn’t mean you have to teach it the same way. Every pupil and class have different needs and, just because it worked with one class, doesn’t mean your method will work every time so you have to be creative and adaptable in your lessons. It’s exciting that every day is different and working with young people can be challenging but I think that’s a good thing. They give you the drive you need to better yourself and better their learning.
“If you’re interested in STEM teaching, the best thing to do is get into a classroom and observe some teachers in action. That way you’ll get a feel for the job and know if you’d find it as fun as I do.”
Teaching Makes People will be attending the Edinburgh Graduate Recruitment Fair on Tuesday 30th May at Pleasance Sports Hall.
For more details about becoming a teacher in Scotland, visit www.teachinscotland.scot
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