Teachers are in short supply: Candidates from other backgrounds are available to teach

Interviews are being held this week by the Versailles rectorate with those who have not yet passed the National Education competitions.

Teachers are in short supply: Candidates from other backgrounds are available to teach

Interviews are being held this week by the Versailles rectorate with those who have not yet passed the National Education competitions. The "selected" teachers will be employed as contract workers and may take the National Education competitions at a later stage. Five of them testify.

"After fifteen years working in the business world as a translator and writer, I felt the need to give meaning to life," says Latifa. They met Monday at the "job dating" event at the rectorate Versailles.

She "took the plunge" and in March she received a "conventional break" to "focus (s) on (s] a retraining". She plans to teach English in college, highschool, or vocational school after completing her higher education.

"I don’t want to feel insignificant anymore. It's been a long dream of mine to be able to teach, so now is the time! This dynamic woman hopes to start teaching on September 1, says she.

When asked about her salary loss ("half") she replied that it didn't bother her. If it's to do work that reflects my values, then I'm willing to make sacrifices.

Anna, who is fluent in French, says that she was hired as a Russian language assistant at a high school in Val-d'Oise when she arrived from Russia in September last year.

The Russian situation "pushes" Anna to remain in France. Anna, who has a bachelor's degree in French-Russian translation from her native country, says that it is impossible to return to Russia.

"Teaching in France is a dream, and the opportunity to be a contract teacher here can be a great stepping stone for people like myself.

Jonathan, an engineer in Telecoms who teaches at the high school alongside his job, says that although I am not old, I have worked for five companies as an engineering manager and decided to continue this tradition.

His dream was? "Teaching economics and management in a technological high-school." "It's not pretentious, but it can be very instructive to the students to have an experienced teacher in the private sector," declares the young man. He says he is "extremely motivated" by the field and wants to "start at the beginning".

"My entourage is concerned about me regarding the loss of my salary. But it's so obvious that we can halve our salary, no problem."

Kamel, who is looking for a job at the Yvelines, says, "With a degree as mechanical engineer in my pocket I think I have a shot to get a job teaching math because there are so many needs for next school year."

"After many years working in the automotive industry, I decided to take a break. When Pole Emploi approached me about this "job dating" opportunity, I was thrilled. Kamel says that he had been considering teaching for a while.

He claims he is aware of the differences between teaching and his work in the private sector. He is however "convinced" that anything is possible if you are motivated.

Amina says, "I taught six years at a college in Algeria so education, that's what I know." The young woman, who arrived in France in 2018 and had many experiences in extracurricular activities, says, "I prefer to go to kindergarten or elementary school, as they better meet my expectations."

"It is a motivating idea to teach. It is something I miss so much that I can't pass up the last-minute recruiting opportunity."

"I'm hoping it works as soon the school year starts. If all goes according to plan, I will be able to take the exam within a few years.