Physics teacher (Docent natuurkunde)
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A physics teacher is responsible for giving physics lessons to pupils or students, which depends on the training institute. Physics is a science in which the general properties of matter, radiation and energy are investigated. A physical theory is never an inviolable truth, because new observations can be made, which can change the insight. Physics should not be confused with chemistry, because physics works with substances whose molecular composition cannot change, other than by melting or evaporating the substances. Although physics is not one of the easiest subjects at school, it is an important subject within the various professions. In short, physics can best be described as the investigation of non-living nature. Living nature belongs to biology. It is the physics teacher who will teach students everything about physics during physics lessons. Exactly which subject matter a physics teacher will cover during physics lessons depends on the type of school at which the physics teacher teaches. Physics is a beautiful field that must be seen very broadly, because physics occurs in practice in different ways. Consider, for example, future applications of solar energy, hydrogen and wind turbines to solve the energy problem. Physics is a science, which can relate to different fields of study. Think, for example, of acoustics, biophysics, meteorology and fluid dynamics. As a physics teacher you must have didactic skills, but inspiration can also be regarded as an important competence. Coaching students also generally plays an important role as a physics teacher.
A physics teacher is therefore responsible for giving physics lessons to pupils or students. As described earlier, physics should not be confused with chemistry or biology, because these are other sciences. There are many professions in which physics plays an important role. The exact importance of physics will generally depend heavily on the education received, the study and the specific profession. As a physicist, there will usually be an interaction between theory and conducting experiments. In most cases, a theory means that experiments have to be carried out to prove or investigate the theory. Within physics, innovation plays an important role. By innovating, engineers make it possible to make new techniques possible. Think, for example, of increasingly better solar panels, better wind turbines and electric vehicles, which are better for the environment. In addition, physics plays an important role in building physics, meteorology and fluid dynamics. Physics has everything to do with movement, forces, heat, liquids, gases and light.
WORKING AS A PHYSICS TEACHER
As a physics teacher, you can provide physics lessons at different levels. At VMBO or MBO schools, this usually concerns the simpler physics lessons, in which you will explain, for example, that no mobile phones and computers can be made without physics, and you are responsible for making test setups. Another example is explaining what electricity is exactly and how you can weld by means of electricity. General lessons in quantities and units are also part of the work of a physics teacher. Quantities refers to everything you can measure, such as weight and temperature. For example, units refer to kilograms, grams, centimeters, degrees, or Fahrenheit. Without quantities and units, it is not possible to calculate or express things in understandable language. As a physics teacher, it is important that you also have the necessary knowledge of chemistry and mathematics.
WHAT DOES A PHYSICS TEACHER DO:
COURSES TO BECOME A PHYSICS TEACHER
Those who want to work as a physics teacher can choose from various national training options. However, there is a big difference between a first-degree or second-degree teacher. With the first-degree physics course you can teach all classes at different levels. With the second-degree programme, you can teach in practical education, VMBO and lower secondary education (classes 1 to 3) of HAVO and VWO. In addition, you may teach students in vocational education and adult education (ROC). Most people are familiar with the so-called Pabo training to become a teacher. This training is now officially called "training for primary school teachers", and is a course at hbo level and can be followed both full-time and part-time. A course at the Pabo generally takes four years, depending on your previous education. There are more than forty so-called Pabo courses in the Netherlands. In exceptional cases, teacher training in primary education can also be completed more quickly. In addition, there is the possibility to teach as a lateral entrant with a higher professional education. It is important that you still get your qualification as a teacher, by following extra courses that will generally take two years. The training to become a first-degree physics teacher is possible in various ways. If you are already a second-degree physics teacher, you can automatically move on to the first-degree programme. In addition, there is the possibility to choose a direct education at hbo level or university level. There are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A PHYSICS TEACHER CAN WORK
As a physics teacher, you will in many cases work in secondary vocational education, secondary education or adult education. In a primary school, economics teachers are a lot less common, which of course does not mean that this is not possible. In that case, we are more likely to speak of a primary school teacher. A primary school teacher should rather be seen as an all-round teacher, who will teach various subjects.
COMPETENCES PHYSICS TEACHER
The most important competence of a physics teacher is that a physics teacher has didactic skills. In addition, a physics teacher must have the necessary professional knowledge of physics. Communication in general can also be seen as an important competence, because a physics teacher can have to deal with many different pupils, students and carers. In addition, motivating, inspiring and coaching can be regarded as important competencies. Generally important words are passion, energy, independence, stress resistance, predominance, flexibility, planning, organizing and controlling. Obviously, a physics teacher has to deal with fixed professional competences that are all learned during the training.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A PHYSICS TEACHER
Finding work as a physics teacher is usually no problem at all. Whether you have the first-degree or second-degree qualification does not make much difference to the chance of employment. It is true that with the first-degree programme you naturally have many more opportunities as a physics teacher. Most schools or educational institutions are eager for qualified teachers. Growing as a physics teacher should be seen in obtaining your first-degree qualification and further specializations in education. A possible additional position as a physics teacher can be the position of mentor. Working as a dean or as a career counsellor may also be possible, depending on the type of school where the physics teacher works.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OF PHYSICS TEACHER
As a teacher, your employment conditions are well regulated and laid down in the collective labour agreement, in which all employment conditions are regulated. Education has various advocates who are committed to education, such as the general education union. The salary as a physics teacher is determined on the basis of fixed scales that are used in education. Exactly what scale someone ends up in strongly depends on the type of school and/or whether the teacher has a first-degree or second-degree qualification. But experience and years of service also play an important role in determining the salary. The salary as a physics teacher will usually be between 2200 and 4600 euros gross per month, depending on the type of school, diplomas, age, experience and responsibilities.
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