The power of combining teaching and research: greater than the sum of its parts
I teach maths and economics three days a week, and for the other two days, I work for as a senior research associate at the National Institute of Teaching. This combination not only makes me better at both, but I also genuinely love it and wouldn't change it for the world.
Here's why. First, I'll discuss why it's so rewarding for a teacher to engage in research. Then, I'll explain why it's equally rewarding for a researcher to be involved in teaching.
I love the excitement of a successful lesson
Teaching is a passion of mine – I love the excitement of a successful lesson and the intellectual challenge of figuring out why another one may not have gone as planned. However, I found full-time teaching to be not only exhausting but, at times, frustrating as well. Many experienced colleagues have thoughts on how we can improve teacher recruitment, training, and professional development. Some even lead teacher training in our school. However, I noticed that it's difficult for them, as it was for me, to find the bandwidth, time, or opportunity to research their burning questions. I feel incredibly fortunate that when an idea arises in my school about potential improvements, I know that I will have time to work on it later in the week. Additionally, as a part-time researcher, I can wake up later two days a week, complete my chores from home, and work at a different intensity compared to my time at school. Although I don't have full-time teacher holidays, I'm genuinely happier spreading out my downtime.
I enjoy the intellectual freedom of chasing ideas
Research is another passion of mine. I enjoy the intellectual freedom of chasing ideas, learning new things, problem-solving, and discussing novel concepts with like-minded individuals. However, I found that full-time research led to a kind of existential malaise, where my ideas seemed to circulate among people like me. At the end of the working week, I missed the feeling of genuinely putting my back into my work, as teaching forces you to do. So, I contacted my old principal and asked if I could come back part-time. Not only do I love teaching and find my students wonderful (most of the time), but I also learn more about supporting teachers daily than I could through a month of reading research. After all, why interview teachers about what would improve their job when you can experience it first-hand?
I highly recommend this balanced approach. My working week consists of three days of intense teaching and marking, followed by two days to decompress, consider the big picture, and work towards system-level improvements. Admittedly, working part-time during school holidays can be challenging, but nothing is perfect. The benefits of combining teaching and research far outweigh the drawbacks, creating a fulfilling and productive professional experience.
We are actively encouraging existing teachers and school-leaders to apply for roles with us.