Do something that matters
The campaign, 'Do something that matters,' is an initiative by Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) in close collaboration with individual universities, including Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and will be visible throughout the country. With inspiring and engaging quotes such as "There are too many coaches but too few teachers," the campaign aims to encourage people to view the teaching profession in a fresh perspective. It focuses on the fact that as a teacher, you can truly make a difference in young people's lives. Teaching is a profession that offers purpose, passion, and personal growth; qualities that much of today's society is seeking.
High demand for academically trained teachers
There is particularly high demand for university-trained teachers in primary- and secondary education. School boards increasingly recognize the added value of academically trained teachers. With their subject knowledge and research-oriented mindset, they help students and schools progress, for example by providing education based on recent scientific research. Anne Fleur Kortekaas, program director of the Educational Master's in Primary Education (EMPO) at the VU, says: "There are many opportunities to become a teacher through an academic teacher training programme, both at bachelor's and master's level. We work closely with schools and school boards, both in and outside of Amsterdam. University-trained teachers bring specialized knowledge to schools, making school teams more diverse. This is important, as the challenges of contemporary education are complex and require more than one perspective."
Many pathways to becoming a teacher
Are you interested in becoming a teacher? The VU offers various pathways to the teaching profession, whether you want to work in primary or secondary education. Explore all the options to pursue an academic teacher training programme at VU via https://vu.nl/nl/onderwijs/meer-over/universitaire-lerarenopleidingen (programmes are taught in Dutch only).