Career Changing into Music Teaching in Schools

An empirical evaluation survey from the perspective of career changer students and educa-tional institutions

Abstract

Due to the shortage of teachers in German-speaking countries, lateral entry models into the teaching profession are highly topical, and music is one of the school subjects particularly affected. Preconditions, training and qualification models and employment situations are characterised by great heterogeneity, and research into alternative routes into the teaching profession is still in its infancy. In Austrian, a post-qualifying Master's programme for career changers in the music teaching profession was carried out between 2018 and 2022 in the model 'Wiener Quereinstieg'. Extensive empirical data material makes it possible to draw conclusions specifically for the subject of music in a retrospective overall evaluation. In addition to the high burden of part-time studies and uncertainties regarding employment, several aspects stand out: the presence of high basic musical competences, the importance of peer learning among the career changers, their high quality demands on teaching and personal learning as well as their appreciation of profession-specific subject content and personal development.