Thinking of doing a PGCE and would really appreciate your help...

When I started my English degree back in 2005, in fact, when I applied for it in 2004, the reasons I chose it were as follows, (in no particular order, other than as I dredge them out of my foggy memory):

1. I was good at English (the subject that is, I'd been fairly decent at the language from about 3 years old). I'd received an A at AS level, and had just secured an A at A level (lots of "A's" in that sentence... Yeah I was pretty good ;))

2. I had had some incredible teachers:

• First and foremost my favourite had been Mrs Jones - an enthusiastic, exciting, fun, strict, kind, lovable, batty, and genuinely interesting lady who had seemed to love the subject and started in me a growing interest in it. I've never forgotten the "their, there and they're" differences thanks to her. 
• I then had a teacher who seemed the polar opposite...  I'll not name her, but anyone who was taught by this teacher, in her monotone, uninterested, and, I hate to use the word, boring, way knows who I'm talking about (how did that woman teach top set?!), thankfully I got through GCSEs with a B, and must have enjoyed enough to take it at A level, and hallelujah 🙌 I had great teachers again - 
• Mr Young-Powell (who after months of only hearing, not reading, his name, I was convinced his name was "yung-pow" and that he had a very hidden Chinese background) - he had a fantastic sarcastic humour to him (can you tell I like that kind?😉) and again seemed genuinely interested in the subject - plus he told us watching the BBC's Pride and Prejudice would be a good start to revision on the book (it really is an amazing adaptation - Keira Knightly version - ugh! No! Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth all the way!). And finally,
• Miss Munt - newly qualified, so lovely and kind, and became a friend whilst in 6th form (I was probably only about 4 years younger than her!!) she was also a great teacher and had a newly qualified enthusiasm that we were lucky enough to get the best of. 

3. I did genuinely enjoy reading. I had been a massive bookworm since I could sound out letters in a very Welsh accent (I was taught in a fully Welsh primary and secondary school). I used to devour dozens of books over the summer, more than I've probably read in the entire 8 years since I finished my degree (I still enjoy reading, but never seem to just pick up a book these days!)

4. A friend of mine told me about the University of the West of England (UWE) and their English course, where in the third year you could do a "Children's Fantasy Fiction" module - SOLD! 

5. I was vaguely interested in becoming an English teacher. 

This final reason was something that dwindled and then died because, and I quote myself here, "I don't really like teenagers".  For years after my degree, this was my go-to response when someone asked if I was interested in teaching English. 

BUT... The reason for my blog post today is that something has changed in the last few months... I'm not sure exactly what's done it, maybe turning 30 and rethinking my lack of career (I was wanting to get into publishing originally after my degree, but that died a death when I moved to Sunderland - not many publishing houses there!) I have in the past 8 years been doing random administration jobs, and most recently Tesco, these were, in the early days, just the ones available, and then after I had my kids, the jobs that fit around children. 
Someone recently asked me about the degree/teaching thing, and I went to give usual "don't like teenagers" response,  but realised that's not actually true anymore! I like the ones I know - in fact, having 5 teenage nieces and nephews, one could even say I love a fair few! Also, at the church I attend, I recently got assigned to help with the 12-18 year old girls, and I really enjoy being with them, I enjoy their crazy banter and enthusiasm for life. 

So yes... I'm rethinking the teaching avenue. It started off as a vague interest, died a death for a good 7-8 years, started to flicker again, and is growing into a genuine desire and passion to want to do it. I want to be a Mrs Jones to a new, shy girl who wouldn't "say boo to a goose" (yes I'm describing me as an 11 year old - honestly that's what I was like... On a side note, who the hell would say boo to a goose!? Those things are evil, startling one is the last thing anyone should do - I can say that from having been chased by the mean beggars numerous times!)
I'd love to be that Miss Munt or Mr Young-Powell inspiring a 16/17 year old who is trying to figure out what to do with her (or his - not planning an all girls' school!) life. 

It wouldn't be until next September when little JJ gets his funded nursery, but until then, my question to you is... Do you teachers out there enjoy it? Are you glad you're a teacher? Knowing now the life it entails, would you have done your PGCE when you did? I know it is ridiculously hard work, but overall is it worth it? 

For any non teachers out there, please oh please, will you share this with your teacher friends? They don't have to read my random ramblings, but if they could comment on this, or my Facebook post with their opinion, I really do want to know the "real world" experience - even better if you know English teachers! 

Thanks all... Now I better go back over this and proof read it to death before I get comments like "you can't even write properly, don't teach our children!"