Attn: Teachers! What are the pros and cons of your job?

[Tasha+Scott]

Hey, everyone! Well, I have really been thinking about going back to school and majoring in elementary education. I took the year off from school last year since I was preg. and I kept changing my major anyway. I am pretty sure that I want to go into teaching. I kind of always have but didn't know if it was worth it since the pay isn't as great as it rightfully should be but now I have decided money isn't everything if you aren't happy with what you are doing. SO I am thinking that I want to go into it afterall. I am going to go to the college either today, tomorrow, or next week sometime and talk to an advisor/counselor about it. I already have quite a few classes under my belt but some of them won't transfer into my major. I guess that's what happens when you change your major too many times! I plan to take online classes so I won't need a babysitter other than when I need to go to the school to take my exams. Anyone on here teach elementary school? Or are you all in secondary education? Either way since I know several of you are teachers I'd like to know what the pros and cons are of your job. I don't care if you teach HS instead of elementary school b/c I may go into secondary education instead if it seems like something I would rather do after hearing about your experiences with it. I am not sure yet. Please share your experiences with me though so I can have some info. of some sort! Thanks!

 

[SherryNC]

I could make a bigger list, but I'll try and sum it up to the biggies.

Huge rewards in helping to guide young minds and showing them how to build a solid foundation that they can build upon.

Obviously the pay, but you know that up front. Politics.

 

[chrissyk]

I'm becoming a high school math teacher after my first career as an engineer. The only thing that I would recommend is majoring in a specific subject area (an IN DEMAND subject area) rather than "secondary ed.". The schools are in desperate need of subject-matter qualified secondary-level teachers. Most states have an accelerated certification program for people who majored in something like straight math or a straight science (or one of the liberal arts majors). I wouldn't major in education as an undergrad because there are a lot of ed. majors competing for the same jobs. I'd get major in something else, get subject-matter qualified, and THEN maybe do a M.Ed. I already have a Masters in something else, or else I would do an M.Ed. myself at this point. There is no point, though...Masters pay is Masters pay here, no matter what your Masters is in.

 

[Laz]

I LOVE being a high school business teacher. Just make sure you have a thick skin and remember that 99% of what the kids do is nothing personal--It's just kids being kids and the imaturity coming out.

Getting your foot in the door is the hardest part. SUB, SUB, SUB. I don't know how much this matters in elementry, but be willing to take on coaching or club moderating to increase your marketability.

Good luck!

 

[Cindy B]

Well, I'm in school for teaching so I can give you a students perspective.

I substitute and was previously an educational assistant for a middle school. I currently work with autistic students in a behavoiral therapist position.

I am getting my certificate in special education. The schools around here require a dual major, so I'm looking into elementary language arts/special education.

From a middle school secondary school standpoint, its hard, very very hard. I had three years of cursing, hitting, and generally poor attitudes from students. I had parents that didn't care and students that told me that their lawyer daddy or mommy could get me fired. This was an affuluent school district at one of the top schools in my district. I got comments about my sex life, body size and my sexual orientation.

The students didn't really care. Of all my special ed students, only about 3 of them did the work. The rest, well, forget it. They just never ever did it. They didn't care either.

We also had a revolving door of administrators this year as well. We had four, yes four different principals come in and leave this year. Many of the teaching staff left as well.

That being said, I love my new position. I do home visits at different clients to help them in a behavioral setting. My students are non verbal autistic elementary age children, that need assistance in verbal actions. Its very hard work but very very very rewarding.

Special ed is very useful nowadays. I've heard that some subject certified teachers are having a tough time finding work. These subjects would be: History, English (to some extent), PE/Health, Music/Vocal and of course subjects like Home Economics, and other specialty courses like that.

Math, Science and some foreign languages are pretty hot right now. Of course, Spanish seems to be the main one in our district. There's not a rush for Latin teachers if that makes any sense.

But our district is hiring special ed teachers hand over fist. In fact one in eight students in our district requires high level of special education services. This is a huge up and coming field here, so I'm glad that I have some couresework towards my cert.

Another one that seems to be of need is ESL, Speech/Language, and Occupational Therapist.

 

[soccerchick]

Okay, off the top of my head...

Cons:
1. working with some difficult people (co-workers, students, parents - but you'll have those in ANY job)
2. Lots of planning/prep work/ time spent grading at nights and on weekends
3. In SOME places, a dismal salary. Where I am, we get a salary I am very happy with. I work part-time, but if I was full-time I'd be making $65K with a master's degree after 13 years.
4. Limited and/or expensive vacation time during the school year.I don't like to take off and leave my students with a sub, so we try to take our family trips during the summer. Doesn't always work out that way ~ life can't happen only in the summer for teachers


Pros:
1. Summers and major holidays off ~ a great job for parents!
2. Although you have a lot of work outside the actual classroom, I can do it at night after my kids and husband are in bed. I do not have to stay at school past my contract hours to grade or plan.
3. I like the renewal aspect of it. Every school year is a new start.
4. I like that while there are routines, every day, every class, every student is different. Definitely NOT a boring job!
5. I am constantly learning and reading for my work.I also know what's cool, what's not and the kids keep me up on elements of pop culture that I think, help keep me young.
6. I feel that my job is worthy one. When I have those rough days (or weeks)I often contemplate a career change to make more $ with less hassle. Just this past weekend, a friend's husband was talking about work and life and made the statement that he just earns a paycheck (although a VERY nice one). That really struck a chord with me.I make an impact on students' lives. I know because they and their parents tell me, especially at the end of the year. When my seniors graduate and come back to visit, that is one of the best compliments ever. This spring alone three former students sent me copies of work they are doing: one wrote and directed a film short, another sent me the inaugural copy of a magazine in NY that she works on and another sent me copies of a sports magazine he writes for regularly. That is cool.

Those are some of the pros and cons off the top of my head...Good luck with your decision!

 

[Blondy876]

I have my P-3 teaching license. That means I am certified to teach preschool to 3rd grade. I love it.

Pros:
Knowing you are laying the foundation for their education to grow on.
Watching as your students have their light bulb moments, when everything becomes clear
The calendar (I work the same days my dd goes to school and am off when she is off, a HUGE pro)
Making a difference

I have taught HS and I have taught elementary. I like elementary because the kids are younger and usually less jaded.

Cons:
The occasionally cranky parent (their numbers have been increasing over the last few years)
Low pay (you know that)
Politics
Funding

Good luck with your choice. You might want to try subbing for a while to get a better feel for it too.

 

[PneumaticTransit]

I am not a teacher, but my cousin was a full time 6th grade algebra teacher for a year in North Carolina. He lasted a year. He said the students didn't care one bit, and could get extremely aggresive an violent (inner city school). He also had two rabbits in his classroom that "mysteriously" broke their necks. He said the parents were the worst though. They down right did not care what their kids did in school - it was the teacher's job to control them and make sure they did the work. He rode out the year, quit, and moved back to Wisconsin. He currently has another a different full time job, but still subs once and a while. He likes subbing much better, and would only consider going back full time if the right opportunity arose in the right school.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I could make a bigger list, but I'll try and sum it up to the biggies.

Huge rewards in helping to guide young minds and showing them how to build a solid foundation that they can build upon.

Obviously the pay, but you know that up front. Politics.

I am a big advocate of paying teachers well. Up here many can make up to 80K a year.... that ain't chicken feed!

 

[Miss Kelly]

I am a big advocate of paying teachers well. Up here many can make up to 80K a year.... that ain't chicken feed!

What a difference between there and here! Teachers start here at around 32,000. They get $700 raises every year though. No wonder we have such a shortage of qualified teachers in my area.

 

[Kallison]

I work in a middle school - I think it is much easier than elem. ed. You teach 5 periods per day and the same thing, over and over. Once you have your lesson plan down you can coast the next year. You have to learn how to manage kids and your classroom most importantly. Cons are the parents, some can be real PITAs. Our teachers start at around $48K and top out at $80-90K. They get FULL salary when they retire. Can't beat that.

 

[Kallison]

I agree with all of soccerchicks pros and cons.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Hmmm...you all have given me a lot to think about but for the most part it still appeals to me. It will be a while before I will finish school since I am also a SAHM and dd is time-consuming to say the least. So I will be doing this at a slower pace than in the past. DD will be in school herself by the time I graduate so I like the idea of having the same schedule as hers. The main thing I am not 100% sure about at this point is whether I want to pursue a degree in elem. ed. or secondary. Right now I am leaning towards elem. b/c I like that age group and I taught preschool for a year so I know a little more what to expect there. But I want to keep my options open as my feelings may change w/more research. I went to the college today and registered to take some of the basic academics that I am lacking and made sure to sign up for classes that will transfer into either elem. or sec. ed. That way I can change my mind w/o losing my credits. I feel good just knowing that I have finally (well, almost) chosen a major that interests me! Thanks so much for the replies. I like to make informed decisions and this is helping me to do just that!

P.S. Papa~ I wish teachers were paid well in our area but they aren't and every time there is a budget cut they are the ones that end up paying! I know when I taught preschool I provided (and paid for) most of my classrooms supplies myself. I am assuming it will be like that after I graduate too. The good news is the cost of living is cheaper here than in a lot of other states so it'll work out somehow.

 

[Grandma Bear]

The best part is impacting lives for the better! You need a sense of humor over 20 of my 39 years in the inner city gang areas and it was rough!

Our stating teachers only get $28,000 a year but we have good medical,dental and vision plans!

Substituting in various schools can give you a real feel for the area because in
most places you have to be in a school for a certain number of years before you can apply for a transfer and my schoolistrict only lets you transfer every five years. I have done all the grades K -8, headstart and preschool. The trick is to find the area you best relate to. As my children's ages changed so
did my grade levels. It's hard to teach a certain age and then go home and deal with it some more.

 

[cindercopper]

It's hard to teach a certain age and then go home and deal with it some more.

Hey....... I was a perfect child!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Hey....... I was a perfect child!

I was too! Isn't it sad how our mothers are always making up stories about us?!

 

[cindercopper]

I was too! Isn't it sad how are mothers are always making up stories about us?!

......... and how hard is it to have a teacher for a mom........lots of stuff you can't get away with - academically speaking that is.....

 

[Tasha+Scott]

......... and how hard is it to have a teacher for a mom........lots of stuff you can't get away with - acamedically speaking that is.....

LOL, my poor dd will be in for it then, won't she!

 

[MinnieM3]

I agree with all of soccerchicks points, too!

I have taught 3rd grade for 15 years. Pay is bad here. Yes, I teach at a Catholic school, but our pay schedule is based on 90% of what we'd make in public school. I have a Masters and 15 years exp. and have JUST hit $40,000. It's hard!

You have to love it! I get thrills smelling newly sharpened pencils and opening pack of loose-leaf paper! I'm always looking for ideas for my classroom in every setting!

Big plus: every year is different. It's never boring! It's fun!(plus all of soccerchicks stuff)

Big cons: If you're not feeling well, you can't just close the door to your office and get by. You're basically ON STAGE all day. You can't stay home sick every day you just don't feel well or didn't sleep well and then you still have to be 100% for those kids. That's hard!!

You eat with your kids everyday. They watch your every move at all times! You have no privacy.

Parents can be a big pain. you have to learn to make nice with them!

You have to be responsible, accountable, and on top of things!

 

[Grandma Bear]

I agree MINNIE3!