Becoming a teacher. OT a bit.

[sk!mom]

I am also studying to be a teacher, I have 2 more years to go.

I have a particular question regarding private school teaching. Basically all the question from OP, and any added benefits or disadvantage.

Thanks.

Benefit- possibly less bureaucracy.

Disadvantages- in my area, lower pay and little or no benefits. No pension- one of the benefits of public school teaching.

 

[kimsuenew]

Someone posted a thread earlier wanting advice on becoming a medical transcriptionist (which I am).. and it got me thinking.. maybe I should post a thread about what it's like to be an elementary school teacher.

I've been pondering it over in my mind lately and just sent for some information from our local college about it. I really love children (especially between the ages of 3-8) and they seem to love me. I just have a natural way with kids that age and typically they will come over and play and talk with me a lot. I know it takes more than that though to be a teacher so I wanted to see if anyone out there could give me more information. Here are a few suggested questions:

1. What are the pro's and con's to being an elementary school teacher?
2. What grade do you teach?
3. Do you love your job?
4. Do you feel it's rewarding and on what levels?
5. Am I too old to be looking into this? (I'm currently 32, but my husband and I will be starting to have children next year.... so my plan at the moment is to be a stay at home mommy during the day then take night classes at night and take out a student loan to pay my way - I have a few college courses under my belt already.. but not much).
oh, and this is a weird question but I"ll ask it:
6. How do schools feel about teachers with visable tattoos? I don't have any tattoos right now that are super visable (one small one on my ankle) but have been thinking of getting one but am nervous about putting it somewhere where I can't hide it. Are tattoos not such a big deal anymore in schools?

thanks everyone! I know there are a lot of questions.. sorry about that! For some reason I feel like there are a lot of teachers on these boards.

oh, btw... I'm also considering becoming an art teacher. Are there teachers out there that are strictly art teachers anymore? I just feel like when schools have to make pay cuts it's the arts that always get the shaft.

thanks!!!

Hi! No... go for it! I am 41 years old and have three years of college left (to become a teacher). It (teaching) is something I wanted to do since childhood. It is challenging to juggle school, being a mom, being a wife, and working... but it can be done!

The special needs school I was an aide at (before quitting to attend college) did away with all art classes due to budget restraints, my niece's elementary school does not have art class either, however, the high school district that we live in does have an art teacher (not at the Elementary or MS level, only the HS). I would look into that closer before deciding, perhaps there is another area that interests you as much?

Anyway... have fun and go for it!

 

[carj]

1. What are the pro's and con's to being an elementary school teacher?
Pros- My children are at the same school where my home base is located. I love this age group. Cons-I spend a lot of my own $$,
The pay is decent and it is EASY to find a job here. (Texas)
2. What grade do you teach? Currently, I teach students with visual impairments, but I have taught, K, 1st, and preschool special education as well.
3. Do you love your job? Love, love, love it!
4. Do you feel it's rewarding and on what levels? I feel like I am contributing to my student's lives and the community. I love working with students!
5. Am I too old to be looking into this? (I'm currently 32, but my husband and I will be starting to have children next year.... so my plan at the moment is to be a stay at home mommy during the day then take night classes at night and take out a student loan to pay my way - I have a few college courses under my belt already.. but not much). I am 36, working on my master's degree. I've been teaching for 10 years now.

oh, and this is a weird question but I"ll ask it:
6. How do schools feel about teachers with visable tattoos? I don't have any tattoos right now that are super visable (one small one on my ankle) but have been thinking of getting one but am nervous about putting it somewhere where I can't hide it. Are tattoos not such a big deal anymore in schools?
I am not a tattoo person. I guess it depends on the school. I personally don't think that having a tattoo is going to help you find a job in many schools. I actually do think that it might hurt your chances in some. (I am not saying that is right, but I do think that it is true.) That said, it is your body, your decision.

You mentioned that you are planning on starting a family. A lot of people think that being a teacher is the ultimate job for a mom. Well, once your own kids are in school, it kind of is. When they are babies though, it is just as tough as many other jobs. There are the wonderful benefits of being off in the summer and holidays though!

 

[Aliceacc]

I am also studying to be a teacher, I have 2 more years to go.

I have a particular question regarding private school teaching. Basically all the question from OP, and any added benefits or disadvantage.

Thanks.

I LOVE the Catholic high school where I teach!!!

There is no beaurocracy. (sp??) If I need something, I go to the person in charge and ask, or leave a note in his mailbox. If I need supplies, I go to the bookstore and get them. If I have a question about one of my kids, I can go to his guidance counselor. They're incredibly supportive of their teachers, and I can't imagine working anywhere else. (With the possible exception of my husband's school-- it's run by the same religious order. His current principal used to be the AP in my school, and taught in my department.)

That's another thing: every single administrator in my school teaches. So we don't have the issues that so many teachers have, where the administration is out of touch with the kids. They know the horrors of a day before a vacation, the craziness of the first snow of the year, and all the rest.

You would probably guess otherwise from what I've said, but my school is large-- our student body is 2,550. But it has a real small school feel in a lot of ways.

 

[DisTeach1]

Well, I think it also depends where you live...In CA and other states, elementary teachers, especially ones who want to teach younger students, are not really in demand. You would have to sub for a long time. I wanted to teach younger students, and while I was subbing, ended up getting my special ed credential also. I'll be teaching high school next year, something I never thought I'd do, but it was a great offer.

As for the money, well I'm just starting my 4th year, and will be making $59,000 here in No. Calif. Not too bad, considering I get 14 weeks a year off. But, during the school year, I am very, very busy.

Prior to this, I was a CPA and I have to say, I like teaching a lot better.

I know my former elementary district would not hire someone with a visible tatoo, especially because they have so many prospective elementary teachers to choose from. They can afford to be picky, as can many districts in CA.

 

[luna99]

wow! thank you all for all of the information you've given me.. what a valueable thread! I think someone asked where specifically I lived in CNY... I live in Syracuse right now.. but there is the possibility that I could be moving back to Texas... maybe the Austin area.

I think after reading everything and talking to my husband.. I've decided to go to my local community college to talk to someone for more information and I think I'm going to take classes part time here and there and work towards a 2 year degree while I'm having babies and being a full time mom...

thanks so much again everyone and if anyone else wants to chime in.. please feel free!