Calling all DIS teachers!!

[thewishfire]

I've been seeing a lot of education threads on here lately and know there are some DIS teachers, so I thought I'd pose a question.

I've been out of school since 2005, haven't gone to college yet, but will be applying once I move in a few months. I'm considering a major in either Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education. Besides basic classes, I don't know much about what I would be in for. Anyone here who majored in either of these? Any tips/advice/stories about not only going to school for this, but the actual job itself would be much appreciated. I've been unsure about school for years now and am very much thinking about a possible teaching career. Is being a teacher what you thought it would be? Better? Worse?

TIA

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i am an early childhood major at a local university..I am in my senior year, so i cant tell you about the teaching , but i can tell you what type of classes i had. In addition to the general education and my coordinate major, i had to take child development, educational psychology, inquiries into teaching, family/community/school, history of american education, growth and learning (birth-5 years), language development, growth and learning (K-3rd grade), Integrating and Adapting Curriculum, Obsevation/assessing/evaluating

 

[Hannathy]

Know the job market where you want to locate. some areas of the country are hiring teachers and you can easily get a job, others aren't. I have a BIL who went back to school after 9/11 job bust- he worked in NY in publishing and since he had a masters and was a published author was sure he would get a job if he was certified, guess what after getting his teaching degree and cert. is still just subbing and doesn't have any good prospects. But my friends nephew graduated in June went to Florida and had a full time job that August.

 

[thewishfire]

Blueeyes - Thank you for giving me an idea about some of the classes I might be taking.

Hannathy - While we've narrowed it down to moving within 3 states, I will try to see what the market is like... I know that some places are desperate for teachers and other's not so much.

Any more info anyone?

 

[paigevz]

I love it, but be prepared for the vocal teacher-bashers. It feels more personal than you think it will.

I can tell you that your real education will be when you get your own classroom. The college classes that really help are those in which they teach you ideas/games/how to make things for the classroom. The theory classes help you know what people are talking about, and can give you a good knowledge for talking with parents, but don't help as much day to day.

If you can, you should dual certify in elementary and early childhood..........gives you a bigger base. You should also look into the requirements for ESL and Gifted endorsements...........those help, too.

 

[daisyduck123]

I can't really help you out with the college info, as I graduated almost 20 years ago & I know requirements have changed.

I love teaching the kids. I can even deal with most parents. It's the paperwork for the administration that is the WORST PART OF THE JOB!

It really is the only thing I would want to do...I enjoy it, I get home at an early hour (by 4 p.m.), & I get the summers off with my kids. I would not work if I had to put them in daycare all of the time.

 

[poohbear919]

I'm out of Upstate/Central NY... I hold my BS and MS in Education - certified to teach Elementary Grades N/Pre-K to 6. Unfortunately in this area jobs are not plentiful, now if I wanted to move to NYC I'd probably have a greater chance of finding school district employment.

For two years post-graduation with my BS I substitute taught in two different districts. Currently I'm teaching at an integrated preschool through a childcare center and truly I love my job (though I'd love it more if I earned what I should, like a school district salary.) Teaching is honestly one of the most fulfilling things I'll ever do! I have known since sixth grade though that I wanted to be a teacher... I'm looking at most likely moving out of state and away from my family next year for a district job.

I think it's likely that if your open to relocating or teaching in more urban settings it won't be as difficult to find a teaching position... If you want to stay closer to home - in an areas where demand for new teachers is low and amounts of qualified teachers are plentiful it might be more difficult to find something in a district. (Obviously you know more about this for your area than I!)

Classes wise I took lots of general ed classes, specialized math courses (my concentration area,) psychology, a variety of sciences, philosophy, and english/language arts courses. I also took my core/content courses - practicals for teaching and content area (social studies, science, e/la, and math) classes... (These were just for my BS.) Courses for my masters were even more specialized... (Test writing, web/technology integration, etc...)

Hope this provides a bit more insight! I'm always open to answering more questions, and I apologize for being so wordy - it's one of my faults!