This is my 12th year of teaching in elementary. I had 9 in Pre-Kindergarten, and this is my 3rd in second grade. I am considering applying for a gifted/talented position. It's a traveling position, so I'm still debating it.
I love teaching. It is draining....................but there are breaks to recharge! I teach in a low socioeconomic status area, so we get lots of issues with our kids, lots of kids in bad situations, very minimal parent support. Certain times of the year are harder (Christmas and Spring bring out the very worst in the parents, as they are having a hard time and we represent the government to them and their frustrations come out), and the abuse and neglect of our kids that is more prevalent here drains us emotionally. I have also recently seen a huge rise in the numbers of kids who are diagnosed with serious emotional/psychological disturbances. We have 3 in second grade this year.
However, teachers support each other well, our support staff and administration are fantastic.........it's like having a family at work. You can also read up on these issues and take trainings to help. It's always helpful if you know a therapist, too, even casually, as they can usually just give you feedback on "yes, it's hard, yes, you're doing all you can".
What do I like about it? Oh my. It's a whole new world. Kids take you back to your own childhood.........that can be good and bad, depending on what parts of your childhood they make you re-experience with them. They have boundless energy and do funny things.........they keep me laughing, and they wear me out at the same time! Some love to learn, some don't. You get rewards with both kinds........the ones who love to learn will be grateful and will tell you/show you so. The ones who don't love to learn will reward you with tiny steps..........smiling when they've done a good job, telling you they liked a lesson, asking if you'll do that again. The parents who appreciate us are invaluable...........they can give you a lift that lasts for weeks with just one note, phone call or visit to tell you how much their child has improved, or enjoys class, or talks about school. You can actually see how much of a difference you make. Some jobs just don't give you that. In this job, you can watch the kids grow, learn, and change. You love these kids........you have to, to teach well. They become a part of you forever.
Let's see, as to your other questions, I have a BS in Elem. ED and hold certification in general elementary (grades 1-8), early childhood (PK-2), and English as a Second Language.
As someone else mentioned, you can go alternative certification, BUT you have to teach in a high need area, generally, which means middle or high school math, science or foreign language, or elementary bilingual education (English/Spanish in most of the country). You need to contact the district you are interested in and ask who to speak to about this. All districts have slightly different programs in this area. Often, you can start right out teaching, and take a few courses/tests during your year.
Substituting will give you experience with curriculums, schedules, how classrooms are run and managed...........but in my experience, it is not the same as having your own room in the way you interact with the children. The children are usually much more ill-behaved with a substitute. So do it for the experience, but realize your own class won't be that difficult........especially since you'll be establishing guidelines right away in your own room.
There's a great book that I have in the classroom, so can't remember the title exactly, but it's either The First Days of School, or The First Few Days of School, or The First Weeks of School..............that really lays it all out well for first time (or returning!) teachers. How to establish communication, rules, who to make friends with (nurse, counselor and head custodian are key!), how to arrange the classroom.............really a great book. Should really whet your appetite while you figure out how to get into a classroom!
Good Luck.........we always need good brothers and sisters in the trenches!
