Teachers

[Makdyn]

I am thinking about going back to school to be a teacher. It was what I was wanted to do. You know when your a kid and you say "when I grow up I want to be.... Well I always said a teacher. Then I went to high school and did not like school, more interested in the "Guys" Well here I am 24 years old and thinking I still want to be a teacher. With two kids one going in to the 1st grade another one will be three on Saturday, I am thinking that a teacher will be the best job for me. It will take me more than the average four years because I will be going part time maybe one or two courses at a time and I will have to still work both of my jobs.

For those teachers out there what do you love and hate about teaching.

 

[Sonya]

Right now I like teaching b/c I get the summers off to be with my kid! I also like being my own boss, so to speak, I am in charge of my classroom. I don't like kids with the entitlement behavior, nor do I like some parents who make excuses for their kids. I am not a big fan on NCLB and I know I am lucky, my administration supports the teachers but some schools aren't so lucky. I also like being in an enviroment where teachers can collaborate together to make great lesson plans.

I know there are people who can say it better than I can, and I hope you get many more replies. If I had it to do all over again I don't know if I would have chosen teaching. It is a very hard job!

 

[WendyDarling]

Yes, there's lots of administrative crap (like NCLB) and paperwork and every once in a while you get a parent who is just a thorn in your side or a principal who is a pain, but every day you get to work with, teach and inspire KIDS! That is what makes the ups and downs worthwhile. I find teaching to be a very rewarding career - but usually I call it more of a calling than a career. My sister went back when she was your age, taught for 9 years and then became an assistant principal. She always says it was the best decision she ever made. Good luck!

 

[NikiM20]

I LOVE teaching!!! I teach k-4 and at the end of the year you can REALLY tell the difference in your kiddos!!! It makes you feel so good to know that you have taught these children something...My little ones who had a hard time recognizing their name at the beginning of the year were reading at the end!!! If its what you want to do do it!!!

 

[bushdianee]

I teach first grade and love it. It took me almost 8 years to finish due to being diagnosed with ovarian cancer my sophmore year but here I am 26 years later. What do I love? I love when a child realizes that they CAN read for the first time, or when they master a concept they thought was too hard, the hugs, the feeling that I am making a difference in someone's life, etc. What I hate? The paper work, the politics, standardized testing and all of the things that take away from the "teaching". This past year I had a little girl who had been stuggling with reading come in one day after she had borrowed a personal book from me and said "Reading is fun! I thought it would be boring." At the end of the year as we were beginning 2-digit addition one little boy was about to give up as it was just too hard for him. I started putting problems on the board for bell work. Each day he got one more correct on his own. In the middle of the week as he was doing his problems he yelled out "This is getting easier!" A few days later he got all of the problems correct so the whole class recieved a surprise treat!

 

[paigevz]

Great, rewarding job. I think it's a wonderfully convenient job for the most part for parents. Especially if you bring your children to your school.

And, after watching the marathon of that show about the worst jobs this weekend, I REALLY LOVE my job!

 

[momm2four]

I love that I get to teach Math all day. I know...some of you think I've lost my mind...but it can be such a fun subject to work with. Even kids who may not like math as a subject have told me that although they don't like math, they enjoy coming to my class. I think that's a compliment

I love watching a student who thinks they can't suddenly understand that they CAN!!! YeAHH!!!

I love having breaks off with my children and that most days I am off from school in time enough to pick my kids up from their school. (I'm middle school, they're elementary.)

I love watching students display true character such as honesty, caring, leadership, determination and kindness, especially when they don't know that I'm watching them

However, as to the flip side of your question, it makes me sad when I see students who are 11, 12 or 13 who seem to have no compassion or understanding of how humans should treat each other. Fortunately, I don't see too much of that, but when I do it just fills me with such a hopelessness.

I also don't like working alongside teachers who I feel don't respect the students. I have watched teachers who truly don't know how to deal with middle schoolers back kids into the proverbial corner, then send the child to the office with a referral when the student reacts.

I also see teachers who are simply TERRIBLE teachers. Being smart, making A's in college, or having a high IQ doesn't make one a good teacher. I know one teacher who simply sits behind her desk, working on her laptop while her students (who are special ed) simply sit and do nothing, but sleep and play with each other's hair. (Yes, I did go to administration about this).

But to end on a positive note, another high point is getting to work with other teachers who love our students as much as I do and making sure that we give them the best education and care that we can.

Lori P.

 

[Makdyn]

Thanks. I am going to start in sept. I have to do my general classes first before I can even start the program. I was talking to my distance friend who was going for teaching. She was suppose to graduate this past may but due to some family health problems she could not. She was telling me everthing that is needed or what needs to be done.

I would really like to teach first, second, or three grade.

Now here is the imporant question, When do you take your disney vacations the same time that school is on vacation, You know the busies times?

 

[Cindy B]

I am in school for teaching after a very long break. I am a mid junior after taking many courses at two local community colleges. My local community college was wonderful because it modeled many courses after the state university model and I got about a years worth of teaching courses (six to eight classes) at a community college price.

The courses were the same, from the university to community college down to the professors, syllabii, and books! However, I only paid $250 a course instead of over $700 a course at the university.

Now I am at a point where I have to do all classes at the university. I am thrilled to know that I only have a year left.

Study for the PRAXIS exam! I'm taking that soon. My univeristy requires a dual study instead of just education courses. My dual study is elementary education/writing arts. I am also getting a post bachelor certification in special education.

I knew I wanted to go into teaching since 1978. However, I put it on a back burner. After I had my kids, I became a paraprofessional in my local school district. I did that for three years and realized that in order to get paid more I went back to school. I got enough credits for a substitute teacher certfication and became a sub. Because of the sub cert, I was able to become a verbal therapist for autistic students. Because I was a verbal therapist, I just recently became a job coach for older special education adolescents who transition from high school to the work environment.

I would really make sure you want to do this before you committ to the studying. Check out a local school, volunteer, sub or something. So many teachers I know are terrible teachers. My sons teacher verbally abuses the students every day. ( saying they are no good, troublemakers, etc..) It was terrible teachers llike that that made me really want to committ to becoming a great teacher.

I love it when I am with the special ed kids. I do everything from prek to 12th grade. I love seeing that they recognize me when I come in. I love the high school age special ed kids. These are the kids that the school tends to forget--since they aren't college bound. That is where the work force training comes in. I seem them thrilled to be working at the supermarket or Home Depot.

In the non verbal end, after spending a two hour verbal therapy session with me.. the student can now say four words! Thats a miracle... and so gratifying.

I like the non special ed kids when they understand concepts. I was teaching a prealgebra lesson to some 5th graders a few weeks ago. I modeled the problem on the board and some just didn't get how to isolate the variable. I got some small groups together and we did it one on one. This hard nosed smart alecky kid was in one of the groups. He was the type of kid that always treated the subs like garbage. After our small group instruction, he opened up and I saw his eyes understand. That was awesome! The next time I was in the school, even as a cool 5th grader, he said hi to me in front of his friends... thats a huge deal!

 

[Christypl]

I've been teaching for 6 years and love everything but the pay. I have a 3 year old and its great having time off with him. One thing about the pay is there are always opportunities to do extra by tutoring or teaching summer school.

 

[bobcat]

I went back and finished my degree when my kids were about your kids ages. It was very hard but so rewarding! I don't regret for a moment all the sacrifices I gave up to get to where I am today.

One thing I think you should do is check into what teaching areas are in the greatest need in your area. With kids you are already established where you are and may not want, or be able to, move to get an available job. Of course science and special ed are always in demand.

I love working with middle schoolers. It's cheap therapy. LOL I love having summers to do with as I please. I won't say free because all teachers do something to help them for next year during this time, whether it is classes, teaching, tutoring, planning, or working a second job. I like that I can make my own schedule in the summer, and I really need this down time to be a better teacher the following year. I love being involved with my kids at school, attending their games and concerts. I love seeing them grow up and mature, or not as the case may be.

I hate the administration BS, parents that don't have a clue and non teachers that think i have a cushy job. (Unfortunatly I have a family memeber that believes that.) I hate paperwork and stupid in service days designated by the administration when I could be doing something that will really help my students.

I have a love/hate feeling about running into my students everywhere I go.

Overall it's the best occupation in the world. I can say this because I have been out of school for two weeks. You didn't want my opinion earlier than that. It's kind of like childbirth, the memory and pain is dulled after a while and you look forward to doing it again.

As for vacations we go in the summer. I can take as long of a vacation as I want and can afford.

 

[GraysMom]

I was a First Grade teacher (now a SAHM) in one of the two most sought after districts in our area. There are over 1000 applicants each year for maybe 5 positions. I knew I wanted to stay home with our son, but giving up my contract knowing what it took to get into my teaching position made the decision more difficult. You might want to check out the job market for teachers in your area and see if there is a lot of competition for what may be a very few openings. If you call the superintendent's office they should be able to give you a ballpark figure about how many people apply each year. Just something to think about.

GraysMom

 

[paigevz]

Ahhhh, careful about Special Education. Our special ed teachers are a bit worried. NCLB leaves little room for saying that any child is not able to work in the classroom on level now. We have to jump through hoops to get new kids identified now, and the rumor is that next year (07-08) NO referrals will be accepted.

As for WDW, yes, we go at busy times. We have been at Christmas, Spring Break and Summer. But, lots of people just means you make your reservations for hotel and dining early. Then you use your DIS knowledge to make sure you are in the low traffic places at all times! We always have a great time, always do everything we want, always do our faves multiple times on the trip.

 

[paigevz]

I was a First Grade teacher (now a SAHM) in one of the two most sought after districts in our area. There are over 1000 applicants each year for maybe 5 positions. I knew I wanted to stay home with our son, but giving up my contract knowing what it took to get into my teaching position made the decision more difficult. You might want to check out the job market for teachers in your area and see if there is a lot of competition for what may be a very few openings. If you call the superintendent's office they should be able to give you a ballpark figure about how many people apply each year. Just something to think about.

GraysMom

ITA. Often in my area, you have to work in the BIG districts (Dallas ISD or Fort Worth ISD) in the urban schools first. After you have the experience, and have "paid your dues" you can move to the outskirt schools or get in at one of the suburban districts, if you network well and you had a good year.