To all teachers out there.....

[XOoOoVEEoOoOX]

What advice would you give to someone who decided that they may want to pursue a career in teaching?

I am 22 and after graduating High School I kind of drifted along, I started my first semester of college but didnt go beyond that because I was not really sure what I wanted to do. I have recently been considering teaching, either Elementary or High School English or Biology, what advice would you give me?

 

[campingcorgi]

Sign up to be a volunteer in a school that you think you might want to teach at. Spend some time in the halls and with the students. Watch, listen, think.....

Make sure you make an informed decision.

 

[Saffron]

My advice would be to go for it!

If you aren't all ready an organized person, start getting organized now! If you aren't all ready a person who likes to "be ahead of the game", start getting ahead of the game now, it will only make your teaching so much easier. Organization is a key factor for teaching!

Make sure you take a classroom management class! It was my most valuable course by far! They cover all aspects of what could possibly happen in a classroom and how to handle just about anything!

Always be professional when dealing with professors, cooperating teachers, administration and parents, no matter how much you may want to be anything but. They are your network for your future as a teacher. When you develop a great working relationship with someone, ask if you can use them as references or mentors in the future.

Teaching requires a lot of time on your feet, most of the day is spent on your feet! I was shocked when one of professors told me that, but she was oh so right!

Keep a portfolio of all your best "work" or assignments from school, and keep it organized. It's a great assest when interviewing.

Get ready for one of the most rewarding jobs of your life!

Good luck to you!

 

[Saffron]

Oh! And enjoy decorating bulletin boards while you're in school, because they're a real pain in the butt when you HAVE to do them all the time!

 

[jimmiej]

It really is a satisfying career. Are you good at dealing with people? Do you have an even temperament? Are you long on patience? Are you organized? Just a few things to ask yourself.

I've taught grades 4-12. I much prefer middle school. Each age group has it's different challenges. I have trouble handling the attitudes of high schoolers. For me, middle schoolers are mature enough to do some challenging things, but young enough to be impressionable.

As another poster suggested, try volunteering or subbing to "get your feet wet". Good luck in your decision.

 

[XOoOoVEEoOoOX]

Thanks everyone

I do have patience with children but wouldnt want to work with very young ones

I am very organized, and worked as a teacher aide for my Junior and Senior years of High school. I enjoyed it but at the time hadnt really considered a career in teaching. I appreciate all the feedback.

Everyone always points out the negatives about teaching (low pay, snotty students) when I mention it but I really wanted to hear what its like from the source.

Can you name one of the most rewarding memories you have from teaching?

 

[daisyduck123]

Thanks everyone
Can you name one of the most rewarding memories you have from teaching?

I hadn't really thought about it before, but what I remember the most are the moms that I got to know...usually a few each year (I've been teaching 16 years). Some were also substitutes in the school. The only student names I remember after a long period of time are the ones whose moms I remember.

Some of the best times I have with my students are the times we just sit in a circle & talk together, or when I read them a story.

 

[zagafi]

Honestly, and sadly, I wouldn't encourage anyone to pursue a career as a teacher anymore. I've become so disillusioned the last few years(I'm not in a classroom anymore--I'm a tech coordinator now) and with NCLB, I don't see things improving anytime soon.

The sad thing is, excellent teachers are needed now more than ever. I just can't in good conscience recommend it as a career in the current climate. Sorry. :-(

 

[MushyMushy]

I just finished up my student teaching on Friday and can honestly say that I've finally found my niche in life. I LOVE teaching! I can't wait to find a full-time job. The kids will make it all worthwhile, despite any of the negative politics involved.

 

[NikiM20]

Thanks everyone

Can you name one of the most rewarding memories you have from teaching?

I teach pre-k and the best memory I have is a child who could not even recognize his name at the begining of the year was reading at the end of the year. to look over his progress and to see how proud of himself he was, was worth it

 

[XOoOoVEEoOoOX]

I just finished up my student teaching on Friday and can honestly say that I've finally found my niche in life. I LOVE teaching! I can't wait to find a full-time job. The kids will make it all worthwhile, despite any of the negative politics involved.

May I ask what you did before teaching?

I have been working full time in the automotive industry since before i graduated , and am really ready to move on to a CAREER.

 

[wishes28]

I'm a second year teacher and I wouldn't trade my job for anything. It is a very rewarding job, not financially but in other ways. I teach first/second grade and my students are just precious. This is the first job that I've had that I didn't dread doing. My day flies by. Yes, just like any job you can find something to whine about if you really want to. It's your choice. Some people will not be happy regardless of what they are doing.

I would recommend doing some volunteer work to make sure it's what you want to do though.

 

[MushyMushy]

May I ask what you did before teaching?

I have been working full time in the automotive industry since before i graduated , and am really ready to move on to a CAREER.

This n that. Secretary, assistant manager, SAHM... I originally went back to college to become a lawyer, but I ended up getting my degree in education and I don't regret it for a single second. Although, ask me that again when I get my first paycheck.

 

[Saffron]

I get rewarded every single day, by the little eyes that light up when they see me first thing in the morning.

I think one of the most rewarding days of my job was the day a child who is violent towards me ... when he's really, really, angry he'll race at me head on, teeth clinched, fists ready to fight, then he'll punch at me, kick me, scratch me, try to bite me, etc. etc. ... out of the blue came over, snuggled up to me, put his head on my shoulder, looked up at me with the saddest eyes and said, "Ms ___, I love you." I don't think he's ever said those words in his life to anyone other than maybe his family, and he's never said them since, but I'll never forget that day or that moment.

And ... the day we had an actual fire in our school. I managed to get all the kids out of the building without a hitch. And when we were in the parking lot waiting for the fire department to come, one of the kids looked at me and said, "Hey! Ms ______ we did it, and we we'ren't even scared!" then they all "Hip! Hip! Horray!ed" while hugging each other. They really felt that they had accomplished something really great, and they had! They stayed cool in a crisis and they conducted themselves with a sense of security and confidence! Very, very cool!

It's the little things that I find to be most rewarding.

 

[XOoOoVEEoOoOX]

I get rewarded every single day, by the little eyes that light up when they see me first thing in the morning.

I think one of the most rewarding days of my job was the day a child who is violent towards me ... when he's really, really, angry he'll race at me head on, teeth clinched, fists ready to fight, then he'll punch at me, kick me, scratch me, try to bite me, etc. etc. ... out of the blue came over, snuggled up to me, put his head on my shoulder, looked up at me with the saddest eyes and said, "Ms ___, I love you." I don't think he's ever said those words in his life to anyone other than maybe his family, and he's never said them since, but I'll never forget that day or that moment.

And ... the day we had an actual fire in our school. I managed to get all the kids out of the building without a hitch. And when we were in the parking lot waiting for the fire department to come, one of the kids looked at me and said, "Hey! Ms ______ we did it, and we we'ren't even scared!" then they all "Hip! Hip! Horray!ed" while hugging each other. They really felt that they had accomplished something really great, and they had! They stayed cool in a crisis and they conducted themselves with a sense of security and confidence! Very, very cool!

It's the little things that I find to be most rewarding.

Oh that is soo PRECIOUS!!!

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

Make sure that you are doing it for the right reasons. I think some people look forward to "summer's off" - it IS nice, but most of us work/summer school professional development during the summer.

ALSO - be sure that you are willing to work past contract hours. there's nothing that gets me more than teachers who refuse to work one minute before our after contract time.

Get familiar with NCLB, your state testing and curriculum(s) -

I would probably be better at giving the advice on how to choose the district you want to work for: What is their level of accredidation (goodness, I spelled that wrong!), do they have career ladder, teacher work days? How often do they send teachers/staff to professional development opportunities. What programs do they have that support early childhood? Is the special education department using the RTI or Discrepancy model to identify children with disabilities. If they are using RTI, then this HEAVILY involves you as the reg ed teacher, and you need to know what it means (if you don't already)

 

[DVC Jen]

Honestly, and sadly, I wouldn't encourage anyone to pursue a career as a teacher anymore. I've become so disillusioned the last few years(I'm not in a classroom anymore--I'm a tech coordinator now) and with NCLB, I don't see things improving anytime soon.

The sad thing is, excellent teachers are needed now more than ever. I just can't in good conscience recommend it as a career in the current climate. Sorry. :-(

Then it is a really good thing you are not in the classroom anymore. Please do not take that as a slam - it is definately NOT meant that way.

I applaud you for stepping down and not just "sticking it out" like many do. An unhappy teacher is not a good teacher - kiddos know who is there because they love it and who is burnt out.

Teaching is an incredibly hard job - you have to be parent, social worker, nurse, politician, friend, confidant, policeman/woman, judge, jury and teacher all rolled up into one. And doing that at the pay level most teachers have - well unless you LOVE it - you shouldn't do it.


Would I reccommend it? YES - but only if you are willing to do all those different jobs at once - without getting much money or pats on the back.

To me - teaching is a joy - a priveledge definately not a right. I am being entrusted with what is most precious in the world - and making a difference in the lives of those precious students. In all honesty though - those precious kiddos give me at least as much if not more than I give them. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my job - but I know that if the time comes that I do not feel as passionately about it - I need to step down - for the kids sake.

 

[challada]

Check to see if you have an AmeriCORP in your area. Here, the Americorp "kids" do tutoring, working in the schools, afterschool programs, etc in exchange for their college tuition paid for. Most all of them seem to end up wanting to teach after their experience.

In the middle school I work in, we have Americorp kids in the classrooms, tutoring kids and running an incredible after school program where kids get to do both homework and cool electives.

I think it's a GREAT program for those who want to get into teaching as it really gives you a taste of the day to day AND provides you the means of getting the necessary degrees.

By the way, I commend you on finding what you WANT to do instead of what you HAVE to do!

 

[Forevryoung]

I would probably be better at giving the advice on how to choose the district you want to work for: What is their level of accredidation (goodness, I spelled that wrong!), do they have career ladder, teacher work days? How often do they send teachers/staff to professional development opportunities. What programs do they have that support early childhood? Is the special education department using the RTI or Discrepancy model to identify children with disabilities. If they are using RTI, then this HEAVILY involves you as the reg ed teacher, and you need to know what it means (if you don't already)

Thanks! I wasn't going to respond because I'm not going into "teaching" but I am in a masters program for speech-language pathology and I have to work in a school district for four years when I'm done. I copied this down and am going to use it for reference when I'm looking at different districts.

P.S. OP look into SLP- requires a difficult masters program (won't lie, they are all tough) but it's an amazing field!!

 

[XOoOoVEEoOoOX]

Check to see if you have an AmeriCORP in your area. Here, the Americorp "kids" do tutoring, working in the schools, afterschool programs, etc in exchange for their college tuition paid for. Most all of them seem to end up wanting to teach after their experience.

In the middle school I work in, we have Americorp kids in the classrooms, tutoring kids and running an incredible after school program where kids get to do both homework and cool electives.

I think it's a GREAT program for those who want to get into teaching as it really gives you a taste of the day to day AND provides you the means of getting the necessary degrees.

By the way, I commend you on finding what you WANT to do instead of what you HAVE to do!

I have never heard of that program before but will definetely do a search on it. As it stands right now my college education will be paid OOP 100% by me.I cannot afford to get a loan for school b/c I am currently paying off some medical bills and they take a pretty big chunk of my money. I hop to get started in the Summer A term.