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Thinking of becoming a teacher
Kyougu
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Registered User regular
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In Texas (DFW area)
Political Science Major but no educational degree
So lately I been feeling a bit unfunfilled by my career (Been in it two years) and I'm thinking of making a change. Teaching has been in mind off and on since I graduated 2 years ago, and I'm thinking of looking into it.
I'm well aware of the glut of teachers at the moment (which is reason why I'm hesitant), but at the same time I think it could be worth it. My highschool teacher had a huge impact on me, so I would like to have that same impact on someone. I would really want to teach history, Government or Speech.
So, any input? I would have to do alternative certification, what are those program like? I imagine I couldn't work while doing it right? Anyone know what the teaching situation is like in Dallas?
In Texas (DFW area)
Political Science Major but no educational degree
So lately I been feeling a bit unfunfilled by my career (Been in it two years) and I'm thinking of making a change. Teaching has been in mind off and on since I graduated 2 years ago, and I'm thinking of looking into it.
I'm well aware of the glut of teachers at the moment (which is reason why I'm hesitant), but at the same time I think it could be worth it. My highschool teacher had a huge impact on me, so I would like to have that same impact on someone. I would really want to teach history, Government or Speech.
So, any input? I would have to do alternative certification, what are those program like? I imagine I couldn't work while doing it right? Anyone know what the teaching situation is like in Dallas?
Kyougu on
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Remember that the ones that are a-holes stick out a whole lot more than the ones who want to learn and if you do inspire a student chances are you will never know about it.
Also, if you are physically attractive in any way the girls will hit on you a lot. No shame in their game hit on you too, not something you could write off as something else.
Not trying to convince you not to though, just throwing it out there.
Your last semester you will most likely not be able to work because you will have to student teach. I was able to continue to work since I was a supervisor at Barnes and Noble, but it also meant that I worked until midnight every night and got to school at 7:30am the next day.
By the way, I realize that you are different from me, but I hated teaching with a passion once I actually started student teaching. The clinical placements you do don't prepare you -- an hour a day is nothing compared to 8 hours a day, and I couldn't wait for it to be done.
That's probably because you just aren't the type of person that is needed to teach. You need patience and understanding, not rage and angst. The children need love.
Keep that in mind. Any teaching program you want to undergo is going to require an experience profile of some sort. One of the schools I'm applying to (and the one I want to get in it) needs 2 experiences with at least 100 hours in each. So, you can't just up and decide to apply. You need to plan ahead, and your experiences better be top notch to compete with all the other students wanting in.
I don't know how it is there, but teachers colleges now are limiting enrollment in low-demand teachables. For instance, they don't accept many students who want PhsyEd as their primary teachable.
I suggest checking out the websites for schools in your area where you might attend and seeing what the requirements are. You'll be surprised. And you'll have an idea of what you can teach, because you don't simply raise your hand at the end of your certification and pick what you want. There are strict requirements.
YMMV, but in my experience there are 2 significant facets to teaching. The Kids and the adults.
The Kids were awesome in my experience, and i really enjoyed teaching them. It was awesome interacting with them, especially at the high school level. The trouble makers were usually my favorites, it was fun bantering with them.
The adults were the worst thing i have ever witnessed. The other teachers are more concerned with making it through the day then anything else, including teaching and good luck if you need help with something. But the worst was the Parents, they see you as a glorified babysitter for their perfect little angels.
The last straw for me was when i handed out mid term grades, and 19 of 22 kids were not passing because of missed assignments and consequently low test scores and absenteeism. My supervising teacher and the principal took me aside and told me that I would have to bring the kids back in on my time and have them redo the missing assignments. Then regardless of the quality of the work i would have to pass at least 15 of them.
I am sure the may experience was an especially bad example, but from what i have heard its not so unusual.
If you can deal with the adults and the constant CYA then do it, the kids really were great.
Ahahaha, what?
At any rate, he's right. You won't know if you like teaching or not until you start student teaching. Observations and sitting in on classes with ten students will not give you an idea if you like it or not. Be prepared for an entirely different experience once you start student teaching.
xbl - HowYouGetAnts
steam - WeAreAllGeth
If you're in the DFW area, I know FW, Grand Prairie, and a few others hire on subs mid semester. Just hit their websites (or the Region 11 consortium site http://www.esc11.net/escrxi/site/default.asp) and apply as a sub. I've been substituting for a bit now, and I've learned a ton about actual teaching and classroom management, and more importantly that I enjoy this and could see it as a career for a long time.
If you want more specifics, hit me up.
I love teaching kids music, there is absolutely nothing in the world that I enjoy more. However, the administration that you have to deal with as a public school Band Director or Music Teacher is insufferable. They don't care at all about actually teaching kids how to be successful. For them it's all about having huge numbers in your program and getting trophies.
My solution was to teach privately and start local youth ensembles that I could direct to help foster kids interest and ensure that they were getting the education necessary to be successful musicians later in life.
If you find yourself in a similar position, perhaps teaching college would be the way to go, though that would require grad school. Something to consider anyhow.
You will be better prepared for teaching if you can somehow manage a full on teacher certification program through grad classes at night, with student teahing included, rather than an alternative/emergency certification path. In addition, with emergency credentials in most states, you're most likely to be put straight into the the toughest schools, where you'll often be in a "sink or swim" kind of environment. Districts that might be a bit more pleasant to work in will not even look at emergency credentialed candidates, unless they are in a high-demand subject (specific sciences, for example).
Social studies is not a high demand subject. I'm in Upstate NY, and there's something like 150+ candidates for each SS position here. From what I understand, numbers are similar nationwide in most states.
Also, emergency credentials don't travel well to other states. State certifications are much more portable.
Surviving your first year or two will very much depend on preparation, and barring that, the support system and mentoring program of the school you end up in, in addition to whether or not you have the temperament for the job. I've been doing this for 14 years, and love it, but I've seen people who by every measure were great teachers, burn out in a few years - and I teach in what is by any measure an excellent district (although our upper level administration leaves quite a bit to be desired).
Also, as someone who has supervised 5 student teachers, you better damn well go into this job willing to give it your all. I'm tired of seeing people go for teaching credentials because they're tired of their other job - you need to go into teaching because you want to teach. In recent years I've seen way too many student teachers - mine and other people's - who lack the work ethic and dedication to this career. You will absolutely need to stand out to get noticed, and get a job.
I'm not trying to scare you, I just want for you to be sure that this is exactly what you want to be doing before you dedicate time and money toward the teaching path. Anything less will be demoralizing and frustrating for you, and a disservice to the kids and your colleagues. We don't need any more half-assed teachers bringing the profession down.
Subbing is good for getting your foot in some district's doors (it is EXACTLY why I got my permanent job) but do NOT think it's anything like having your own classroom. And the pay sucks - you'll need a night job as well. It will help you test out some effective classroom management techniques, though.
I would like to be a teacher still; I basically feel I was raised to be a teacher. But the fact of the matter is I need some money to support my family and it seems like a long-shot that isn't compensated for by the pay.
The strange thing about teaching jobs is that some subjects are in desperate short supply. Science and math for example - largely because majors in those fields lead to careers that start at salaries close to what I'm making now. Special Education certs are much more likely to find work, but often given the toughest kids to work with (kids who are classified not because of legitimate special needs, but who are classified to take them out of mainstream classes where they were causing problems). Of course, English, Social Studies and Phys Ed certified grads are a dime a dozen, and whether or not you get a job depends on who you know as much as if you are an outstanding candidate.
The pay becomes quite fair, but not until later in your career. 14 years in, and I'm doing pretty well. Of course, I live within my means and in an area with reasonable housing prices, so that helps. And yes, I'd be making much more money had I taken one of the other paths that had been open to me.
Speaking of money, anyone who goes to a private university and racks up debt to become a teacher does not have their head on straight. Some of the best teaching programs in the country are at public schools.
I absolutely try to discourage people from becoming teachers. I have seen way to many people flounder about because they "Think they might want to be a teacher." You have to want it. There are very good reasons why 40-50% of new teachers leave the profession in the first 5 years. It is lifestyle altering - your non-teacher friends will never understand why you don't feel like hanging out all night on Friday anymore, for example, not to mention the current feeling that the profession is under siege right now by those who feel that bad teachers are the root of the problems with the US education system (as if we have one, unified education system. I'd put money on my students vs. international students any day of the week on benchmark tests. Students from the city down the road, not so much).
If someone still wants to teach after I point out all the negatives of the job, then maybe they just might be fit for it. I love this job - I can't imagine doing anything else for a living (within the realm of practicality that is - I have to face that I'll never be an astronaut or Ron Jeremy). I know that I contribute to society, I get to use my brain, I genuinely enjoy getting to know my kids as people, and while I teach the same material over and over, with different kids and trying different approaches, every day is something new. And every once in a while you do get that sense of triumph when you help a kid through a difficult patch, or hell, help the popular pretty girl/ jockosaurus rex who acts ditsy/ dopey all the time realize that s/he has a brain, it's a pretty good one, and it's a good thing to use it.
And yes, summers off are awesome. You need them to recharge. But anyone who becomes a teacher for that time off deserves to be kicked in the teeth!
Basically there is one year of classes (in the evening) student teaching over the summer and then he gets a special certificate that lets him teach while he finishes his masters of eduction (max of three years and he has to take at least one class every semester)
Something I did forget to mention, is that I am bilingual. I can speak, write and read Spanish. How much of an asset is that?
I exaggerate, but it's a huge advantage
Change Texas to any state or city with a significant Hispanic/ Latino population and you may not have instant job, but you will certainly get a second look. This is in particular if your bilingual skills also include an understanding of the home culture, to better connect with parents and get them involved.
Nearly all indicators are that once you engage the parents of Spanish-speaking kids, their performance tends to improve. Dramatically.
If I do pursue teaching, I will definately do this. Right now I can't due to a full time job, but I have enough savings where I could live off them/any sub work I got, while I put as much time as I could into getting certified.
I am interested in just this thing (Biology not Physics). What state is this?
PA but other states have them as well. It is called an internship certification.