Teaching as a career

[Britster]

Any teachers in here?

I am working on getting my bachelors. I'm slow but will get there eventually I have 42 credits now (60 needed for an associates). Teaching is something that's always been in the back of my mind... I like the schedule it provides and though I am a "dog person" -- I love kids, too, and enjoy their innocent qualities they possess (I'd wanna teach elementary school kids). I am a personable girl with a pretty good personality (I consider myself fairly outgoing) and think I'd be good in a classroom environment.

In Maryland, it seems to me that teaching is a pretty decent living according to a few people I've met. A lot of people seem to move here for teaching jobs. But I know teaching in general has been harder to find jobs... but I have not looked into this too much yet.

I've been in the "I have no idea what I want to do" boat for the past 3 years (graduated HS in 2008) and I'm sick of it. I've stayed in the community college, taking one semester off, and this semester I only did 2 classes, because I never had a real "goal" to strive towards but I wanted to continue getting a lot of the pre-reqs out of the way. I feel like if I have a goal of becoming a teacher, I will be SO much more motivated knowing what I want to do. If that makes sense. I realize life can always change but teaching seems like a realistic goal for me. If I have something to aim for, school will be more... important to me, I guess.

Anybody a teacher?? Enjoy it, just like it, don't like it at all? I wanna hear good, bad and the ugly and what it takes to become a teacher and be one!!

[Wylie's Mom]

I wish Marcie (Marcerella) was on here more often. She is a teacher and has been doing it maybe 2-ish years - so she'd have great perspective. Maybe you could try PMing her?

[Maximo]

I'm not a teacher, but I secretly desire to teach kids history and share my passion for the subject.

My teacher-friends find it very rewarding and challenging.

A teacher's schedule may appear flexible, but keep in mind the many hours spent outside class time developing lesson plans and grading homework and tests.

I think this would be a great career choice and I believe there are many tuition assistance incentives for people who choose to go into teaching.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I am a teacher. And let me start by saying I love my job. There are many perks!!! Pay is decent. Especially if you consider the time off. I am not going to say it is super easy like people think. There are things that you have to do at home. I am making a worksheet right now!!!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I'm not a teacher, but I secretly desire to teach kids history and share my passion for the subject.

My teacher-friends find it very rewarding and challenging.

A teacher's schedule may appear flexible, but keep in mind the many hours spent outside class time developing lesson plans and grading homework and tests.

I think this would be a great career choice and I believe there are many tuition assistance incentives for people who choose to go into teaching.

Thank you for noticing that we really don't work 8 to 3!

[Maximo]

Lisaly is in education. I'm sure she will comment, or you can contact her.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

Thank you for noticing that we really don't work 8 to 3!

You are welcome.

[Britster]

Thanks guys!

I am just now looking into this seriously, but am pretty sure I'd want to teach kindergarten-3rd grade.

I totally realize it's not "easy"- not looking for an easy career or anything! hehe. But I just think it'd be a good schedule meaning I generally know what my day is going to be like, etc. Not like nursing or something where hours can be wacky, etc. I am up for the challenge!

So right now my major is listed as 'business management' so I have done a lot of the basics- both my English classes are completed (Eng111 and 112), intro to business, basic things like that, etc. My community college actually offers an associates in elementary education so I'd probably talk to my counselor to see where I am at and what I would need to do to be ready to transfer to a 4yr for teaching....

It's always been in my head but I am just recently researching about it and finally feel like I've found something I can realistically see myself doing and working towards. And maybe one day I will be a dog trainer, too. My first passion

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by Britster

Thanks guys!

And maybe one day I will be a dog trainer, too. My first passion

Well, you would still be teaching!!

[elemtchr99]

I have been a teacher for 12 years. I taught 4th grade for 10 years, self-contained, which means I taught every subject...a couple of those though I did teach only reading, English, and history. The last 2 years I was moved to 5th grade and teach only reading and English. I really like teaching a couple subjects as opposed to all of them. I was in nursing, but since my 1st daughter was young, I changed to teaching so my schedule would better suit hers. I like teaching, but I do regret not going through with nursing school. The pay is NOT good. I did go ahead and get my national boards because in my state that is a yearly bonus of $6,000. Without that, it would have been even harder. It is NOT a job you can walk out the door and leave there until the next day. You will have to do lots of work at home, especially the first few years. It is a good schedule with having Sophie also. My husband works a swing shift, so it's only every other week that Sophie is here by herself during the day. I cannot run home and check on her, but she does have free reign of the house so she is not crated for long periods of time. She never gets closed in a crate. I've been lucky that she is not a chewer, and she is 100% pee pad trained now.

It's not that bad of a job, and I do love my students. I also enjoy my summers off. I have 2 full weeks left, then I'm off until the 1st week in August Big bonus

Good luck if that is what you decide to do.

[Jennxling]

Originally Posted by Britster

Any teachers in here?

I am working on getting my bachelors. I'm slow but will get there eventually I have 42 credits now (60 needed for an associates). Teaching is something that's always been in the back of my mind... I like the schedule it provides and though I am a "dog person" -- I love kids, too, and enjoy their innocent qualities they possess (I'd wanna teach elementary school kids). I am a personable girl with a pretty good personality (I consider myself fairly outgoing) and think I'd be good in a classroom environment.

In Maryland, it seems to me that teaching is a pretty decent living according to a few people I've met. A lot of people seem to move here for teaching jobs. But I know teaching in general has been harder to find jobs... but I have not looked into this too much yet.

I've been in the "I have no idea what I want to do" boat for the past 3 years (graduated HS in 2008) and I'm sick of it. I've stayed in the community college, taking one semester off, and this semester I only did 2 classes, because I never had a real "goal" to strive towards but I wanted to continue getting a lot of the pre-reqs out of the way. I feel like if I have a goal of becoming a teacher, I will be SO much more motivated knowing what I want to do. If that makes sense. I realize life can always change but teaching seems like a realistic goal for me. If I have something to aim for, school will be more... important to me, I guess.

Anybody a teacher?? Enjoy it, just like it, don't like it at all? I wanna hear good, bad and the ugly and what it takes to become a teacher and be one!!

Hey Brit!! My aunt is a high school teacher. The pros is that teaching can be quite rewarding. My aunt stays after school and helps her students when they need it. However, where there's good students, there's also bad students. My aunt has told me some crazy stories about the stuff her students did. Last time I talked to her, she was telling me how her students didn't do hw and so she called their parents to get them involved. Unfortunately, the parents don't seem to care as much parents should be. It gets tough, but when you put in a lot of effort in trying to help these students, it can be rewarding. My aunt teaches at a school where it's mostly low income students, which can be more difficult as students are more apathetic towards learning. Is there a grade (age-range) that you'd like to teach?

I TOTALLY understand what you mean when there's a goal, school becomes easier. I transferred last year and now I don't know what I'm going to do, which distracts me from schoolwork. I feel lost and confused. All I knew before it that I want to transfer in two years to a premier university, but didn't know what afterward. Now, I have been searching for careers and am thinking about becoming a veterinarian. I just LOVE animals, esp dogs. Thus, I kind of know what I'm going to do, but I'm uncertain because for vet, I would have to go back to Community College to finish pre-req classes. Gosh! School is getting SO HARD these days. Tuition is also unbelievably high! I hope I find a career that I am certain of soon...good luck in your academic endeavors!

Wanted to add:
We are the same year!! I also graduated HS in 08! lol Also, I forgot to mention, as a teacher, you have to put in a lot of work from home, such as lecture, hw grading, etc. I used to have to type up lectures for my aunt (math teacher) and grade her tests, hw, and quizzes. There's a lot of pressure on teachers too as economy is not doing so well. Hope this all helped somewhat...

[CouversMom]

I just graduated in December with a degree in Elementary Education (K-8), so I am a teacher too! I have been substituting since I graduated because there are not many jobs here, and I don't expect to get a job in the fall either because of budget cuts.

I think it is a very rewarding career, but it is not a career where you will be done with your education at your bachelors degree. You will have to get a masters (at least in Washington we do ), and do a certain number of credits a year to keep your certificate. Your schooling comes out of your own pocket, but you will get a raise when you complete it.

While there are many benefits to teaching (summers off, regular hours etc), you will spend a lot of time outside of school grading, writing lesson plans and prepping.

My end goal is to get my administrative credentials and to become a vice principal or principal at an elementary school. I just love going to school, so I know I am not done yet

Whatever you choose, I'm sure you will be successful at it.

[Ellie May]

The pay isn't good and jobs aren't plentiful here anyway, but I think if it's what you want, then go for it. Pay is terrible for most things now-a-days.

In MI, you can sub as long as you have 90 credits from a Uni (or at least some from a Uni and the rest have to have been transferrable to a 4-year). I'm not sure if this goes for the younger grades or just high school, but if MD has smilar rules, then maybe you could get some experience before deciding if this is what you want. Maybe cousin majored in math with the intenetion of becoming a HS math teacher. Got to student teaching and hated it, so this isn't the way he'll be going.

I'll send this thread to Marci and see if she has time to come over and answer i. I know she is usually very busy....grading papers. lol

[BacisMom]

SO, I have my masters in elementary education. I just graduated in December. I have not been able to find a permanent position and I do not think it is going to happen anytime soon. However, I am persistent on my search and am substituting in the mean time. I cant tell you how many people ask me why i would want to be a teach and how they dont make the best salary in comparison to the schooling required. (especially all the standards you need to meet in NY)

I found this and thought i would share it with all you educators out there...



The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argues, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?
(She paused for a second and then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could."
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents ca't make them sit for 5 without an IPod, Xbox, or movie rental.
"You want to know what I make?" (she paused again and looked at each and every person at the table)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and MEAN IT.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write an them MAKE them write. Keyboarding isnt everything.

I make them read, read, READ.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make students from other countries learn everything they need to know about english while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, i can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant."... "You know what I make?"

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE," "What do you make Mr. CEO?"

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

[jeanm1963]

My younger cousin is a bit older then you , she is a teacher in Massachusetts.
She spent her college years as a teacher assistant and camp counselor in the summer. She really loves teaching , she is a first grade teacher now and finds it very rewarding.
Why not look into summer camp or a pre school ( year round) assistant job for now just to see if you like the atmosphere. They pay is not the best but again it gets you into the area of work you are looking for. Just an idea!! She worked at the YMCA summer camp program for a couple years and loved it!