Teaching as a career
 

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!!

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?

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.

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!!! :D

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

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

You are welcome. :)

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 :)

Well, you would still be teaching!! :D

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.

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...

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.

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

What do teachers make?
 

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.

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!

My good best friend is a teacher, she teaches Kindergarten, she loves it!! She also works at a bar on the weekends, and she is in real estate, but she says that she loves what she does, if you want I can give you her email and you can talk with her, I’m sure she wont mind!!

I have been a teacher in the public school system for 26 years (24 in the Dade County Public Schools -- Miami). I, personally, would not advise a young person to go into teaching now.

I wanted to be a teacher when I was in Middle School, but I work in retail (assistant manager of a department story and fashion buyer) and in banking (started as a teller and worked my way up to management)

I can say teaching is the hardest job I ever had. You are not with other adults, you can not go to the bathroom when you need to, often do not get duty free lunch, discipline is a constant issue. I really get tired.

I have taught pre-school two years, Hight School for 8 years (started in an inter city High School in Miami-Dade County-- wow small town girl meets the getto!!!) and for the past 14 years or so have been in a Middle School in an affluent neighborhood. I work many 12 hour days, bring work home on the week ends and worry about everything.

I guess I could say it was all worth it... I love most of my students. I know I have changed lives and made a difference. That is so important!!!

I am just so upset with how teachers are being treated now! In our county the pay scale/ step increases are of various sizes -- and we had a contract.
In the past you could look at the steps and knew what you would be making in the future.... the carrot was dangled in front of our noses for so many years (work now for below average pay and when you get to 22 years you will have a nice salary). I should be make 26,000.00 (with perks) 12,000.0 (without perks) more than I am making for the past 4 years that our steps and salaries have been frozen. That is a lot of money to have depended on. Now we are taking a 3% paycut.. and who know what else??

I am angry, I am bitter. I am too old to recoup. I have 5 more years before I will have 30 in thus I have to stay... I will do what is morally correct for my students... but my heart and pride is broken.

Don't get me wrong... I totally understand not getting raises, but the media is treating us with disrespect.. the kids are out of control and parents, for the most part, don't support us. I can almost laugh at the parents who think private school is better. I just don't know when a government, state, or county worker became the bad guy!

Sorry... now the good would be -- to do what you love. Do what you love because of how you feel about it and the rewards you get.. because that is all you can depend on. Take care of your joy, your goals, and your heart and you will be fine

I am a teacher in Canada, so it is quite a bit different from the US but one thing seems to be the same- rough time to become a teacher. There are NO jobs here! I am very lucky to have a job right now but when my contract ends in June I am not guaranteed anything.

Teaching is BUSY- hence why I am hardly on here anymore- no time! But I 100% love what I do. I teach high school English and every morning (ok- MOST mornings!) i LOVE going to work.

I read you are interested in younger children so my "downfalls" wouldn't apply to you. There is a real sense of entitlement in high school, and I guess that could apply to elementary as well. The way the kids are being raised right now is not how I was raised and that can cause conflict because I won't take the crap they try to pull!

I wish you all the best finding a job. It is a WONDERFUL profession!

I taught for 27 years in Kentucky (all elementary special ed.) and now I am retired. I loved my job and it was very rewarding. However to be truthful, it could be very stressful and some days could go as long as 12 hours. But, the days off were wonderful and the pay was fine.

Good luck with your decision. :)

Just a tip while you're figuring things out in the mean time... I'm a student too as many of you know and recently I started picking up positions as a teaching assistant. I know it's a far shot off from teaching kindergarden, but it'll give you a chance to see what it's like to be a teacher. I really enjoyed being a teaching assistant, and it opened the door for me to want to be a professor some day. (and usually for universities/colleges they pay is good). It also gives you a great thing on your resume so that when you're fresh out of school you already have some teaching related stuff on your resume.

Before I finished college with my teaching degree I did some volunteer work at the school. It really does help to see somethings. :)

I will be finishing my thirty second year of teaching in June, and each day that I walk into my classroom I come alive. For me, I could not imagine a job more rewarding. I started teaching special education at the elementary level for six years, and I loved it. When I was offered a position in the high school I have been teaching in for the past twenty six years, I hesitated, but it has been such an amazing experience. It is one of the top schools in the country,which makes it really nice (although super pressured) but I loved working as a teacher in the NYC school system, too. I work as a resource room teacher with students with special needs, but I have also taught English, Math, Science, and History. Most of my students have learning disabilities, but I also work with students with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, emotional problems, and other disabilities. I definitely think if you decide to pursue a degree in elementary education, you should also become dually certified in special education. You will only need twelve additional credits to get the dual certification. With inclusion being so popular, you will have a lot of students with special needs in any classroom, so it is a must today, and I'm not seeing many people hired without it. After all of these years, I feel that same love of teaching that I did when I was younger. The job is demanding and exhausting, and it requires a lot of patience and communication with parents. The hours beyond the time in the classroom are great. Yet I am always learning, always in wonder at the accomplishment of our kids, and am the recipient of such love each day. I have been accepted into the lives and families of so many of my students, and really feel very privileged to be teaching. I was told to stay away from teaching when I started to pursue it in college, but I'm glad I didn't listen. Teaching is one of the things that defines who I am as a person, and it has brought such joy into my life. My "kids" mean the world to me. If you need my help, I'd be very happy to assist you. I've been mentoring my young assistants for years, and they have continued in teaching as a career. You would be a great teacher, Brit. I see how you are with Jackson, and he has thrived with your love and enthusiasm. That's what it takes to be a really good teacher, and our kids need people like you. Education has been attacked by many people, and so have teachers, and it does hurt. What really matters are the kids, though, and I learn so much from them each day. I am upset by what happens around me in education, but my "kids" rarely disappoint me. If teaching is in your heart, I'd pursue it. I have never regretted it for a second, even when there's not enough time to accomplish all that's needed and still get sleep and on those rare bad days for me. I'd never call it easy, but it is a job that's always very moving and rewarding.

Wow, thanks for all the amazing responses. I've learned a lot and got a lot of insight into this career that I never had before.

I still don't "know".... I really wish "Dog Training" was a degree in college!:yelrotflmI'd be there in a heartbeat! If you ask me what my #1 passion is, dogs would be it for sure. But I always feel like it's such a hard industry to make $$$ in. I realize money is not everything but I also don't want to struggle my whole life, so I guess teaching wouldn't be the best choice either, LOL. I guess my true dream would be to own my own facility, that was a boarding/training/doggy daycare place all in one, maybe do photography on the side. But sometimes I wonder if that would be possible (most of you know, I'm an independent dogwalker right now... got some listings off care.com and thru word of mouth and started my own 'business' though I am not incorporated yet or anything).

I just want to have a degree behind me first and foremost. I always wish I was one of those people that just KNEW what I wanted to do and had a goal to strive towards school-wise. I know those are rare, and most people end up not doing what their degree was for anyways. I mean, I've always been good with computers, but it's not a 'passion' of mine. I don't want to be one of those people that looks back at my life and says "gosh I wish I would have done that back then!"

Then again, dog training is a form of teaching. I feel like I'd have a similar philosophy for teaching kids as I would dogs and could use my self taught skills as well.

Brit, I think you do KNOW what you want. It's being suppressed because it's a long shot and seems too overwhelming.

You want to work with dogs. You want to train them and interact with their owners. You want to let them enjoy themselves and learn under your supervision.

If you really think you want to be a teacher, great. But from what I have seen on YT and from what you have very clearly stated, that is not your passion in life.

Hey, I want to be a vet. It's crazy expensive. Prereqs are extremely demanding. I have some huge barriers to get through. It seems impossible. But I'm not willing to settle on my second choice (whatever the heck that is!) before even trying.

This is what I would try to do in your case:
Get a business bachelors at the least.
Continue with your dog business, but really consider getting insured if at all possible. It's important to learn how to do this business stuff, it's safer for you, and you will probably have more clients.
Ask if you can use your clients as references for later. Maybe they could write you letters to save and hang in your boarding facility someday.
Save as much money as you can.
Always keep your goal in mind and stay focused on it.
Consider training seminars, certificates, programs, etc. to start building up your credentials. I know Bark Busters is very expensive and may not be your style, but the people who go through that program can charge $500 per dog, for example.

Follow your dreams and don't give up on your first choice unless you have to. Or..you can always be a teacher's aide or something and do both...

It took three times for me to get it right in college. I started out doing Surgery Tech, then changed to nursing, then changed to teaching. I even talked to the Psychology professor because I thought I wanted to do counseling. So, just hang in there. You will figure it out in due time! ;)

If this question was asked of me say.. two to three years ago... I would have given a totally different answer. I used to be so proud of being a teacher that shapes the future.. and I do shape my students. They know they are important to me.

I have friends who retired in the past couple of years and they are doing fine, they went through the system when pay was solid and the carrot that was dangled was given at the correct times. Times were good and they are lucky... not us.

I know we all are having rough times with the recession.. I just am having a bit of a pity party right now. I am sorry if I sounded so down on teaching, but I will restate.. if it is what your heart wants and nothing else will do - go for it!!! I would not advise teaching as a one and only choice now. I like EllaMay's advise a lot, it is close to what I give my children and students:)

It is funny because I am searching now for what I will do when I leave teaching in about 5 years. I also want to do something with dogs.:thumbup::rolleyes:
I will be too young to totally retire and want something that make me smile;)

Thanks! I think you just gave me the best most truthful advice I've ever got :)

I think you are right- I've got a good thing going already and I could just make it BIGGER and better. I definitely want to continue with college and have my bachelors degree for sure.

I actually have a close relationship with the clients I have now and do have a letter from one of them that I saved after her dog died last year that I had taken care of. I know all would be willing to recommend me to others (and some already have).

I was applied to be a trainer at Petsmart last year two times and they never call me back... I've heard it's near impossible to get a call back but the thing is they make you apply thru online so it kind of sucks. I wish I could find a training place around here to 'intern' at, I guess I could look into it more.

Thanks for your advice. :):)

If you are considering teaching, is there any way you could do volunteer work in a school? If you go in every once in awhile and spend time there and talk with teachers about the pros and cons and see what a "day in the life" is like, it may have an influence on your choice :) On top of that, if you do decide you'd love to be a teacher and get your degree, I'm sure some volunteer work on your resume could put you ahead of other applicants! I'm not sure what kind of volunteering you could do, if any, but it wouldn't hurt to look into it!

Personally, I switched what I wanted to do too, and still don't know what I want to do! I thought I wanted to be a pharmacist, but the competition to get into the college and limited funds meant I had to switch to something I knew I could get into immediately and finish. I was always good at math and science so I switched to Engineering :rolleyes: After a year and some more financial setbacks, I switched to a smaller tech school to take Engineering Technology. After 5 years of work I am glad I just took the diploma course and not a full-fledged degree, because I know now this isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life!

So I totally recommend research and volunteer work or job shadowing before you decide!

I am really sorry that you have been hurt by all of the negativity surrounding teachers, particularly with the recession. I can personally speak of the hurt when others are questioning your worth when it's something you truly believe in and love. I hate all of the testing, the emphasis on scores and grades, and how things are not as child centered. I am really fortunate to work in such a wonderful, unique district, but we are not immune to all of the challenges. I think all of this could easily have destroyed me because I love my work so much, but for me, it's the kids who keep drawing me back. When I close the door to my classroom, that's all that matters. You are making a difference that will last a lifetime for the students that you touch. Try to remember that and remember your true worth without listening to the negativity surrounding you.

Job shadowing showed me that nursing was not for me. That is when I decided to do teaching. Lol. I learned a LOT in just a few hours. Very good advice here!