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Considering teaching. High School or Elementary?
I am currently an English major. I expect to graduate in May 2013. I plan to do an alternative certification program called practitioner teacher. This program will include 7 weeks of summer classes with a paid internship teaching kids to receive certification.
I am just unsure whether I should teach grades 1-5 or high school. I worked as a teacher assistant in a French Immersion program for a semester (kindergarten kids) at a Title 1 school. I like working with little kids. I found that some of them just need motivation to succeed.
I don't have any experience working with high school kids in an acedemic setting. I thought I might prefer high school because I could focus on specific subjects such as English (literature and papers, not just grammer) and Social Studies (I have a history minor). I am just a little worried about an issue of respect. I am in my early 30s but look young for my age. I get IDed alot. I also have a petite build (5'1", 125).
I am not sure if teenagers would try to overpower me in the classroom.
I looked at the starting salary for the parish (which is like a county) that I would like to teach and believe it is the same pay to teach high school as it is elementary.
I would like to hear from teachers who have insight on this matter. I plan to teach in the public school system.
Thanks!
Re: Considering teaching. High School or Elementary?
I'm not a teacher, but my twin sister is. She would tell you that any kids are going to try and overpower you in a classroom. From what she's seen, from kindergarten through high school, easily intimidated new teachers drop like flies right away. You may think you'll get to concentrate on your subject of expertise in high school, but a lot of public school systems today ask teachers to leave their subject and instead teach something else depending on what the school's needs are. I know a lot of teachers who taught one thing initially, and then were told something along the lines of, "Guess what, now you're teaching algebra. Don't know a thing about it? Too bad." I'd see how your internship goes and be realistic with yourself. Are you prepared to do this day after day? Try and get some hands on experience with high school students and the young kids, if possible. And ask the teachers to be straight up with you about their jobs. Teaching is NOT EASY. And in the public school system, the administration will make it more difficult on you than the kids will. Get ready for corruption, politics, and all kinds of craziness. All that being said, I think teaching is one of the most honorable careers out there and good teachers make such a huge difference in kids' lives. But you really have to have a thick skin, and you really, really, really have to want to be a teacher more than anything. It has to be your calling. If you're a pushover, you won't survive.
Thanks for your response. I do have some exprience working with little kids. I was in a volunteer organization where I participated in tutoring little kids in a French immersion class as well as after school tutoring ranging from K-5. It was probably one of the worst elementary schools in my parish, which is why I was there (I went to places with the most need). I was essentially a teacher's assistance. The kids really liked me and cried when I left. I still have their thank you notes. I also sold shoes in the Children's Dept at a retail store for nearly a year. It is a more involved job than one would think. Kids crack me up.
I am advertising for English and French tutoring. Perhaps if I could work with some teenagers in that enviroment that might help. Although one on one tutoring would probably be nothing compared to an entire classroom.
I initally chose English as a major to become a writer. Despite popular belief you don't need an English degree to write, it is often required when apply for Technical writing or Grant writing telecommunication jobs.
I am thinking I could perhaps freelance write during the summer I am off from teaching.
I am considering teaching because it seems like a substantial income(at least in my state) with weekends off and paid holidays. I also like dealing with children. I find motivating a child and positive reinforcement can go a long way. Another thing is that my husband and I would like to have at least one child in the coming years. I think this job presents a good schedule for someone with a family.
I am pretty flexible so I suppose having to teach a subject I normally would plan to, may be ok. I have an associates in Computer Info Technology and used to be a science nerd at one time. I find geology really interesting. I just didn't major in it because I wasn't willing to endure physics and calc. So if the subject within reason, I might be able to deal.
I am very open minded. I could see myself doing other things as well. It just seems teaching would be the most economically sound. I know it shouldn't be all about money, and it's not. I think I could do well with teaching. It is just hard to know before you are in it.
While any experience can be valuable, tutoring is nothing like teaching. Not even in the same universe.
I'd set up some times to go and observe at both levels and go from there. If you can get some subbing experience in, that's even better although again won't even begin to give you an accurate picture.
I am literally laughing at your "weekends off and paid holidays" comment. What. a. joke. and if that's what you're in this for, you won't last a year and should just walk away now. You're not generally "off all summer" either as most districts require you to attend workshops and meetings to continue your education/training. I don't mean to sound harsh, but that's the truth. I'm a 4th grade teacher and we've been in school for 4 days. Guess what I did this week? Put in 12+ hours days and guess what I did this weekend after 4 days of school? Graded papers for at least 2 hours. And I'm not really even into "teaching" mode yet. That dosnt even take into account the hours upon hours I spent in my classroom before I was required to be there getting things ready.
Think about your job market. At any given high school you'll have a very limited amount of English teachers which is also (generally) one of the most saturated markets for teachers where as elementary you'd have a larger pool to pick from. However, please don't think the littler the kid the smaller the work load. Most MS/HS teachers have 1-2 preps, maybe 3. I have 6 every. single. day.
I am going to apologize up front for being blunt, but there's no other way to put this.
You are not cut out to be a teacher if you are going into it for the salary, schedule, or "weekends off and paid holidays." To help give back to the community and get the budgets passed, we've taken pay freezes. I have the equivalent of two masters' degrees and if I were working in the business sector I would be making close to double my salary given my experience and education.
Weekends and vacations off? You know what I've spent this summer doing? Taking more classes to maintain my certification and started work on our school's play...did I mention that I don't have kids until September 4th, yet I've been doing school stuff all summer? During drama season I spend one day each weekend at the school for a minimum of two-three months. Coaches do it for an entire season. And leaving work at the office? Forget it. Papers don't grade themselves.
Teaching is a calling. You either have it or you don't - it's not something you grow into as you do it. Do you get better at it each year? Absolutely. But unless you feel that this is the one thing you need to do in your life, don't do it. You will burn out in less than 3 years and walk away, and have to start over. And I'm sorry to say this, but it's people like you who give teachers a bad rap, and it's why politicians feel the need to create legislation that will be impossible to sustain. If you want to teach, then teach. But don't go into it for the supposed perks - they're not "real," and you'll not only regret it but the kids will KNOW that you're not teaching because you love it.
Again, I don't mean to be a b*tch - but you need to hear the truth. It's not an easy profession and if you do choose to go into it, you should go into it with your eyes open. I do it because I love it and I love working with the kids - but when people tell me that I have the easiest job ever I either laugh at them or yell at them, depending on the day. Just being honest.
RIP Dr. Irving Fishman - 10/1/19-7/25/10 - thank you for holding on for me.
You made my wedding day complete.
Thanks for your response.
I thank everyone for your honesty. I didn't mean to upset anyone. I am quite a compassionate person. With that being said, I think some of my statements were misconstruded.I have given back to my community in many ways by being active in various organizations.
I will look into other avenues for a profession before decidng what field to go into.
I just wanted to say that as a Early Childhood teacher, that has mostly taught 3rd grade, getting into the lower grades is VERY competitive. I don't know what your area is like, but I have moved three times, and my job search has been getting more difficult each time because not only do I have 5+ years experience, but a masters degree + more. With that said, there are other ways to tutor and work with children and get paid while still pursuing another career. You can work part time for a tutoring program (or for that matter, start your own) like Sullivan Learning Center. You would still need a degree and certification, but then you could look at other options as career choices.
Just a thought. Like others have said, teaching is NOT easy and you have to be tough, not take things too personal, but at the same time be compassionate.
I am sure with some time, you will find something that fits for you. Good luck.
I agree. Teaching is a calling. Most every teacher I know - knew they wanted to be a teacher as a child. I am a 3rd grade teacher - and even though I worked in the "real world" before - and worked 10 hours a day - I've never worked harder in my life than I have as a teacher. Can I imagine doing anything else? No. That proves that it's a calling and something inside you. There's also a moral standard/obligation that I am surprised no one else mentioned. We are held to a higher standard (next to priests) in our actions. Do you ever see accountants who had relationships with minors on the news? The last thing you want to do is be seen at a local resturant having a drink (gasp!) and be seen by parents in your school community. It will be all the talk by the time you get back to school Monday morning.
It is a rewarding job though, and I am fortunate enough that I have a great group of hard-working, dedicated people around me. That's also not a given. My first two years were with a group of mean, hateful teachers who all needed to retire.
Teaching is really difficult. I got my degree in secondary education (high school) for social studies and political science. I discovered during my student teaching, that this was not the field for me. Long hours, not enough pay and the students were hard to deal with on some days. However, I finished it and graduated then went back to school and got my paralegal certificate. Now I am in a field that I love! I really admire teachers and what they do. I agree with PP's, it's a lot of politics and red tape, you are held to a really high standard and you have to watch everything you do. You don't want to hug a student and end up on the 6 o'clock news. Think long and hard about teaching before you take the plunge. I wish I would have realized it before I spent all that time and effort on it.