Teacher - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

feelgood · 10-12-2004, 01:06 PM

For a little over awhile, I've been thinking about becoming a teacher rather than a systems programmer simply because it's not fun anymore to be a programmer, I have to put up with all kinds of crap. When I think about becoming a mathematics/computer science teacher, I know I still have to put up with kids and their parents and so forth. But to know that they're gonna go off my influence and become somebody important is what really makes it all worthwhile right?

So, I wanted to know what is involved in becoming a teacher. So far, I've researched in what is required including getting a degree in a particular field which I figured mathematics would be the ideal one for me.

So, far, I've only got 4 more courses to get my diploma which I'm gonna get and then move on to University of Calgary to get a degreee in pure mathematics which I hope will be acceptable for teaching pure mathematics in high school along with computer science.

Any comments?

feelgood · 10-12-2004, 01:12 PM

And also, I know since I'm deaf and all, I've also thought about teaching at a deaf and hard of hearing school instead.

maleficent · 10-12-2004, 01:16 PM

It honestly depends on where you want to teach -- in the US, some states require a Masters Degree, other states, a BS/BA are all that's necessary. Plus you'd also need some teaching certifications.

I've actually thought about doing this - but I doin't have the time nor money (nor brains) to get a Masters in Math (which is what I would want to teach)

this site will give you a link to the requirements to teach in each of the 50 states.
http://www.uky.edu/Education/TEP/usacert.html

Teaching is a lot of bureacracy, a lot of politics, low pay, not as much respect as you should get, but it's an incredibly noble profession and there is such a shortage of good teachers, and you will make a difference in peoples lives.

samiam · 10-12-2004, 01:55 PM

If you are serious about going into teaching, look carefully at yourself and the best teachers you ever had. if you can find similiarities, go for it. Teaching is a great responsibility and you should be prepared to strive to be the best you can be. As a teacher, you inlfuence young lives for years after your initial contact. My watchword has always been to treat everyone I had contact with the way I wanted my own children to be treated.

Cycler · 10-12-2004, 02:08 PM

Public education while rewarding (in the non monetary sense) can be one of the most frustrating things ever. With the obstacles you have overcome you could be an inspiration to the students you teach at either a common public school or in a speciality setting such as the one you mentioned.

I agree with samiam it takes alot to be a teacher I had great role models in my education growing up which led me to pursue my degree in psychology and subsequent masters in counseling.

Be prepared for never having the same day twice, never knowing what kid brings to your world. It's tough but hey most of the really good things in life are.

Slavakion · 10-12-2004, 02:14 PM

Be ready to take a lot of shit from students if you teach high school level. Earlier than that, they tend to still fear you. Later than that, they grow up (most of them...

) And don't plan on making a whole lot of money. Not all teachers are underpaid, but...

But hey, any adult who isn't a total ass will respect you!

So what grade are you thinking of teaching? The programming would be high school/college, but you mentioned math.

denim · 10-12-2004, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feelgood

For a little over awhile, I've been thinking about becoming a teacher rather than a systems programmer simply because it's not fun anymore to be a programmer, I have to put up with all kinds of crap. When I think about becoming a mathematics/computer science teacher, I know I still have to put up with kids and their parents and so forth. But to know that they're gonna go off my influence and become somebody important is what really makes it all worthwhile right?

I don't know, but it's certainly an interesting idea. Why not get your degree, do a few years of work in the field, and then decide then? Experience won't hurt.

JumpinJesus · 10-12-2004, 02:41 PM

I teach 5th grade on Chicago's West Side. I'll try to give you the pros and cons of what I do.

I'll give you the cons first.

1. Your 8 to 4 job is teaching. All the grading of papers, planning of lessons, and any other paper work is done on your own time. You can expect around an extra 3 or 4 hours a day of work beyond what you do in the classroom.

2. If you end up in a shitty school (be it administration, behavior of students or parents, money, or any other circumstance) you can feel as though you're running into a brick wall on a daily basis and can do nothing about it.

3. There will be some students and parents who will verbally abuse you daily. While I know this doesn't happen everywhere, there have been times where teachers have been assaulted and hospitalized by parents at my school because the child went home and accused the teacher of something.

4. The union will take your money whether you want their damn help or not.

5. The general public tends to think you're ruining our kids and politicians will blame you if your student with an IQ of 77 can't solve algebraic problems.

NOW, for the pros.

1. Once you bond with your students (which can take up to a month with some, even longer with others), there isn't a thing they won't do for you and not a thing you won't do for them.

2. Nothing can compare to knowing you helped an 11 year old read for the first time.

3. Having students come back to visit you years later because they miss you and you had that big an influence on them.

4. Hearing a parent say, "thank you for helping my child."

5. Knowing that you're taking a proactive role in their lives.

6. And having the vacations isn't bad, either.

As far as getting your certification, I'm not sure of the laws in Canada. My guess is that they may be somewhat similar to the U.S. I think Maleficent already provided a link for the requirements. A lot of states also offer alternative certification for people without education degrees who are wanting to switch careers.

Teaching is extremely stressful, but it's highly rewarding as well. Good luck with whatever you decide.

bonehed1 · 10-12-2004, 02:46 PM

GL on getting a degree in teaching....more power to you because I just couldn't handle anymore skewl even though a majority of my teachers were awesome. I visit them from time to time when I am in town and its a great feeling when you walk in there and they still remember you after years of not visiting. TEACHERS ROCK!!!

radioguy · 10-12-2004, 03:27 PM

i teach 4th grade in texas and i must say that it is a very rewarding job. everything that jumpinjesus said is very true, especially on the pro side. there really is no better feeling than having a kid finally "get it". you'll know that when you see it! hopefully, you'll get in a good school with a supportive adminstration.

before you enroll in certain degree program, make sure to know the grade that you want to teach. some programs go from grades 9-12, 6-8, 1-12. this will save you time later. good luck and enjoy it.

btw, an IQ of <70 is considered mentally retarded, in relation to jumpinjesus' reply.

10-12-2004, 01:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	Teacher For a little over awhile, I've been thinking about becoming a teacher rather than a systems programmer simply because it's not fun anymore to be a programmer, I have to put up with all kinds of crap. When I think about becoming a mathematics/computer science teacher, I know I still have to put up with kids and their parents and so forth. But to know that they're gonna go off my influence and become somebody important is what really makes it all worthwhile right? So, I wanted to know what is involved in becoming a teacher. So far, I've researched in what is required including getting a degree in a particular field which I figured mathematics would be the ideal one for me. So, far, I've only got 4 more courses to get my diploma which I'm gonna get and then move on to University of Calgary to get a degreee in pure mathematics which I hope will be acceptable for teaching pure mathematics in high school along with computer science. Any comments? __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

10-12-2004, 01:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	And also, I know since I'm deaf and all, I've also thought about teaching at a deaf and hard of hearing school instead. __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

10-12-2004, 01:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	It honestly depends on where you want to teach -- in the US, some states require a Masters Degree, other states, a BS/BA are all that's necessary. Plus you'd also need some teaching certifications. I've actually thought about doing this - but I doin't have the time nor money (nor brains) to get a Masters in Math (which is what I would want to teach) this site will give you a link to the requirements to teach in each of the 50 states. http://www.uky.edu/Education/TEP/usacert.html Teaching is a lot of bureacracy, a lot of politics, low pay, not as much respect as you should get, but it's an incredibly noble profession and there is such a shortage of good teachers, and you will make a difference in peoples lives. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

10-12-2004, 02:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cycler Float on.... Alright Location: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, i.e. Oklahoma	Public education while rewarding (in the non monetary sense) can be one of the most frustrating things ever. With the obstacles you have overcome you could be an inspiration to the students you teach at either a common public school or in a speciality setting such as the one you mentioned. I agree with samiam it takes alot to be a teacher I had great role models in my education growing up which led me to pursue my degree in psychology and subsequent masters in counseling. Be prepared for never having the same day twice, never knowing what kid brings to your world. It's tough but hey most of the really good things in life are. __________________ "I'm not even supposed to be here today." "I assure you we're open."

10-12-2004, 02:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	I teach 5th grade on Chicago's West Side. I'll try to give you the pros and cons of what I do. I'll give you the cons first. 1. Your 8 to 4 job is teaching. All the grading of papers, planning of lessons, and any other paper work is done on your own time. You can expect around an extra 3 or 4 hours a day of work beyond what you do in the classroom. 2. If you end up in a shitty school (be it administration, behavior of students or parents, money, or any other circumstance) you can feel as though you're running into a brick wall on a daily basis and can do nothing about it. 3. There will be some students and parents who will verbally abuse you daily. While I know this doesn't happen everywhere, there have been times where teachers have been assaulted and hospitalized by parents at my school because the child went home and accused the teacher of something. 4. The union will take your money whether you want their damn help or not. 5. The general public tends to think you're ruining our kids and politicians will blame you if your student with an IQ of 77 can't solve algebraic problems. NOW, for the pros. 1. Once you bond with your students (which can take up to a month with some, even longer with others), there isn't a thing they won't do for you and not a thing you won't do for them. 2. Nothing can compare to knowing you helped an 11 year old read for the first time. 3. Having students come back to visit you years later because they miss you and you had that big an influence on them. 4. Hearing a parent say, "thank you for helping my child." 5. Knowing that you're taking a proactive role in their lives. 6. And having the vacations isn't bad, either. As far as getting your certification, I'm not sure of the laws in Canada. My guess is that they may be somewhat similar to the U.S. I think Maleficent already provided a link for the requirements. A lot of states also offer alternative certification for people without education degrees who are wanting to switch careers. Teaching is extremely stressful, but it's highly rewarding as well. Good luck with whatever you decide. __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

10-12-2004, 01:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
samiam Crazy	If you are serious about going into teaching, look carefully at yourself and the best teachers you ever had. if you can find similiarities, go for it. Teaching is a great responsibility and you should be prepared to strive to be the best you can be. As a teacher, you inlfuence young lives for years after your initial contact. My watchword has always been to treat everyone I had contact with the way I wanted my own children to be treated.

10-12-2004, 02:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Slavakion Mjollnir Incarnate Location: Lost in thought	Be ready to take a lot of shit from students if you teach high school level. Earlier than that, they tend to still fear you. Later than that, they grow up (most of them... ) And don't plan on making a whole lot of money. Not all teachers are underpaid, but... But hey, any adult who isn't a total ass will respect you! So what grade are you thinking of teaching? The programming would be high school/college, but you mentioned math.

10-12-2004, 02:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
bonehed1 Psycho Location: California	GL on getting a degree in teaching....more power to you because I just couldn't handle anymore skewl even though a majority of my teachers were awesome. I visit them from time to time when I am in town and its a great feeling when you walk in there and they still remember you after years of not visiting. TEACHERS ROCK!!! __________________ Stuff is Good

10-12-2004, 03:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	i teach 4th grade in texas and i must say that it is a very rewarding job. everything that jumpinjesus said is very true, especially on the pro side. there really is no better feeling than having a kid finally "get it". you'll know that when you see it! hopefully, you'll get in a good school with a supportive adminstration. before you enroll in certain degree program, make sure to know the grade that you want to teach. some programs go from grades 9-12, 6-8, 1-12. this will save you time later. good luck and enjoy it. btw, an IQ of <70 is considered mentally retarded, in relation to jumpinjesus' reply.