If you had to teach a high school subject, what would it be?
 

English. I'd focus on a passion for literature and reading and less on the technical aspects.

I'd like to teach a class that synthesized social studies and literature. History and literature go together like peas and carrots, and philosophy helps us to better understand ourselves and the books we read.

I'd also like to teach health--I would like for kids to have correct information, and plenty of it.

I wouldn't be able to decide.

I'd love to teach History, Government, Science, or Art.

I'd be a sub!

I was a high school teacher of social studies for 13 years.

I taught World Geography, U.S. History, World History, Government, and Economics. I never wanted to teach anything else. Social studies is so broad as to give you an excuse to talk about almost anything with students.

I'd teach P.E. Math was my best subject but I get it so quickly that my knowing it isn't what I need to be able to teach it to someone. Either they'd get it or not, and if not then I'm no help. P.E. on the other hand was one of my favorite courses, mostly my weightlifting class because the teacher was more about you trying then actual strength or the numbers you put up. He was a great motivator and I'd want to try and do the same.

English.

I'd teach the importance of clear communication via literature, creative writing, and below-the-radar grammar.

I was a teacher's aide for three years teaching mostly English to the Basic Skills kids. I loved teaching them how to write, to express themselves on paper.

I'd probably teach History simply because of my love for the subject matter. The more and more I get into my degree, though, the more I would love to teach physics or a basic science course because I think people need a better scientific understanding of the world around them.

This is what I've found in teaching. Math is my best subject so I always thought that's what I'd be great at teaching. However, I'm best when teaching writing which was always my worst subject. I guess it's because I struggled with it so I know how to foster and help the students. I was shocked when I had teachers coming to me saying that the administration told them to observe my writing classes.

On the flip side, JJ is great at writing, but better at teaching math. We always compliment each other like that. I can't wait until he starts his math classes for his Master's...it's going to be fun to help him or just do the work with him.

However, I would never teach high school. I hate teenagers. My preference is k-3.

Government.

Beneath checks and balances exists a wonderful history of compromises, ranging from Henry Clay into the present with current Supreme Court cases. I have observed in my high school and, now, college classes that few students appreciate the American system of government and even less soundly understand the mechanisms.

Music education. I have been in sales for years but have often wondered where I would be had I stayed with my original plan to teach music.

Linguistics.

I teach (part-time while I'm in rabbinical school) at a Jewish High School, and I've taught classes in Torah (Bible) and in Jewish Ethics and in Jewish Law. If I were teaching secular studies (which I've never done in a classroom, although I've done a lot of tutoring) I'd be teaching either Literature or History. Ideally, I'd follow Snowy's model and do an integrated Humanities curriculum of Literature, History, and Western Thought.

Biology. It was alway easy for me, but I think that's because I had a way of looking at it that was different than everyone else. If I could teach that way of thinking, it would make a difficult subject into an easy one.

P.E. - im a swimming coach in my spare time.

but ive always been the active type and always told my mum when i was young that i wanted to become a PE teacher cos you wouldnt have to dress up to go to work and you can rock up in a pair of tracksuit pants and still be dressed for the job.

Movie Appreciation.

I think if I taught this class, I would watch movies all day and then talk about everything around it.

I had actually given very serious consideration to becoming a History/Civics teacher.

Then I realized that I have absolutely no patience for stupid jackasses, and that I would be jailed within my first week for slamming some young punks ass up against the classroom wall.

cooking - basic stuff not dinner parties or wedding cakes but meals than can be made easy and on a budget

World History (as in ancient stuff)
Economics.
A film appreciation class would be fun too.

Art and Music...makes sense. Both things I thoroughly enjoy. I like other subjects too, but can't see myself not getting tired of them fast enough.

I have taught before but it's really not my calling. It was cool to realize I did have something I could impart, and to see people progress...but I hated preparing the classes.

I would teach Science Fiction Composition and Comprehension, which means it's be a hybrid of scientific theory and literature (probably along with government, economics, technology, anthropology, sociology, etc.). I'd probably start with the Foundation series and work my way through the greats, ending at Dune. I'd grade compositions on originality, scientific accuracy, grammar and "style".

How to get your instructor fired.

Teenagers *shudder*

I would teach either social studies for points listed above; it is broad and can take several forms. I would also love to do technology education. I took 4 years of pre engineering classes in high school and would love to teach it.

Calculus or Honors Chemistry or Honors Physics. I love teaching students who want to learn. It's so difficult teaching students who have no interest in learning, especially when I go back and look at my hometown.

Oh yeah, I'd definitely want mine to be an elective. And not an "easy a" elective.

How many TFP teachers would grade on a curve, I wonder...

Political Science, English AP, Theatre Arts, or Physics 121 AP. Wrap your mind around that.

No curve here...I'm a believer in outcome based education, but not the way NCLB promotes it (measuring outcomes via standardized testing seems the lazy way out to me). I wouldn't assign grades. I don't believe they're demonstrative of actual learning on the part of the student. Can the student show me, the teacher, that they know the material and have learned the appropriate skills? I've thought of a number of ways to evaluate mastery of skills and knowledge beyond standardized testing (I hate hate hate that stuff) and the existing system of grades. These are also reasons why I no longer want to be a teacher in the public school system--too much focus on students jumping through hoops instead of teaching actual critical thought and analysis.

Media Studies/Media Literacy.

Personal Finance :D

Beware of non-public schools that still rely on government money like charter schools. That is the first time I was ever told/expected to make up grades or give the same test over and over until the 80% was given. They look good on paper because they can write what they want. Talk about jumping through hoops. At least, that's been my experiences.

And while grades seem to be a bad idea, they can be beneficial. You have to have a measurement so the kids and parents can see growth. I'm for the pre-test/post-test route. That way they can see what they've accomplished. Letter grades aren't the problem, but standardized tests are a huge problem for many reasons. I can't wait to see the next thing to come along because it has to be better.

Anyway, continue on with the regularly scheduled thread. :)

I'd teach either math or science. This is definitely a fallback career option for me.

I'd be up for teaching personal finance, too. I think this and some sort of "life skills" class should be mandatory in high school.

Where I live the schools have made PD (or personal development) mandatory. It's a great class (although I didn't take it, I've taken part in it after graduation) with some real value. A great deal of students leave with a better head on their shoulders and you can't say that for a lot of high school classes.

Health and Sex Ed-Now who here is surprised by that? :)

I also like science, biology or chemistry.

I would love to teach in junior high or high school!!!!!

I'd be a substitute and refuse to sugar coat answers to literally anything kids asked. If they want to BS away their education with stupid shit, I'd give them uncensored, unfiltered stupid answers back. If they wanted to know anything about real subjects, I'd answer it or look it up and give an answer.

I wouldn't last a week in our public schools.

Music

it was the only reason i went to school really...

I've been a tutor for two years at my university. They let me tutor nearly any science (physical/chemical/engineering/modern), all math, and English composition.

If I could teach a class, I would teach the derivation of classical mechanics (Newton's laws) from modern physics (relativity, quantum mechanics). I would try to hand wave the calculus since few high school students would follow it.

I'd be the cool shop teacher that all the young whippersnappers can relate to.

Chem and biology here. As cut and dry as the introductory theory is, I'd add interest with aquariums (my present source of employment) to add a hands on approach. Any dead fish...there's dissection to see internal anatomy, microscopes and staining techniques for pathology.

JM2C

Phew, thought I was going to be the only physics teacher. Although, my physics classes would be more applied than theoretical. In fact, I'd much rather gather up the nerds and help them enter robotics, rocketry, and other engineering competitions. Is that a class these days?