anleja

I've been pondering my future and decided I'd like to do something for the good of society. Being a teacher is something that appeals to me, I really like kids, and feel I can relate pretty well with them. If anyone here is a teacher, I would appreciate any thoughts of what it takes to be a teacher, beyond the college required. I know this job isn't for everyone; what special qualifications would a person need?

I hope this gets at least some response and is not just a shot in the dark!

SecretMethod70

I'm not a teacher (sorry) but JadziaDax is - if she doesn't end up seeing this I suggest sending her a courteous PM asking her your concerns. I'll let her do the describing of what she actually does as far as teaching though - obviously she knows that best

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Le temps détruit tout

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Rodney

Mmmm, I'm a student teacher, not the real deal yet. But if you like kids and hard work and aren't easily derailed by the unexpected (or at least can put yourself back on the tracks quickly), you can do this job. Oh yeah, a sense of humor helps _a lot._

It also helps a lot if you are a literate, educated individual who actually enjoys or appreciates the things that you're teaching. Nothing worse than watching a teacher teach a subject that she or he doesn't know well or care about. What a waste of everybody's time.

A lot of times it's a pain in the ass and there are kids you can't help. But sometimes you have a breakthrough with somebody who's been struggling, and then you feel like you're walking in the clouds all day. There are bad days, when I question whether I can help _anybody._ And there are good days, when something so amazing happens that I laugh in the car all the way home.

wilbjammin

I'm student teaching now also. Personally, getting through the program I'm in now is a lot of hard work, and a lot of if feels like hoop jumping. But, it all makes up for it when you show up in class and teach a good lesson. Right now I'm with 6th graders and they're great because they really care. I don't know what it is going to be like in the high school. What I like about teaching is the creative aspect. Everyday is full of opportunities to come up with your own ways of teaching what you think is important. Definitely care about what you're teaching, and if you care then you'll probably be a good teacher after you struggle those first few years.

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ARTelevision

I changed careers about five years ago from teaching to technology. I had taught art at every level from K-12 and was a college professor of art. What it takes to be a teacher is the ability to either objectify your students or to humanize them - to either mechanically process your interactions or to enter into significant and meaningful educational and inspiring relationships. Both types of people find success in teaching.

sus is currently teaching art full-time at the college level.
I'll mention this thread to her.

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Frowning Budah

Teaching isn't my job, but I have none it on occasion when we rolled out a new payroll system. I was teaching adults and enjoyed it very much. My wife was an elementary teacher for over 20 years. I have seen her in action many times and she was a great teacher. She retired on a disability, but the constant problems she was receiving from parents, administrators and politicians was making her life hell. She loved the kids and the teaching but there was too little of that and too much B.S.
I guess what I am saying is it can be a very rewarding job but like a lot of jobs these days, it can also be a monster pain as well.

sexymama

I am a teacher and have been for 17 years now. I love it; but the sad reality is that 50% of those who go into the teaching profession will quit after the first year. Of the 50% that are left, 50% of them will quit within 3 years. The rest have a 50% chance of making a career of it. Why is there such a high turn over, you may ask? Well, we are underpaid, overworked and underappreciated. Why do I stick with it then? Because I am able to find the rewards in the little successes. I am thrilled when a student reads a book, learns a skills, or, most importantly, begins to enjoy learning. I do not pay attention to what the latest politician is blaming on educators. I understand that parents today expect us to raise their children; but I have my own to raise, so at the end of the day I leave the building and focus on my family. I avoid taking too much work home with me and take good care of myself. And I would say that I'm an excellent teacher -- well liked and respected in the district I teach in. When I take care of myself, I believe I have more to offer my students and my family.

Good luck with your decision. I will mention one added bonus. As a teacher, I now (after finishing my post-masters degree) have all the holidays that my children have. Unfortunately that was not true at the beginning of my career -- but working hard then has paid of now.

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JoenOcoee

I taught 9th and 10th grade English and middle/high school drama at a small private school for kids with either severe BD problems or severe learning disabilities for 2 years. Now I work for a mental health company, but I hope to teach in the YDC (Youth Detainment Center) this comming fall. Teaching is something that can not be taught:you either can do it or not. Sure you can learn how tests are put together, but in the end it is a gut instinct that you should feel.

In my experience, most teachers who leave, myself as a great example, DON'T leave because of the students, but rather leave because of thier dealings with the administration and/or parents. In a private school the parents looked at me as though I was thier employee because they paid my salary. I can count the extremely few times a parent gave me a honest heart-felt compliment on one hand. But they are sure fast to tell me how it was my fault that little so-and-so wasn't living up to thier potential. In hindsight I realize that even though I truly believed that I could be a wonderful assest to the students, I was doomed from the begining by going to a small private school.

I agree with sexymama, if you care, you WILL find moments of pure enjoyment/satisfaction in your students. Be VERY selective of where you want to teach and above all, follow where your heart leads you.

PS-note that in many states you do not have to have a degree in education to teach. You can apply for a provisional teaching certificate that is good for one year. If you like it, then it is very easy to take the handful of education courses that you need to get the certification. Of the 26 people I took my last 3 education courses with at University of Georgia about 5 are still teaching.

On a lighter note teaching was the best damn birth control I have ever seen. Each day I saw a few hundred reasons why I should always wear a condom....PERIOD.

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Rodney

Out here in sunny California, we have something called an emergency credential, which basically means that you have a four year degree, pass a test or two, and you're in. But it is starting to become an endangered species, as apparently the federal "No Child Left Behind" act mandates that all schools should have "highly qualified teachers" by some date in the not-to-distant future, and "highly qualified" means graduation from a teaching program, not an emergency credential.

Still, rules for admission to a program vary by state -- those "hoops" somebody alluded to, above. In California you can enter some teaching credential programs if you've got _any_ four year degree under your belt, with no prior education or child development courses -- once you pass this monster of a content-knowledge test called the CSET.

There's also an option in California called internship, which is a lot like an emergency credential except that you go thorugh a credential program at the same time as you teach, and end up with a real credential. It's kind of grueling, but I talked to a guy who liked it fine. And of course, you're getting paid.

At any rate, if you're interested in teaching, I suggest you see what paths there are into the profession in your state. There may be several, as in California.

JoenOcoee

In Georgia we take the Praxis or Praxis II. Also many states share teaching certificates, the states in the South East recognize each other's certificates. Goto ETS.ORG and see if they list what tests you would need for your state depending on what grade level you want to teach.

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Remember kiddies, panic attacks can be fatal

JadziaDax

Gee, thanks for that lovely intro. I finally got a chance to respond to this thread (and redravin had pointed it out to me, too). I'm going to start by addressing some of what has already been said.

This, unfortunately, is completely true. There is no glamour in becoming a teacher. There is no glory. We, the ones who make it through the odds and make a career of it, stick with it because of the personal rewards. The feeling I get when that lightbulb goes on over their heads... it's better than any drug you can take.

With this "No Child Left Behind" Act and the Highly Qualified Teacher crap going on, this will no longer be the case. Emergency certifications will be a thing of the past, and you MUST be completely qualified before a school district (a public one, that is) will consider you. Of course, anyone can teach in a private school. Let me rephrase that... any one who is qualified by the standards of that particular school can teach in a private school.

Teaching is not for everyone. I have seen many people say, "I really want to be a teacher." Ok, so you want to be one. But can you be one? There is more than the want and desire to be a teacher needed to turn it into your career. It's a lifestyle. Your day does not end with the last school bell, you don't have summers off (you're always preparing for the next year or working), you spend most of your hard earned money on supplies for your classroom and for your students... These are the realities of it all.

More reality: Students DO NOT listen to a word you say. You have to repeat yourself about 5 or 6 times before something gets done (and that is with the adults as well). You come into the profession with all these ideals and dreams... within the first few months you get hit with reality.

But, once you realize what it's really all about, you know you've touched lives in a way only a teacher can. And the only respect you need is that of your students. And you can swim in a wealth of that respect if you are a good teacher.

side note: It's Monday morning... a Monday of a short week (Thanksgiving in Thursday)... and I'm about to leave for work...

amonkie

While I've done some specific teaching of economics, my mom has been a teacher for almost the last thirty years. One thing to possibly take into account is how teaching affects the whole family, not just the teacher. There always seemed to be something else that the school required of her because she was one of their best. Like someone mentioned above, the job is a year round one- if you're in class teaching, you'll be out buying supplies, taking supplemental credital classes, putting together your room, writing lessson plans for the next year... the list goes on and on. I know my mom LOVES her job, for a lot of the same reasons already listed. While I have a healthy respect for those brave enough to be and remain in the teaching profession, I know that it is not the field for me.

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anleja

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'd like to say that you all have been very helpful in illustrating the pros & cons of this profession to me. It is nice to have the words of people involved in teaching; it will certainly factor into my decision of whether or not to pursue this.

It is a big decision, but I think I'm leaning towards going for it.

Cycler

If you can learn to expect something new everyday, learn to ride the ups and downs, and be able to get in with a trusted group of friends while at the same time working with people you are not always going to like you will do great. Teaching is definitely not about the money. It is just something that you enjoy and if you enjoy what you do others will (the kids) will see that and follow your lead... sometimes. I've been ineducation for four years now. One year in an emotionally disturbed classroom with Elem through High School all in the same room at the same time all on different subjects. I have followed that up with the 3 years as an Elem counselor. Pre-K through5 for two years and now Pre-k through third. It is something new every single day. I also am the Asst High School Softball coach. Once you get in education be prepared to be pulled in a hundred different ways.

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