Question for all you teachers out there! About This Page:

[Hayley]

I majored in creative writing, and am currently sick and tired of being an assistant to people (Sales assistant, Assistant Tour coordinator, promotions assistant, marketing assistant, research assistant--you get the idea!). I was thinking of going back to school and getting a Masters in teaching (seeing as my company might pay for it.)
My question is, how do you teachers like being a one? Do you wish you did something else? How is the professional growth? Do you feel challenged? Can you use your creativity and intellingence? What are the downsides? What are the upsides?
(gee, I guess that's "questions")

Anyway, let me know your thoughts out there. I'm begging for some details!

Thanks all!

[Fortissimo]

Hi Haley! I saw your post earlier, but I had to bubble in my grades before I was allowed to play on the computer.

So ya want to be a teacher, huh? Let me try to answer your questions first, then I'll give you a few opinions.

How do I like being a teacher? Well, when I left school at 4:30 today, I still loved my job. Now this answer could change after the Halloween candy highs on Wednesday!

Do I wish I did something else? Right now, no. Well, except I would like to work at WDW I can't imagine being anything other than a teacher.

How is the professional growth? There are 2 answers to this one. First, I learn something new every day. My students will give me a bit of knowledge that I did not have when I started the day. I feel that allowing your students to teach the teacher something is the most valuable piece of professional growth that one can acquire.

The second part to this question what type of means are there for your growth. I love to learn, therefore I take as many classes as I can. I finished my Master's in Education last December. Taking classes from a University is one way to improve your growth. The second way is staff development that the school provides to all its staff members.

Now, who pays for you to take classes outside of the staff development? In most cases, you do. There are very few school districts that pay for your classes. Since you are required by the state to take x amount of classes in a certain amount of time so that you can continue to teach, this doesn't make sense. You think that the state or school district would help out, but they don't. I won't whine anymore about this subject!

Next question - Do I feel challenged? Yes, every single day in every class. I feel that if the challenge is not there, then I am not being an effective teacher. YOu need to challenge yourself to develop lesson plans, teaching strategies, and unfortunately, discipline techniques.

Can I use my creativity? Well,since I teach instrumental music, I hope that I use my creativity. I know my students are very creative when they, uh, shall we say, attempt to play a song for the first time (and 2nd, and 3rd, and, well you get the picture)

Sometimes I do wonder if I use my intellegence.

What are the downsides? Dealing with stuff (such as ridiculous paper work, fund raisers, and much more that you wouldn't believe) that takes you away from what you were hired to do, teach. I'm very tired of hearing from our gov that children aren't learning in Colorado. The public is incredibly harsh on teachers here in my state. And the one downside that really gets to me is lack of parental involvement. For example, I have an 8th grader who plays the violin. He has been playing since 4th grade. At conferences last week, I finally met his mother (I've had this student for 3 years) She had to ask her son what instrument he plays. I couldn't believe it.

The upsides to teaching? There are too many to list. The best upside though, is the kids. I love my kids. When they just don't get a concept and they work and work on it, all of the sudden a little light bulb goes on. They get this look on their faces like "I did it!" When you see that look, you know why you teach.

Okay, here is my opinion on teaching. A person doesn't really chose to be a teacher. I feel that the profession choses you. When you become a teacher, you are not just a teacher, you become a surrogate parent. I teach in a school where 60% of the students are on free and reduced lunch. What does that mean? 60% of our students live at or below poverty level. As a result, I provide not only knowledge to my students, but many times food, clothes, school supplies, and sometimes even money. These kids need a lot more than knowledge, they need support and even love.

If you asked many of my co-workers if you should go into teaching, they would say "NO! Don't do it!"

What do I say? "Go for it!"

Hope this helped, and sorry it was soooo long!

Oh, one more thing. The worst part of being a teacher is that you can only go to WDW during peak times!

[KathyL]

I have worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for almost 20 years. I love my job and couldn't think of other things that I would rather do. Now is the time to get into teaching. Good teachers are very short in supply these days. Good Luck.

[tiggerific]

Hayley, I have a degree in Psychology and am currently working as a special ed. teachers' assistant. I work with autistic kids - I never thought I would do something like it. And although I, like you, don't like being an assistant (lower pay, praise, etc), I love it! Before this I worked in daycare for nearly three years. I honestly believe, like Fortissimo, that you are chosen by the profession. Many people have said "I could never do what you do", and we've had enough substitute teachers for me to know that this is true. My job is truly thankless - our kids sometimes hit, kick, bite, you name it, but you know what? I love every one of them. I can't imagine not working with children (special ed or regular ed). Kids, especially young ones, tell it like it is "Mrs. G. your hair looks weird today. What did you do to it?" The best advice I could give before you change careers and go back to school is to give it a try. Many school systems need substitute teachers -try it. Granted being a sub is NOT being a teacher, but it will at least give you an idea of the worst, and sometimes the best. If you like subbing, then by all means, go be a teacher. If you absolutely hate it, then teaching probably isn't going to be for you. Keep an open mind though - each class is different, each age is different, even each school in a district is different. And don't be discouraged if you have a couple of REALLY AWFUL DAYS. We all do! We had a sub for 2 weeks; at the end of the first week the principal offered her an assistant position - she said NO WAY. By the end of the second week, she had changed her mind. Give it a lot of time, and a lot of thought. Teaching is not for everyone, but you'll probably know if it is when you try it. Good luck!

------------------