I am pursuing a degree in Education. I was just wondering what type of advice would you all have to offer. I am looking forward to this, I want to teach between 4th and 6th grades, and specialize in Social Studies.
121084
Inner City schools ALWAYS need teachers because the children can be hard to handle to put it lightly.\nThen you have Private schools which generally don't pay as much. But you'll have children that have a different set of issues.\nI applaude you for planning to become a teacher. There's always a need and a chance to make a difference.\nIn CT they have a program where teachers can earn their Masters degree at no cost to them over a summer if they agree to teach at certain schools the following school year.\nGood Luck! Other states may have similar programs, check with area University's in your target area.
62157
Use eric as a search tool.  Check Educational Leadership and the Reading Teacher in a google search.  Good luck.  (Sounds like prime bedtime reading!)Look up NEA archives/local teachers union too.
519398
When I went to college studying math education, I minored in psychology.  Then I did graduate work in Guidance.  My first teaching job was in a very small high school were I taught math and also served as a counselor.  I quickly realized that I was not mature enough to be a counselor and that teaching math was the career for me.   I have had several opportunities to return to counseling, but I couldn't see leaving the math classroom.\n     The point is, these two jobs require radically different personalities and skills in working with students.  I would hope that things like amount of homework to be graded would not influence such an important decision.  \n      What should  you really consider?  Do you love your chosen subject?  Are you comfortable in front of a class?  How do you feel about the administrative responsiblities that are associated with the guidance position?  Do you have special skills that make you successful in working one on one with students who are experiencing problems?  These are the kinds of questions that you should consider when making  these life changing decisions.
443275
I am a special education teacher (EBD) currently (9-12).  I am also a licensed school counselor.  \n\nWhat I love...\nMaking a big difference in a kids life that may need a break.\nGoing beyond what regular teachers can do to help kids.\nFlexibility of schedule and materials.\nYou get to meet some great parents!\nYour colleagues.\nThe success you will see when you care about a kid.\nEveryday is different (BELIEVE ME ON THIS ONE!)\n\nWhat I don't love so much...\nPaperwork...loads of paperwork...mountains of it.\nThe amount of poverty you have to deal with can be tiresome.\nParents who are mentally ill (i.e. - Bi-Polar and angry).\nThe sense of entitlement that kids and parents can have.\nStupid standardized testing.\n\nMixed Feelings on...\nBeing the social buffer for "PC" vs. Socially Acceptable (all kids).\nAdvocacy for behavioral trouble when your boss is punishing a kid (kinda puts you in an odd spot).\nSocio-economic status isn't a factor on standardized testing and you will be responsible for academic progress.\n\nThings to consider before making the leap...\nWhat type of school do you want to work in?\nAre you organized?\nDo you have good interpersonal skills?\nDo you have good conflict resolution skills and can you stick up for your self in a "PC" way?\nWhat age group do you want to work with?\nHow do you handle adversity or disagreements with peers?\nCan you talk the talk? (alot of Spec. Ed. is knowing the lingo!)\nDo you take things personally?\nFind some theories on working with students or academic/behavioral models and make sure you ask about them during an interview.  Try to find a school that fits your needs first, then you can be successful.\n\nPotential for burn-out...\nTrying to hard...you will never "fix" kids; only maturity can help some.\nDon't like the academic style your colleagues use can make it tough.\nYour first couple of years...YIKES, they are tough.\nSmall schools and you with little experience can be a recipe for disaster.\n\nThings that can help...(course work)\nCounseling Theory classes\nAbnormal Psychology classes\nStatistics...yuck\nCounseling classes (helps squash drama outside of school)\n*Find a college that deals with practical rather than theory!\n\nThings that help...(general)\nUsing " i " statements to de-escalate kids.\nGiving the benefit of the doubt...ALOT.\nBeing organized.\nWorking with a good team.\nBe prepared to explain why you do what you do.\nDocumentation of all phone calls and emails (A MUST).\nBe computer literate.\nRemember, it isn't always about academic content (regular teachers can hate that statement!)\n\nI really hope this helps.  It is an awesome profession but you must take care of your philosophical and personal needs (demographics) before you can truly be effective and decrease burn out risks.
218697
Having taught in all three types, the best answer I can give is...I don't know.  \n\nIn my experiences, as long as you're teaching the basic goals/objectives (which would essentially be the same anywhere), how you get it done generally isn't an issue unless you happen to have a principal that demands things a certain way (only run across one like that before).  I've been able to do all kinds of things in all three types of settings.\n\nAdministrative support seems totally dependent on the people in those positions, not what type of school it is.  I have had a horrible and an amazing principal in public school, and can say the same either from personal experience or in talking to others about the other two types.\n\nAs far as funding, I live in the St. Louis area now, and spent most of my life in Kansas City, MIssouri, so in speaking from those places, private schools made much less, while public and charter schools were close to the same, although districts and/or schools did have differences.  You will likely find that rural schools pay much less if you look in that direction.  \n\nI can't really say my time in charter schools was my favorite.  It seemed that many students came to them after they had been big discipline problems at their other schools and wanted to try a different school, although the problems usually carried over.  Public schools can be frustrating at times, because there are many hoops to jump through at times, especially when it comes to standardized testing, some thing private school s(at least around me) aren't required to do).  \n\nI'm not sure if this is much of an answer, but I hope I at least pointed out a few things from the view of where I am anyway.  Asking around can be a great thing, as teachers will generally tell you the straight truth about the place they work.  My best advice would be to find a school that you find yourself comfortable in, both in your teachers, and your principal.  You will always find enough teachers that you can get along with great at any school, but the principal can be more difficult.  If you click with that person, you should have it made as long as you do well at your teaching.  Best of luck on your career!
669795
Sounds to me you are a great candidate for teaching.  What type of bachelors do you hold?  Have you thought about alternative certification?  For instance, if your BA is in business you can enter into a "fast track" program that provides the opportunity to earn a teaching certificate.  I am not a big fan of the program due to the absence of specialized educational/psychology /childhood development classes.  However, quality teachers are badly needed all over the country and the alternative certification program helps to meet that need.   By the way, if you land a teaching position and at the same time, return to college to earn your Masters, look into funding programs that will help or pay all of your tuition.  \n\nI am a teacher.  I wish you all the best.
472784
My daughter didn't know what she wanted to do after graduating high school, so spent the next year working in a resort community. After getting to know the police officers there, she started to look into being a police officer. She's now close to graduating from college, and is attending the police academy. What I'm saying is that many kids don't know what they want to be until they get involved with something. Then, their natural talents kick in, and they begin to realize what they're good at. So, look at your talents. What are you really into? What feels more like fun than work? I think it's great to hear someone say that they get to work at what they love and ,oh by the way, they get paid to do it too! When you're excited about your job, you know that that's where you need to be. Whether that's waitressing or wheeling & dealing with corporations, enjoying your job is much better for you all around. Of course, having ANY job now days is better than nothing. I guess you need to look at the reasons behind you wanting to transfer. Don't just go to a college because of where it's located. That can get boring really quick. Look at what they have to offer. Also, look at your own talents. Line up what you have with what these colleges have to offer and see what sticks out. If your grades have been really decent, most colleges would be glad to have you. If your grades weren't so hot, you might consider going to a tech school, and get trained for a specific trade. It's cheaper and quicker. Hope you have much success in your career choice. <*)))><
26395
My alma mater is IUP - Indiana Univ of PA.  It's about an hour outside of Pittsburgh and actually started out as a Normal School for training teachers.  They have a great program!  check it out www.iup.edu
235062
I think teaching is a wonderful profession~you need to go to college for 4 yrs.  At the college, you will study in the Education Department.  They will tell you what all you need to take to become a teacher.  You get to take classes about literature, math, science, art and a bunch of fun stuff.   While you are in college, you will get to student teach so you will be a great teacher when you graduate! I went to Arkansas State University and several of my friends went to Auburn University in Alabama.  What state do you live in?   I am sure that there are good colleges for you near your home.
407102
You are correct, there are many elementary teachers, but you can make yourself more employable if you get dual certification in both elementary and special ed. Teaching in grades 4-8 can be very rewarding. Junior high students are a lot of fun.
406423
I understand your frustration.  I have taught high school for 8 years and it is very discouraging at times to see the situations that exist in the classroom.  First of all, there is a mandate that Special Education students be mainstreamed into the general classroom population.  I have had a class of 34 students with 9 Spec. Ed. students (this is becoming more and more typical).  There are supposed to be teacher's aides to help in classes like that, but school budgets are spent so unwisely, at times, that there is no money for a teacher's aide for every teacher with a significant amount of Spec. Ed. students (who either have a learning disability, a behavioral disability, or an emotional disability).  This leaves the teacher and the students at a disadvantage.  Teachers now use more time on class management than on class instruction.  And, it's not just because of Spec. Ed. students.  For some reason many students like to "dumb down" on their own as to not be ridiculed by their peers for being too smart, a nerd, or a "lame".  School administration look at teachers with disdain and often let go of teachers with too high of a failure rate, so many teachers, when presented with a class or classes that do not produce on the expected level then create a curriculum that they feel the students have a chance to pass, even if it does not prepare a student to be on level.  Our educational system is in deep need of reforms that work, not just reforms that look good on paper but have no substance or effectiveness in the classroom or to the students.  I try to prepare students for high school and beyond, whether they are college bound, interested in vocational training, or ready to work once they graduate.  Teaching is a many tiered profession (teacher, counselor, mentor) if children are to be educated properly.  I worry about the same things you do, but I also know that the big decisions about education often do not rest upon  teachers' shoulders, but on an administration that is often too long out of the classroom to remember or know the things that work and the things that do not.  I only hope that it gets better before it continues getting worse.
627807
I'm in administration now, but was a HS and elementary choral teacher for 3 years in Virginia. Was a member of MENC and VMEA. I'm a big supporter of the arts both in my school and the community, and I offer resources and mentoring to new music teachers. Feel free to email!\nalisluv@yahoo.com
661007
The pre-school that I was fortunate enough to have been a part of in Minneapolis, MN did.\n\nThe Lead Teacher and myself (Assistant Teacher), took the time to make sure our children practiced etiquette/ethics frequently.  You would be surprised how impressionable and teachable children are on these two subjects at this age.\n\nIt worked excellent!!
397146
If you want to make the article more interesting, ask something about before she was a math teacher. Before college even. What she originally wanted to be when she was young, and what led to this career choice. Or ask if she has a personal motto for herself.
147873
Teaching. I was 42 before I began substituting, made an attempt at college.  In 2000 I got a job as a teacher's aide which ended up with me having my own classroom.  Consequently, I have restarted college (now that my children are grown), and I love what I do!  I love the interaction with the students, even when it is difficult.  I find it challenging to connect with them @ their level.\nI look forward to the day I become a certified teacher, which will take at least 5 more years.  But, like you asked, this is my calling. I also teach Sunday school and that too is a joy.
552311
Is there a place for spec.ed. students in to days world?\n\nWhat happens to students who live in gang infested area are they leave school?\n\nHow can a teacher teach the gifted student and the below level  grade students in the same class. especially when certain standards are expected?
552054
That depends where you live. In my area there is a glut of teachers and many grads have to move out of state. \n\nIt may also depend on your area of study...no room for social studies teachers here but plenty if your a science teacher!  \n\nThe colleges here don't even have room for El Ed majors. Better check it out first..