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Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses)....
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 2006-03-14 2:30 PM |
Extreme Veteran  604   Ohio |  Subject: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses)....Hey folks, I've been interested in teaching high school science for several years now, but when I was actively taking some education classes (I've already got the science degrees) I was kind of scared off by friends and family that have negative comments about teaching (and some of them are teachers!) . Example, "the discipline issues are getting worse and worse", Or, "kids are to hard to handle, and don't respect their teachers", or "there's too much paperwork, and the rules/regulations are getting worse". I'm just wondering what the BT teachers think about this--what has your experience been? I'm still really interested and am thinking about trying to get geared up to take the Praxis exam and maybe some more classes... Thanks! |
| 2006-03-14 4:03 PM in reply to: #369376 |
Expert 760 Mt. Morris, IL | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... Well as someone who was originally a chemist and came into the field of education (with a 40% pay cut), I can say it depends on you. I see lots of teachers burn out because they cannot deal with the kids. My philosophy is the kids are the reason I am here. I am fortunate in that I teach in a very affluent district with high expectations (in the top 20 schools in the state and the smallest public school in the rankings) and do not have much in the way of discipline problems. I think that if you can relate kids and establish a relationship that even the rottenest seeds can be managed. Teaching is hard! I work more hours for less money (no matter what others say) but wouldn't trade it for the world. PM me if you have specific questions or any other concerns. Edit: As a teacher I should be able to spell, but I can't!
Edited by nccgrap 2006-03-14 4:04 PM |
| 2006-03-18 9:53 AM in reply to: #369376 |
Extreme Veteran 582 Denver, CO | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... I definately don't think you should base your decision to become a teacher on your friends comments. I teach 5th grade and although it's not at the high school level, I still deal with the same issues. It's not easy being a teacher, and there are days when I leave work exhausted and close to tears, but I love my job. The issue of respect shouldn't even be an issue if you treat the students with respect. Yes, there is a lot of paperwork. Yes, there are behavior problems, but you become a teacher to help kids. The students that act up are the ones that need us the most b/c you know there's an underlying issue behind it. Maybe they have a horrible home life, maybe their dad/mom is in jail...what they need is the stability, care, and respect that we give them. I know I am making a difference in my students' lives and that's why I teach. So...I say take the Praxis exam and more classes and go from there. Don't give up if this is something you really want to do. Good luck!  Aimee |
| 2006-03-19 1:36 AM in reply to: #369376 |
Elite 3020  Bay Area, CA | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... If you are really interested in teaching as a career, I would strongly suggest spending some time in a classroom if at all possible to get a feel for it. I've been a teacher for two years now, and although there are a lot of positive things about it, for me, the positives are NOT outweighing the negatives. There are just some things that are part of the teaching profession that I am really not happy with and that I've realized I'm not equipped to cope with on a day to day basis. Yes, it's a hard job, but if you really love it, then it can be the best thing ever. My mom is also a teacher and she is great, unfortunately, it's not working out for me that well. |
| 2006-03-19 2:00 AM in reply to: #369376 |
Master 1867 The real USC, in the ghetto of LA | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... I haven’t read any posts but yours. My mom, who I have the deepest respect for (she has lupus, left may dad, and went back to school to get her masters. To my brother and me it was Thursdays that we cooked dinner). She considered quitting teaching in the Los Angeles School District. The district only wanted passing grades, a situation of admin vs. teachers. She wanted to quit, and the district I was in (I was in LAUSD my whole life except two years) they upped the ‘transfer (not sure if that’s what it was) years of teachers.’ She has been so happy now. She loves teaching, so much. I will say that financially it sucks. If you go to an area were parents care students issues are not a problem (parents care therefore they push their kids to do well). I will tell you teachers are great people, you wont make a fortune, but you will have students come back to thank you; if you’re a good teacher. The question is, will you forgo financial benefits for a longer payoff; good Americans? I will you give you my moms email (and she is an award winning teacher) and you can email her, for a better view than I have given. I love her to pieces, but she will tell you her hardships and her best moments. I think she could better tell you what its like. PM me (with your email) and I will have her contact you…. If it wasn’t for great teachers (and my mom) I wouldn’t be at USC, on my way to a better life. |
| 2006-03-19 7:11 AM in reply to: #369376 |
Resident Matriarch N 43° 32.927 W 071° 24.431 | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... hm, tough call. I went back to school with the intention of becoming a teacher. I finished my degree work and then began the education classes. The classes were informative and interesting and I was looking forward to trying some of the techniques in an actual classroom. Then I spent a semester doing student teaching and I have completely changed my career focus. It was a truly horrible experience. Since there was so much that turned me against teaching, I won't go into it all here, suffice it to say that I am going into a different field for my Master's degree. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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| 2006-03-19 7:39 AM in reply to: #369376 |
Extreme Veteran 441 windsor, ontario | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... My wife is a teacher...there are some days she loves it, some days she hates it, but most days have ups and downs...like life...Ultimately, it is a job, there are some down sides (which is why they have to pay you for being there ), but overall, it beats the hell out of working for an untalented sycophant who uses your ideas for his corporate rise, and a board of directors willing to lay off 20% of a workforce, to garner a 1% increase on the ROI...Public sector is the way to go...our world will still need civil servants, even after every job on the continent has gone to the 'new asian economy'.. |
| 2006-03-19 11:10 AM in reply to: #369376 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... My sig other is a teacher. She has been teaching for about 10 years now. I think you really have to love teaching and children to be able to not burn out. It is much harder than one would think and there are alot of negatives like crazy parents, crazy students, long nights of correcting homework, politics that you must deal with not only admistration but also PTA and Union. I agree with everyone that suggested you put in some time substitute teaching and/or volunteering. Even though not exactly, it will give you some classroom time and experience. On a side subject, this is one of the most underpaid professions. As leaders that shape the future of our children, I just don't understand why there is not more weight placed on weeding out bad teachers but recognizing good teachers with more pay/benefits. |
 2006-03-19 12:36 PM in reply to: #369376 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2006-03-19 1:12 PM in reply to: #373471 |
| Pro 4292 Evanston, | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... My experience was more like cadreamer's -- I taught for 2 years, granted in some of the worst circumstances around (anyone remember South Central LA circa 1992? yeah. anyway) -- and realized that as much as I loved the kids, teaching was more work and stress than I could handle! I have experiences and memories of kids that will be with me for life, but I just wasn't hacking it. Having eventually landed at a Big-Brand fancy law school, through the pressure cooker of first year, I kept thinking, "yeah, law school is hard, but it's a walk in the park next to teaching!" So I have the utmost respect for teachers, especially those amazing ones who really excel at what they do. My sister is one of these, a pro. If you go this route, you WILL find negative people. You have to sort of block out the negativity and be determined to do the best you can, only listening to the people who will support you in your professional growth, and go for it. Edited by CitySky 2006-03-19 1:15 PM |
| 2006-03-20 12:54 PM in reply to: #369376 |
| Expert 743 Minnesota | Subject: RE: Teachers, calling the BT teachers (or spouses).... Teaching for me is a job, nothing more, nothing less. Teaching has good days and bad days, like any other job. I enjoy dealing with the kids 90% of the time. I hate dealing with the politics 90% of the time. The key to any job is doing the best you can with what you have got in the time allowed. And then go home and enjoy your real life. I can't tell you whether you will be a good teacher or not. In my experience, the content specialist MAY not make a great teacher. I have, however, seen some content specialists become excellent teachers, but that person also requires the communicative skills to allow him or her to bring that content to a particular (maybe I mean pecular) audience. The content specialist knows his or her subject inside and out, but sometimes has a problem dealing with classroom issues such as discipline. A good teacher, especially in science, is one that almost acts as an interpreter. Being an interpreter requires excellent social and salesmanship skills. You need to take some pretty complex stuff, interpret it for those without much background, and sell the plausability. If you are good, you will not have significant discipline problems. The kids will want to impress you and will hate to disappoint you. I usually judge a high school teacher's success by the number of graduates that come back to visit. The kids may like a teacher, but only come back to visit those that they respect. Take every opportunity you have to sit in a class. You may never pull off what the teacher you are observing can, but you can get some ideas. Never pass up an opportunity to teach, you will learn more than the kids. If you decide to teach, you need to find your niche, but be able to adapt as that niche changes. |
| 2006-03-20 1:13 PM in reply to: #374367 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
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