Is a teaching certification worth it? (degree, graders, expensive, bathroom)
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I had always thought of teaching as a possible retirement job. I would love to teach HS sciences. I was hoping more people would have positive things to say!
Strange thing, with 3 degrees and 30 years real world experience, I always thought I could go back to school and pick up a minor in education, do student teaching and be good to go. That's not true. Because my degrees are more than 10 years old they want me to start over. Oh well!
Yes, here in Chicagoland, the teachers make a pretty good buck, they have pensions and have cost of living raises on those pensions as well. Here in IL, I know you can find out online somewhere what the salaries are.
As a highschool student, I would suggest you don't go into teaching at least, not if you really want it. Student discipline is at an all time low where I am and the students can be very disrespectful, especially if you give homework. There are those few teachers who are loved by everybody though, the ones that know how to make us understand who can speak our language. The teachers who bring it to more than just education and make friendships, those are the ones that I really like and that everybody likes. You also score a lot of popularity if you don't give homework, especailly if on the first day of school when you are introducing yourself you say "I don't believe in homework unless a student is struggling and needs extra practice"
I've been reading the posts on this thread and I find them very interesting and "real life". I am going to school to become an elementary teacher. I am more than half way through the program and I have been subbing in my school dsitrict for the last three years. While I cannot talk about the middle school or high school level I can say that elementary teaching is what I want to do and find most rewarding. Sure there are discipline problems in elementary, esepcially when a sub is in the room. I take to heart on thread that stated that teaching is 90 percent classroom management and 10 percent teaching and that you don't get into the profession for he money. Trust me in my first profession, radio news, I know what its like to get into something for little money. But unlike teaching, the news business was anything but rewarding. Like nursing, I know becausde my wife is one, teaching is a calling. The one thing we don't need is government to stick its big nose in. No child left behind, although it does have some good qualities, is a good example of how government can further and unnecessarily complicate things. Anyways I'm off my soapbox. I will conclude by saying that those who want to teach must go in with their eyes and minds wide open. Expect the unexpected and don't expect things to go smoothly the first week. God willing I plan to be teaching for a long time. Good luck.
My experience, in teaching, was mostly all good. But I taught art. I think most high school teachers should get combat pay. Teaching K-5 is alot easier. IMO. I taught both. It was amazing how each school differed. One school could be really easy to work at and just a couple of miles away, there would be one that was really difficult to work at. I would recommend it, though. I loved my kids, k-12. But it will wear you out.
Teaching K-5 may not be easier than HS. I think it depends on where you teach. I definitely suggest anybody interested in teaching to sub at all kinds of schools. This will help you decide if this is the career for you.
As a highschool student, I would suggest you don't go into teaching at least, not if you really want it. Student discipline is at an all time low where I am and the students can be very disrespectful, especially if you give homework. There are those few teachers who are loved by everybody though, the ones that know how to make us understand who can speak our language. The teachers who bring it to more than just education and make friendships, those are the ones that I really like and that everybody likes. You also score a lot of popularity if you don't give homework, especailly if on the first day of school when you are introducing yourself you say "I don't believe in homework unless a student is struggling and needs extra practice"
But what do I know? do what is realistic
Thanks everyone for the posts- and honesty. This post is the reason I have doubts- I am at a point where I dont need to rake in $$$ and would love to do something positive to help- but if I am dealing with kids who are brats, then its not worth it IMO- I guess this is the reason people can just justify working at a career they dislike for the last 20 years- it just comes down to the money. Why take a big pay cut and also be unappreciated?
Last edited by dreamofmonterey; 05-19-2007 at 01:38 PM..
Reason: add
Thanks everyone for the posts- and honesty. This post is the reason I have doubts- I am at a point where I dont need to rake in $$$ and would love to do something positive to help- but if I am dealing with kids who are brats, then its not worth it IMO- I guess this is the reason people can just justify working at a career they dislike for the last 20 years- it just comes down to the money. Why take a big pay cut and also be unappreciated?
To me, dealing with brats is not a big deal. I tease the hell out of my smart a$$ students (respectfully, of course). We laugh and move on. If you communicate with them at their level, you gain more respect. For example, so many students tell me I'm "cool" because I swear in front of them. Most teachers don't do that, and I probably shouldn't, but apparently it works. Also, don't take it personally when students dislike you. A lot of students don't like me because I have high expectations for their work. I've been called some really horrible things, and sometimes it's hard to simply brush it off, but if they think they're getting to you, they'll never stop. The teachers who are liked the most are the ones who make their students feel valued. One of my colleagues has practically no free time because he goes to any sporting event or play that his students are in, he spends all of his planning periods helping students or just talking to them, and the kids really respond to that. For all of the students that hate me there are as many who like me, because they know they can come to me for advice when they need an adult opinion but can't go to their parents. I have no problem talking about sex, relationships, whatever with them, and they see that in the classroom. In the end, they don't want to be treated like children. If you give them choices and don't talk down to them, it helps a lot. As I said, communicate at their level. There are always times when you just can't win - I've had classes I couldn't turn my back on for two seconds because they'd start tearing the place apart - but those are few and far between. Not everyone is cut out to deal with gaggles of teenagers on a daily basis, but I don't want you to write off teaching for this reason because once you're in the classroom, it's not as difficult or scary as it seems.
Teaching K-5 may not be easier than HS. I think it depends on where you teach. I definitely suggest anybody interested in teaching to sub at all kinds of schools. This will help you decide if this is the career for you.
I know this isn't true in every state but most state require a teaching certification in order to sub so this might not be an option for most.
As for teaching brats, it all comes down to your control over your classroom. I can tell you from experience that student can sense weakness in a heartbeat but if you are firm from day one your year will be fine. You are always going to have the occasional student that is going to give you a run for your money but for the most part if you are not going to have major issues as long as you are firm and consistent. Most kids, even though they say otherwise, want to be in school, they like school and they want to please (elementary especially). Now, the parents these days are another story.
I know this isn't true in every state but most state require a teaching certification in order to sub so this might not be an option for most.
As for teaching brats, it all comes down to your control over your classroom. I can tell you from experience that student can sense weakness in a heartbeat but if you are firm from day one your year will be fine. You are always going to have the occasional student that is going to give you a run for your money but for the most part if you are not going to have major issues as long as you are firm and consistent. Most kids, even though they say otherwise, want to be in school, they like school and they want to please (elementary especially). Now, the parents these days are another story.
Some states (like CA) only require an emergency credential, which only requires a basic skills test (similar to the SAT). Others do require full fledged certification though, and I would guess than means that retired teachers and grads who haven't been hired yet are the only ones eligible.
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