Does the education profession need me?

[politicasista]

Hello to all DU teachers,

Have been lurking for a couple of days and interested in asking the teaching pros a few things.

I have a B.A. in Spanish and and M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction and student taught once (Secondary Ed with Spanish certification was my concentration a few years ago), but decided after a tough first year, that this may not have been for me (too much drama and the Praxis II Spanish portion was very hard to pass). So, I switched to Elementary Education (which I am waiting to pass the PII EE exams so I can student teach) in hopes that the fortunes would be better.

Right now, I am working as a substitute teacher (though still need some EE 2-4 exposure) doing grades 5 and 6. It's been a pretty good experience, taking two steps forward and one step backward. This may sound silly, but I am a work in progress almost a decade later.

Some other options out there are Nursing, Physical Therapy, or just being a college professor (though I heard that classroom experience with certification is required now) or something else IDK.

I don't want to give up on education, despite the low teacher morale and the negative vibes at the schools, but I want to have a stable career and make the right choice. My boomer parents old enough to retire, but since I am underemployed (I also worked as a Spanish/English tutor at a community college), I don't want to work until I am real old. If that's how it works. Although, I am open to any opportunities. Education and Health professions run in my family.


How has your school year been? Do you like teaching? Do you think the profession still needs people like me. Any other advice would be great!


Thanks,


politicasista

[Domingo Tavella]

1. Eduction is the greatest need!

School is where future active citizens learn to think critically and independently. Education does for society what physical training does for the practice of sports. The education of its youth will influence whether the US evolves into an advanced secular and humanistic society with a social contract that prioritizes the common good, or continues to morph into a blend of anti-intellectual theocracy and corrupt crony capitalism. Republicans and retrogrades in general sense instinctively that education is not on their side – educators are the guardians of reason; it is hard to think of anything more important.

[mbperrin]

2. If you are subbing and doing okay, teaching should be much simpler.

Something about the word "substitute" has a red meat reaction even to the scholarly folks.

I would not do anything else. I teach (this year) senior economics and us government. Today, a gunman was spotted on our 3,000+ campus spread over 8 city blocks near downtown. After 2-1/2 hours, we resumed our schedule, and in comes this 6'6" 300+ pound kid who grabs me and hugs me, and says, "Mr. P! You're all right!"

He has been a reluctant learner, but he is passing now after some trial techniques earlier, and we speak when we pass in the hall. So WHY did he rush in and grab me? He knows I'm somewhat impetuous, and he was genuinely afraid that if the gunman had made his way into our part of the building, that I couldn't resist saying or doing something.

Those are the rewards worth having.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Find the right fit, not all programs are the same.

And, I'm a career changer, education came to me after careers in construction, then architecture.

Nothing is more rewarding, but you have to be in an environment that stimulates you and allows you to grow and feel effective.

For me, that setting was alternative ed programs, where kids who don't fit into large schools end up, and some juvenile hall.

And presently I'm a coordinator in programs (in a public school organization) that are about environmental education and careers.

And I love it, but I would hate it in most other places in this industry.

Good luck!

[roody]

4. If you can put up with mountains of bullshit

and focus on the kids and the good you can do, you may like it.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. The profession does, and the kids sure do but the politicians do NOT.

Last edited Sun Apr 1, 2012, 06:13 AM - Edit history (1)

>>>>>I don't want to give up on education, despite the low teacher morale and the negative vibes at the schools, but I want to have a stable career and make the right choice. My boomer parents old enough to retire, but since I am underemployed (I also worked as a Spanish/English tutor at a community college), I don't want to work until I am real old. If that's how it works. Although, I am open to any opportunities. Education and Health professions run in my family.>>>>>

I don't expect people coming into the profession right now to EVER retire from teaching. The benefits that awaited the previous generation are fast going the way of the old "blackboard".... at least in my system.


>>>How has your school year been? Do you like teaching? Do you think the profession still needs people like me. Any other advice would be great! >>>>

It was year # 27 and it was by far the *worst*. Still like teaching... just have no time to do any. Data, data, paperwork, data, accountability, data, data, data.

It's a dog and pony show now... w. thuggish admins cracking the whip.


Talk to others. Maybe it's better in other systems. ( I'm in NYC)

[politicasista]

6. Thanks for the comments everyone

Interesting reads.

[femmocrat]

7. Have you considered getting ESL certification?

That might be the right fit for you. Small classes and very rewarding work, from what I hear.

I have been teaching for over 20 years and still enjoy it. My school year has gone by quickly. Like the others have said, there is never enough time to just teach. I have not seen low morale, though. But I work in a unionized state; that makes a big difference!

I am near retirement (I subbed for many years before getting a full-time gig), but can't quite make that leap yet. I'm afraid of what might happen with health care and Medicare. My health insurance at school is very good and I am reluctant to give that up.

Good luck to you!

[politicasista]

8. Have thought about that,

though often times in the TN it is considered as an add-on endorsement with Elementary/Secondary Education.

I am planning on contacting my university and see what the requirements are.

Glad that you are having a nice school year and things (hopefully) are looking up where you are. Glad to know that there are former subs now teaching posting here too.

Thanks for the advice and good luck to you too.

[LWolf]

9. The education profession needs

a general public, and a government, that fully supports public education and education as a profession. At this point in time I can't recommend education as a field to go into unless you want substandard pay, substandard working conditions, little to no respect, plenty of disrespect, and to be the favorite political and social scapegoat for the nation.

My school year? It's been tense, draining, chaotic, and dysfunctional. That's not unusual, but this year has been perhaps the worst in my career.

The only thing good about my profession at this point? Students. They still need me, and I still love working with them. It's more than frustrating to work in a system that limits our potential.

[politicasista]

11. Thanks for sharing.

Hope you can have a relaxing upcoming summer.

[Rick1962]

10. Yes

Hi:

Yes we do need you. If those of us who are progressive leave education then what? I was fired from a Catholic school in Texas for being too progressive and the last 4 years I have not been able to find a teaching job. I keep trying because I love to teach and because I refuse to give in and leave the education of our youth to the Teabag Party and other fascist movements who want us progressive liberals not only out of education but out of life all together.
Hang in there.

Rick1962

[politicasista]

12. Hang in there

Thanks for the advice.