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Originally posted by Missam05
Okay this question is for those who have had the experience or anyone who has some suggestions...
I graduate in December (half way through the school year) and am curious as to if there will be any openings at this time in a public school system. If so, do you think (from experience or just opinion) that a first year teacher can/could handle teaching and grad. school at the same time. Me and a friend have been debating as to what to do. We talked about possibly getting a Teacher's Aide job for that spring semester as to not jump right into the field and start taking some grad courses. What is the best thing? Anyone have any opinions??
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Well, I graduated in December 2001, and I started working as a permanent full time teacher the day after I graduated. I think it (finding a permanent position) depends on what field you are entering. You will be more likely to find a position if you are certified to teach in a critical shortage area. In addition, I started grad school that January. I teach full time, and attend graduate school full time (Two more semesters to go!). Many teachers do that, and it CAN be done, but you need to be disciplined. Your first year is when you TRULY learn what it is to be a teacher. Personally, I suggest waiting a while to see what you want to study....you grow so much as a professional in those first years. What you were interested in as an undergrad/new graduate can completely change after just one year in the system. It happened to me. (That's why I am still in grad school)
I enjoy teaching. Last school year, I taught Special Education Lang. Arts, Reading, and Math to sixth grade resource students in an inner city school. Yes, the pay isn't all that great (it's okay to me....I"m not complaining...we get paid more than the surrounding districts), the kids are ruthless (one of the teachers at my school got stabbed in the hand last year....I had to literally dang near cuss out a chronic class cutter out for constantly disrupting my room), and the hours are long (your work day does NOT end when the bell rings, lol) but the reward for me is when I see my students "get it". I especially enjoy seeing when they really get into the projects I give them, and they see their end result. One of my students was so proud of a project that she did that she took it around to EVERY SINGLE TEACHER that she had in the building. So yes, there are some rewards to teaching.
I am strongly against someone entering the field without a degree in Education. I that it is necessary to take curriculum, psychology, and education courses AS WELL AS complete multiple internships in order to be halfway successful at teaching. I am all for reforming the requirements of an entering teacher. In addition, you must have PATIENCE....because you will see that these kids will try your nerves.....be it by not understanding what you are teaching, after you've explained it 10 times....or by just doing dumb ish.
I guess what I am saying is, don't go into education unless you truly love it. If you don't truly love teaching, you will be one of those bitter teachers sitting in the faculty lounge just as mad as ever EVERY SINGLE DAY, or one of the ones that try to sneak out early on the regular.
One additional tip: When you do your field experiences, try to go to different types of schools (inner city, suburban, predominantly black, predominantly white, etc.) to get a feel for what's out there.
If you have any other questions...feel free to PM me.