Calling all teachers

[laylo]

1. How/Why did you go into education?
1b. Did you get a masters? Before starting the job or during?

2. Do you plan to continue teaching or go on to administration, policy, or some other field?

3. What are the pros and cons of the grade level you teach?

4. What advice do you have for those considering this field?

[MeezDiscreet]

1. It had always been an interest and when I didn't like the business world, I decided to do an Alternative Certification Program
1b. I WILL be getting a Masters

2. Administration WAS an option but not anymore--I want to get out of the classroom but stay in the field.

3. I teach middle school and some are still moldable without being babies but they are also crazy because their hormones are out of control mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually

4. JOIN THE UNION!!! And, understand that in this field you have to develop your own intrinsic reward system because you'll NEVER be adequately compensated for what you do. Also, do the best you can with what you've got.

[Educated_1_One]

Originally Posted by laylo

1. How/Why did you go into education?
1b. Did you get a masters? Before starting the job or during?

2. Do you plan to continue teaching or go on to administration, policy, or some other field?

3. What are the pros and cons of the grade level you teach?

4. What advice do you have for those considering this field?

I hope you don't mind but I'm considering education as well and I wanted to add two other questions(its a BIGGIE for me).

Are you completely satisfied with you salaries?

Do master degrees make considerable differences in salaries?

[pinkies up]

1. I went the alternate route as well (my B.S. degree was in psychology)
2. I am working on a Master's degree, because I HAVE to get out of the classroom. (NCLB is a joke and too much unecesssary stress)
3. Ditto to what MeezDiscreet said
4. In Mississippi, we don't have a union, however if you have the opportunity to join one, it would be in your best interest.

Understand that as an educator, you cannot save everyone. There will be students who do not care and do not want to learn. You have to be focused, patient, and heavily medicated. (just kidding about the last part...a little

[Wonderful1908]

Originally Posted by laylo

1. How/Why did you go into education?
1b. Did you get a masters? Before starting the job or during?

2. Do you plan to continue teaching or go on to administration, policy, or some other field?

3. What are the pros and cons of the grade level you teach?

4. What advice do you have for those considering this field?

1/1b. I always wanted to be a teacher, and I loved it, it was my major in college (B.S. in Secondary Education with a Social Studies Emphasis)

No I did not need a masters to teach but I am completing my masters in Educational Leadership.

2.I was able to get out of the class and am now an Instructional Coach (leads instrucution and curriculum), I am working on my masterd as mentioned above I am going to head a school district one day.

3. I taught 9th and to me it was perfect, old enough to understand you clearly, but old enough to vibe with and really some decent and inspisiring conversations.

4. Be dedicated to your cause and know your students, knowing about what is important and what they value will get you a million miles. I miss it sometimes, but when I realize I don't have to be accountable to 120 plus students its alright too.

[Wonderful1908]

Originally Posted by Educated_1_One

I hope you don't mind but I'm considering education as well and I wanted to add two other questions(its a BIGGIE for me).

Are you completely satisfied with you salaries?

Do master degrees make considerable differences in salaries?

I am satisified because I have almost 3-4 months of a year!!!!! I love getting paid in July but not having worked since May.

No it makes like a $500 difference

[firecracker08]

Originally Posted by laylo

1. How/Why did you go into education?

Can't sing, can't dance(professionally). Explaining things is what I'm good at.

1b. Did you get a masters? Before starting the job or during?

I pursued a masters in Curriculum and Instruction during my 2nd and 3rd years as a teacher.

2. Do you plan to continue teaching or go on to administration, policy, or some other field?
I would like to go into admin. Right now, I'm at a private school so no room for administrators now.

3. What are the pros and cons of the grade level you teach?
6th grade English (all boys)

Pro: They are boys, fun to joke with, don't hold grudges, idolize you slightly,
Cons: Flatulence, the sense of entitlement of my students, not a lot of room for intellectual discussion

4. What advice do you have for those considering this field
Decide to be a committed teacher. Students dont only need you during the school day. They need your support with their activities and interests as well. Get to know them as people and as students.

You will never be completely satisfied with your salary. In my case, my master's didn't help me get more money. At a public school, it might. But if you want more money as a teacher, you'll have to take on more responsibility or take more grad level classes.

[BlueReign]

Originally Posted by laylo

1. How/Why did you go into education?
1b. Did you get a masters? Before starting the job or during?

2. Do you plan to continue teaching or go on to administration, policy, or some other field?

3. What are the pros and cons of the grade level you teach?

4. What advice do you have for those considering this field?

1. After doing some of everything, I went into education out of a natural interest and because I wanted to be on the same schedule as my kids. I have graduate credits and in the process of applying to 2 masters programs.

2. Sometimes I think about going into administration because I know I would be good at it.

3. I have taught 6 through 12th grades. I think the perfect grades to teach are 8th and 10th. Eighth grade because they have settled into middle school and they are the seniors in the building and 10th because they have settled into high school and know what's expected of them. I teach 8th grade now and I swear some days I could do this until retirement. I didn't care for 6th graders. Depending on the school, some are still in elementary and I think by then they have outgrown the building and don't belong under elementary rules. Eleventh and 12th graders are ok because they are trying to graduate but some of them think they're too grown to be told anything but if you have a good relationship with them, they usually listen. I HATE 9TH GRADERS and hopefully never have to deal with them again. They simply are not ready for high school.

4. Like a preacher, you have to be called to be a teacher. It is not a job for everyone. It is very draining and I never feel like going out on Friday when I have worked all week. You have to have a lot of energy, (mentally and physically) and all 5 senses working at once and a 6th sense if you have one .

[eduakator]

1. I went into education because I truly loved working with children (elementary). I got my Masters, an additional certification, and I am almost finished the specialist degree. The additional pay might be $1,000.

2. The specialist degree is in special education administration. Would like to go into administration on the days when the building admin is getting on my nerves. I truly still like working with the children.

3. This year I work with K,1,2, and 3. The advantages they think you know things. The disadvantages the parents aren't cooperative. The third graders are tested but due to NCLB they are not going to do well. That's frustration to me and them.

4. Anyone entering education should know that it is full of political BS. The teachers and students are truly the scapegoats for the political backlash, new programs, etc. And generally, they add more things on the teachers and students with no help. Join the union or educational group that will support you. Be prepared to document everything to cover yourself at all times.

25 Years and Counting!!!

[Lady of Pearl]

I got into education because I love children, and I feel that I can make a difference in a child's life. I obtained my master's in another field; right after undergraduate school. At that time I just wanted to teach awhile and then change careers. Needless to say, God decided otherwise for me - and I have been in teaching for about ten years. It is not for the faint hearted -you have to let the kids know that you care about them and demand excellence from them.
I am considering a second Master's in counseling and or student personnel services where I can continue to work with students but maybe on another level.

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by laylo

1. How/Why did you go into education?
1b. Did you get a masters? Before starting the job or during?

2. Do you plan to continue teaching or go on to administration, policy, or some other field?

3. What are the pros and cons of the grade level you teach?

4. What advice do you have for those considering this field?

1) I have always wanted to be a teacher. For me it was giving back. I wanted (and still do) to teach high school because my teachers were so influential. I had teachers who went out of the way to help me. I teach 1st grade and I love it because I know my kids are learning.

1B) Yes, I have my masters. I got it via certification. I did an alternate route for certification. I got my MA in Elementary Ed with certification emphasis. So a two for one type of deal.

2) Yes, I plan to continue teaching.

3) Pros-working with the kids. I can see when they are learning and retaining the knowledge. Plus, at 6-7 years old, they love me. They put huge smiles on my face and I miss them when I haven't seen them for a while.

Cons-Again their age can be a con. . They are still at the age where they throw tantrums when they don't get their ways. The other cons I have about teaching have nothing to do with the grade level, but about the practice in general (i.e. NCLB)

4) Man so much to list... but a couple...

A) Join your union. Your union is there to protect you. To fight for you. If your district, for some reason, doesn't have a union join your state union or the National Education Association.

B) Don't let your district walk all over you and your rights as a teacher. Fight back. Knowledge is power.

C) Talk to your coworkers. They are there for a reason. Befriend them. They have untapped knowledge you can use (especially for T-3 teachers (less than 3 years teaching)).

I have so much more advice, if anyone wants more information or advice please PM me.

[ljkelly]

Wow, this thread came right on time! I am starting my Master of Science in Elementary Education in Spring! I am loving all of the advice! Thank you!

[1908Revelations]

Originally Posted by MeezDiscreet

1. It had always been an interest and when I didn't like the business world, I decided to do an Alternative Certification Program
1b. I WILL be getting a Masters

2. Administration WAS an option but not anymore--I want to get out of the classroom but stay in the field.

3. I teach middle school and some are still moldable without being babies but they are also crazy because their hormones are out of control mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually

4. JOIN THE UNION!!! And, understand that in this field you have to develop your own intrinsic reward system because you'll NEVER be adequately compensated for what you do. Also, do the best you can with what you've got.

I will be sinding you a PM shortly ma'am! I want to do ABC. I graduate in December. I am about to go to lunch, but please believe sistergreek I will be sending you a holla!

[Live_Wire17]

Originally Posted by laylo

1. How/Why did you go into education?
1b. Did you get a masters? Before starting the job or during?

2. Do you plan to continue teaching or go on to administration, policy, or some other field?

3. What are the pros and cons of the grade level you teach?

4. What advice do you have for those considering this field?

1. I went into Education because I like giving back to the kids. I think they really need it.

1b. I received my first Master's after I started and I received it in Curriculum and Instruction. My second Master's is in Administration which I plan to do later.

2. I want to go to the college level eventually but I will try administration for a while but I don't know when I will be ready to leave the classroom.

3. Pros of teaching High School...not sure yet...just kidding...I like the fact that I don't have to 'baby' them. Cons...The kids think they know EVERYTHING.

4. Advice...Establish your rules the FIRST day that you meet your students, be sure that you integrate technology as well as authentic pedagogy to be sure that you prepare the students for the "Information Age".

[laylo]

Hello all!
I've been on a nice little hiatus from GC as I was graduating from college and becoming a teacher. I started this thread as a naive idealistic senior who wanted to change the world and inspire inner-city kids.

Yeah umm...so the classroom?...craziness? I teach kindergarten from 7:30am to 4:00pm (no nap time). I work at an incredible school where everyone loves the kids as much as I do, but because of expectations that were improperly set in the beginning, the kids respect every adult except me. My biggest problem is the last block of the day when there's nothing to hold over their heads (i.e. missing recess or PE because of misbehavior). Several times I haven't even been able to begin a lesson because as soon as I'm alone with them the classroom becomes a complete zoo. I try so hard not to yell at them but that's the only time they listen to me.

After talking to some other teachers, I have a few ideas for turning the situation around, but I'd like to hear from you all if you've got some strategies that have worked. Not your everyday problem-solvers, but your "this is absolutely unacceptable and needs a 360 degree change" strategies. I know it may not happen overnight, but I'm open to a lot at this point.

help!