Author Topic: Any teachers here?  (Read 896 times)

Offline Dnil

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Any teachers here?
« on: May 07, 2003, 09:16:26 PM »
I have some questions about becoming one.  I know the pay sucks but I am former enlisted so I am used to crap pay.

I left a great job that paid awesome to start over and really wanna do this but would like some pointers from ones doing it currently.

Offline Udie

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« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2003, 09:30:12 PM »
don't date the students :D

Offline Dnil

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« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2003, 09:42:37 PM »
haha ya freak.  thought that was a perk?

Offline Maverick

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« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2003, 10:33:30 PM »
Dnil,

What you really want to do is check out what the requirements are to become a teacher.

Example in AZ. you need a minimum of a BA degree and teaching certification. The two are not necessarily the same. I had a BS in Public Admin and needed to go back to school. I opted for a MA in ED and took an additional 9 units to get my teacher certification.

If you have a BA already I suggest you start looking at being a substiute teacher in the grade level you are interested in. This will give you a worst case scenario environment to see if this is something you really want to get involved in.

There are usually different levels of what school you can teach with a particular degree. The requirements of a particular subject matter are certainly more stringent the higher you go in the system. Example, a degree in biology if you will  teach that subject in a High School area but a General Science degree to teach basic science in a Junior High level. In my state the elementary and junior high grades are all available to a teacher with a basic education certificate. For High School you need a secondary teaching certificate.  The same for vocational ED like they use in some specialty magnet schools that focus on a particular type of education, music, art, science, aviation, computer sciences and so on.

Subbing is a good way to get your feet wet while you take some courses that may be required for your teacher certification. If you do not have the minimum level of education for subbing look at a school and talk to the principal about being a teachers aid so you can see what it's like. Some school districts have those positions at a minimal pay level (minimum wage) and you get to see how it really is in the classroom while you are deciding to do something else. :)

In short, talk to some local school folks and get an idea of where you stand on qualifications. Good luck...... you'll need it.
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Offline Gryf

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« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2003, 10:50:01 PM »
Dnil you should know not to listen to Udie :)

Offline crowMAW

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Re: Any teachers here?
« Reply #5 on: May 07, 2003, 11:04:28 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Dnil
I have some questions about becoming one.  I know the pay sucks but I am former enlisted so I am used to crap pay.

Dnil...pay in Florida will get better very soon.  The class size amendment does not appear to be going away despite Jebby's "devious plot".  Given that Florida currently has a teacher drain problem because of the much better pay in Georgia, the state will have to seriously work to set a pay floor close to, if not better than, Georgia's in order to increase the number of teachers needed by 2010.

Elementary ed will have the largest demand, but does require a teaching certificate in FL.  Middle school/Jr. High and High School does not require certification, however, district funding is tied to the % of teachers certified, which provides a big incentive for secondary school principals to hire certified teachers.  There is also a pay differential given to math and science teachers as they are in greatest demand.

Best of luck with your career change...

Offline Dnil

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« Reply #6 on: May 07, 2003, 11:08:15 PM »
i was thinking of doing the history/coach thing.....im not really concerned with pay at all, been there done that have the bills to prove it.


Is it rewarding?

Offline SOB

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« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2003, 02:37:28 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Gryf
Dnil you should know not to listen to Udie :)


Yeah, like Gryf said...you should date the students, especially if they're perky and bouncy!  I'm gonna leave now, before I get struck by lightning.  :D


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Offline Wanker

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« Reply #8 on: May 08, 2003, 09:28:41 AM »
Dnil,

I have a B.S. in Instrumental Music Education and taught in the public schools for 5 years between 1990-1995, so although I'm now currently in a different profession, I've been there and done that, so I should be able to help you out.

What do you want to know?

Offline crowMAW

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« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2003, 10:04:51 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Dnil
Is it rewarding?

I think that would depend on your personality.  I taught at the college level for a while.  Most of the classes I taught were graduate level, however my two favorite classes to teach were both freshman level courses.  I found it very rewarding to introduce concepts that these just-out-of-high-school kids had never even considered.  It appeared to suddenly make the world seem much more complex and interesting to them (in reality I'm sure they were just thinking, "jeez, I hope this isn't on a test").

My ex-mother-in-law is a middle school science teacher.  She almost constantly complained about the stupid antics of the administrators and parents.  She would also spend hours every night grading papers.  I'd say on average she spent 3-4 hours per day (including weekends) outside school on school related work.  (Teachers may get summers off, but they make up for it during the school year)  Plus, she would pay out of her own pocket for some classroom supplies that would not be purchased by the school (pretty generous considering her low pay). When I asked her why she didn't take her master's degree in chemistry and do something else, she said she loved the kids.  She just has that kind of personality.

I have a couple of cousins who teach in Santa Rosa County and I'm sure they would be willing to talk to you.  Both are coaches, but I think one also teaches social studies.  You can email me at negcamber@yahoo.com if you would like me to put you in contact with them.

Offline Saurdaukar

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« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2003, 10:09:18 AM »
My mother taught for 25 years.  She initially enjoyed it - "decent" pay for only working 9 months out of the year, but as you go on and lose your idealism, the politics get in the way.

She always used to complain about the district adminstration throwing the teachers to the dogs and catering to the parents every need.  If you can deal with being more of an "on call child consultant" instead of a "teacher" you will do just fine.  But like I said, if you dont like being "unappreciated" youll have something to squeak about every night during dinner.

Im not sure if I missed it, or if you didnt mention it, but what are you shooting for?  Elementary school?  High School?  University?

The rules are different for each, and the negative points of the profession seem to decrease as the age of the students increase.

Hope that helps - second hand info, but something is better than nothing, I presume.

Offline Dnil

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« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2003, 10:29:08 AM »
I was gonna shoot for high school.  I have never really heard what it is really like.  Guess I need to do some sub'n to get my feet wet.  

I am looking for something challenging.

Offline midnight Target

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« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2003, 10:41:10 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Dnil
i was thinking of doing the history/coach thing.....im not really concerned with pay at all, been there done that have the bills to prove it.


Is it rewarding?


It is.

(Former Special Ed Teacher)

Offline maddog

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« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2003, 10:42:41 AM »
My brother teaches in Naples FL.. email me if you want to talk to him....... dickthompson@attbi.com

Offline SunKing

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« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2003, 01:12:56 PM »
Talk to Daddog.