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ashleyb Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:11 PM |
| What age kids do you teach? What subject? Is it enjoyable? Would it be stupid of me to consider doing it? Help! |
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megg_inc Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:16 PM |
| My mum's a teacher. Does that count? |
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Posts: 811 |
ashleyb Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:17 PM |
megg_inc wrote: My mum's a teacher. Does that count?
Sure! As long as you have some insight for me |
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weirdmom Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:17 PM |
My mom teaches elementary school. Currently 2nd grade but she's done 3rd and 4th as well. She gets a lot of satisfaction out of it but she hates all the politics and pressure to "teach to the test". Also grading papers blows. And I am more appalled than she is at how gossipy and catty the environment is with other teachers.
Her team is pretty tight but there is nonsense with teachers from other grades.
I almost became a teacher. I wanted to do secondary. I did the first half of the student teaching program, hated it, and dropped out. So I just graduated with my English degree but no teaching certificate.
Do you have any days off (like you only have classes MWF) where you could substitute teach to get an idea? Do you know any teachers in the area that would let you observe? That could be a great way to pick their brain and see what it's really like. |
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rhysy Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:20 PM |
i coach 7 and 8 year olds
u need to knw how to control them. otherwise ure screwed |
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dee Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:21 PM |
i am just finishing my final year of training to be an elementary school teacher.
actually getting to teach kicks ass, there is no entertainment in the world like a 9 year old city kid telling you that their family buys expensive milk they pay extra so their milk never touches a cow( eventually i worked out they meant soya milk....)
however it sucks ass during the training stages cos you have to do unreal amounts of written work every night and then walk into a class room with more energy than a group of 30 4-year olds hyped up on fruit-winders playing with sand and lego who have no intention of sitting down to do boring stuff like learning to read/write/say their own name....etc
anyhoo, yes, go teach.
plus you get great holidays. |
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megg_inc Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:22 PM |
ashleyb wrote: megg_inc wrote: My mum's a teacher. Does that count?
Sure! As long as you have some insight for me
Elementary and middle school(10-15 years old kids). Polish grammar and literature. She's very passionate about her work and she's a really great teacher. Money's not too good. But, on the other hand- loooong vacations, winter break, long weekends etc.- not bad!
I guess you must love doing this. |
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ashleyb Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:23 PM |
weirdmominaustin wrote: My mom teaches elementary school. Currently 2nd grade but she's done 3rd and 4th as well. She gets a lot of satisfaction out of it but she hates all the politics and pressure to "teach to the test". Also grading papers blows. And I am more appalled than she is at how gossipy and catty the environment is with other teachers.
Her team is pretty tight but there is nonsense with teachers from other grades.
I almost became a teacher. I wanted to do secondary. I did the first half of the student teaching program, hated it, and dropped out. So I just graduated with my English degree but no teaching certificate.
Do you have any days off (like you only have classes MWF) where you could substitute teach to get an idea? Do you know any teachers in the area that would let you observe? That could be a great way to pick their brain and see what it's really like.
Thanks Anne! Unfortunately I have class everyday, but I could probably get some of my old teachers to let me sit in or just pester them with loads of questions. I'm looking at teaching high school history. I'm kinda in panic mode cuz I've realized I could actually be in the classroom teaching at 21, which just seems a ridiculous age to be handling 14-18 year olds.... |
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dee Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:25 PM |
ashleyb wrote: weirdmominaustin wrote: My mom teaches elementary school. Currently 2nd grade but she's done 3rd and 4th as well. She gets a lot of satisfaction out of it but she hates all the politics and pressure to "teach to the test". Also grading papers blows. And I am more appalled than she is at how gossipy and catty the environment is with other teachers.
Her team is pretty tight but there is nonsense with teachers from other grades.
I almost became a teacher. I wanted to do secondary. I did the first half of the student teaching program, hated it, and dropped out. So I just graduated with my English degree but no teaching certificate.
Do you have any days off (like you only have classes MWF) where you could substitute teach to get an idea? Do you know any teachers in the area that would let you observe? That could be a great way to pick their brain and see what it's really like.
Thanks Anne! Unfortunately I have class everyday, but I could probably get some of my old teachers to let me sit in or just pester them with loads of questions. I'm looking at teaching high school history. I'm kinda in panic mode cuz I've realized I could actually be in the classroom teaching at 21, which just seems a ridiculous age to be handling 14-18 year olds....
when my dad started teaching at 20 some of his pupils were older than him... |
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Posts: 811 |
ashleyb Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:27 PM |
thanks guys! Dee, how do you deal with the less than cooperative kids? I don't exactly have an authority type persona
EDIT: oh, and lmao about the milk that never touches a cow! |
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Lucile Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:29 PM |
I've been teaching English for 2 and a half years and I love it! I teach at university level so my students are between 19 and 22 (some are older) and I specialise in English linguistics and phonology as well as a bit of translation. I'm so happy to get up in the morning! That's my dream job!
It wasn't that easy last year though because I taught high school kids (between 15 & 18) from a very poor and violent area of the city but if you know how to talk to those kids and how to relate to them, it's extremely rewarding in the end. They were horrible most of the time but they had a good heart and I even stayed in touch with some of them. I bumped into former pupils yesterday and they begged me to come back! That brought a smile to my face for the rest of the day!
So to your question, yes, it enjoyable. Very enjoyable. I used to dread speaking in public, I used to be chronically shy but it's been life-changing for me. You just need to understand that they're not against you. There's no reason to be afraid of them, however tough they are. It may be challenging at first, but once you manage to establish a connection with them, trust me, it's one of the best jobs ever!
What subject would you consider teaching? Do you know if you'd rather teach younger kids or older kids?
If you have any more questions, I'd be glad to answer them :)
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weirdmom Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:31 PM |
ashleyb wrote: Thanks Anne! Unfortunately I have class everyday, but I could probably get some of my old teachers to let me sit in or just pester them with loads of questions. I'm looking at teaching high school history. I'm kinda in panic mode cuz I've realized I could actually be in the classroom teaching at 21, which just seems a ridiculous age to be handling 14-18 year olds....
Yeah I was 21 observing a sophomore English class. It was a bit weird but you can't show fear. They will accept you as a leader if you stand up there and do your thing. Not saying they won't talk back but they won't question it as much as you do.
(by the way I did get stopped every day when I was walking to the class and got asked for my hall pass. Sigh.)
You definitely have to earn their respect if you want them to not cause chaos. |
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dee Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:32 PM |
ashleyb wrote: thanks guys! Dee, how do you deal with the less than cooperative kids? I don't exactly have an authority type persona
teaching is all an act.you can be the most timid person outside a class, but you walk in, close the door and let everybody know that you are there to teach.
never take anything personal , you get worn down, stressed and snappy if you do.
you just have to learn to be patient at times, take a breath, get down to the kids own level and talk to them, reason with them quietly, but then at other times you are just going to have to accept some kids just want to piss about and that's entirely up to them. you just explain their options to them that there is a room full of people here to learn.
you develop a dealing style very quickly. |
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Posts: 811 |
ashleyb Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:35 PM |
Lucile wrote: I've been teaching English for 2 and a half years and I love it! I teach at university level so my students are between 19 and 22 (some are older) and I specialise in English linguistics and phonology as well as a bit of translation. I'm so happy to get up in the morning! That's my dream job!
It wasn't that easy last year though because I taught high school kids (between 15 & 18) from a very poor and violent area of the city but if you know how to talk to those kids and how to relate to them, it's extremely rewarding in the end. They were horrible most of the time but they had a good heart and I even stayed in touch with some of them. I bumped into former pupils yesterday and they begged me to come back! That brought a smile to my face for the rest of the day!
So to your question, yes, it enjoyable. Very enjoyable. I used to dread speaking in public, I used to be chronically shy but it's been life-changing for me. You just need to understand that they're not against you. There's no reason to be afraid of them, however tough they are. It may be challenging at first, but once you manage to establish a connection with them, trust me, it's one of the best jobs ever!
What subject would you consider teaching? Do you know if you'd rather teach younger kids or older kids?
If you have any more questions, I'd be glad to answer them :)
Thanks Lucile! I'm looking at teaching history at the high school level (specifically euro hist, which is usually for the 16 year olds) |
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Posts: 913 |
Lucile Posted Tue 18 Mar, 2008 9:38 PM |
ashleyb wrote: I don't exactly have an authority type persona
I didn't either when I first started teaching. I still don't think I have much authority, but it comes with time. And if you know how to talk to them, authority becomes almost unecessary. However, sometimes you will need to force yourself to speak firmly (even harshly) to them, even if you don't feel like it. They will generally be grateful to you for that, retrospectively.
Quote: You definitely have to earn their respect if you want them to not cause chaos
I agree with Anne - but even if you've earnt their respect, that doesn't mean they won't cause chaos! (At least they won't do it when the inspector visits you! haha!) |
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