Elementary school teachers, what do you think?

Question

I am considering becoming a elementary school teacher. I would love to be able to teach children. I don't think that I know of anything that would be more rewarding than to help children learn new and important things that will help them better themselves. I think that I would be a good canidate to teach because I am very personnable and understanding and caring, but I think that I would also be able to take control.

The thing is, my husband thinks that I don't know enough to teach. He is someone who can learn something and be able to have that for the rest of his life. I, on hte other hand, will forget things that I haven't used in 15 years, but once I am refreshed on it I know it! I really wanted to teach English/Literature and he feels that to teach these things that I should know all the great works inside and out and that I should passionate about these works. I think that this is true to a point, but not the way that he feels about it.

Answer 1

i don't think your husband could be more wrong.  the fact that you have the calling to be a teacher says a lot.  

as far as knowing everything - that's impossible!  there is always something new to learn.  one should learn new things throughtout their entire life.  one goal that great teachers have is to create lifelong learners.

the job of a teacher is not to just provide information, it's to draw information out of students.  learning together can be a very rewarding experience for both you and your students.  they will see that everyone learns, even teachers!  that can be a very powerful motivated for them, as well.

btw, i assure you that all of my English teachers did not know the great works inside and out.  should you be knowledgeable?  sure, but what you don't know, you will learn.  i say go for it!

good luck.

Answer 2

I agree with Blue. Teaching is tough, but most of us love it.

When you go back to school to take the classes that you need to get certified, they will teach you (or you will research) a lot of the book stuff.  The rest will come when you are in the classroom.

Planning is probably the most crucial part of teaching and classroom management.  Plan your lessons in detail. Read and reread what you will teach.  Well planned lessons often lead to less issues in the classroom.

You do have to decide what you want to teach. Elementary teachers typically teach all subjects, until the higher grades where they may teach half of them.  In middle and high schools, teacher specialize in one or two subjects.

Do you already have a college degree? If you do, you may want to see what classes would count towards either certificate.

Answer 3

Don't let your husband keep you from something you want to do.  I think your husband is confusing college professor with elementary school teacher.  Teaching has very little to do with knowing everything and has a lot to do with being able to break things down so that students understand.  My students seem to appreciate when I tell them something was hard for me at their age or that I still don't really like it at my age.

If this is what you want to do, go for it!  It is a very rewarding way to spend your day!

Answer 4

First, do not become a teacher to prove anything to anyone else.  Teaching is a much harder job than the general public realizes, and you need to want to be there for yourself or you will be absolutely miserable.

Second, if you're teaching elementary, you will not be teaching the classics.  They barely know how to read!

Third, all of us plan our lessons, read what we will be teaching, and review before class.  You take it only one day at a time, and you do not need to have a photographic memory at all.  You just need dedication and organization.

If you want to be a teacher, go for it and ignore your husband.  You can be very successful regardless of his thoughts on the matter.