Getting into the teaching field - will my style help me succeed or hinder my success?

Question

My current occupation is that of a professional educational speaker. I go to 65 high schools and give presentations on job interviewing, managing stress, writing resumes, etc. Since I started this job, I have really been considering becoming a teacher (specifically, high school English).

However, I am wondering if I should take the plunge due to the way I would want to manage my classroom and handle grading. I feel very strongly that high school should prepare students to excel in the "real world." I know that I would be very strict about handing in assignments late and I'd also be very attentive to the spelling, grammar, mechanics, and format of written work.

I guess I just want to know if I would have that latitude in deciding how much to emphasize those things in my classroom. I love to teach and help people, and would be great at teaching, but want to go in to the field with my eyes wide open.

Answer 1

I am not exactly what your job entails, however there are very few situations like having 20+ students you are responsible for in a room, day in and day out in a fairly casual setting.  As some have already stated most schools give you freedom to develop your own style in your classroom.  Nearly every teacher's style is different and in needed to be molded to ensure student success.  You cannot simply let them sink or swim.  If that is what you wish to do the college level may be more appropriate for you.

You first need to check with your state's requirements to become a secondary English teacher.  It varies from state to state and most are really cracking down on any exceptions due to No Child Left Behind and the requirement for (in their terms) "highly qualified teachers".  You can do this by contacting your state's Department of Education.

To me, spelling, grammar, mechanics and format are a large part of high school English, but is not everything.  As I am sure you are aware most classes discuses books, possible meanings, how it relates to the times the book was written, how it relates today, etc.  It is not simply writing essays.  As far as late homework goes you will have to follow the school's policy (most schools have them).

Answer 2

I think you would be a good teacher. Of course, students are going to complain, but as long as you show them that you truly care about them succeeding you can probably convince them that you aren't heartless :)

One of my favorite teachers this year (he teaches AP English Language) is a very good example of this. On essays, it is rare to get an A. The first one of the year, the highest anyone in any of his classes got was a B+ (there were three of them), and if he finds a single mechanical error, he marks you down. However, he is also very funny, so this helps balance out his strict grading. Also, the week before the AP test he called everyone up, one by one, to tell them exactly what we needed to do to pass, and how much we've improved since the beginning of the year.

Bottom line: grade hard (and warn you students on the first day of school), but be sure to due something to offset this in the classroom.

Good luck :)

Answer 3

I do not know where you are planning to teach, but in my district there is a little thing called academic freedom. Basically, as long as you cover the curriculum and do not abuse the students, you can run your classroom how you see fit. For a Language Arts teacher, being attentive to spelling, grammar, mechanics and writing format should not be a problem (in fact, it should be a requirement)! I was a Social Studies teacher (so I am not sure if I am even ABLE to catch all of those mistakes) for 6-8th grades, and I was always a stickler for spelling, grammar, etc.

I also did not allow students to turn in assignments late. I would explain to them: "If I turn in my grades late, then the whole school will have their report cards delayed, and I will get in big trouble. If I can't turn in my work late, then neither can you. "

Like I said, I taught Middle School Social Studies and I had those same basic rules. I cannot imagine you having an issue with them in a High School LA class. It is a good thing to have high expectations of your students! In fact, when we raise the bar, we often see that kids are capable of A LOT more than we first thought!

Answer 4

There are speech classes offered in high schools as well...Take a few introductory education classes and see if you like it.. try substituting in the high schools...

You will be teaching according to nclb guidelines.. if you don't mind that then go for it!

Answer 5

That depends completely upon where you go.  There is no such thing as a "monolitihic high school experience".  All schools are a bit different, depending upon where they are and who the administration happens to be.

I've taught in public, private, and charter schools, and I can tell you that more depends upon the parents (i.e., the demographics) of the students than any state guidelines.

You can find a school that allows you to be the teacher you want to be (assuming you are following certain basic guidelines), but first you have to know what kind of teacher you ARE (not what kind of teacher you THINK you are).  We can all change (for better of for worse) once we get into the classroom.  We MUST change some aspects of who we are if we are to meet the needs of a social group with which we are not familiar.  By this I am not suggesting that we lower our standards or expectations, but that we gear our pedagogy to most clearly impact the students with whom we interact.

To make a long story short, the classroom can be a very rewarding place...but it can also be a heartache.  Make sure you try more than one school (assuming the first one doesn't work out), and be willing to accept less money to teach at a school that will match your style, experience, and expectations.

Answer 6

I really think that it depends on how you approach the kids.  You can be very anal about how you want your students and you can demand respect but you also need to remember to give them respect and dont talk down to them and make sure they know.. this is what I expect from my students.. I am here for you, dont be afraid to ask questions if there is anything you unsure about.  If your too strict they may be afraid that you will look down to them an wont come to you with their questions and give up on themselves so just assure them from the start you are there to help them and you want them to know what it is like in the real world and again tell them you demand respect and you will give them the same in return.   I think you could be an awesome teacher as long as you start off with the right approach the students!!

Answer 7

Keep in mind that as a teacher, you are not the boss.  While you have some latitude on grading, you can't just teach what you want and how you want to teach.

Answer 8

of course, on first impression, students are going to love the relaxed teacher.  however, on second impression, I think that students really do want a hard teacher.  I'd rather have a teacher that was hard on his or her students simply because to me that shows that they truly care

Answer 9

I have been a high school English teacher for 23 years in Texas and I have been in many school districts due to the fact that I also coach. I love the classroom and the kids , but I have never been in a district where I had that kind of latitude . The district has a distinct grading policy and every teacher must follow it .

For example . If a student does not hand in anything for the entire six weeks , the lowest grade that I can give them is a 50 . That's policy and you either follow it or get out .

Then there are special Ed kids that you must

treat and grade differently . There are also kids that can not speak English , but you must work with them and you can not fail them if the reason is that they can not speak , read , or write English. You must also spend time geting them ready to take the state test and not what

you are suggesting .

Good luck in your choice . I hope that this helps you . God bless