What grade of school should I teach?

Question

Recently I decided I wanted to go back to school to get some sort of teaching degree, and I need help deciding what grade to teach based on my wants. I want to teach people who WANT to learn and are there to learn (for the most part...I know that not everyone is in a class for the right reason). I am not a big kid person, (for example middle school kids today bug the c**p out of me with their 'I know everything' attitudes and text messaging in class and what do I need school for...at least thats how my kids are!), but I love to teach when someone is willing to learn, regardless of age. I also want to be able to teach the truth instead of just reciting history book lines (i.e., not 'In 1492, Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue, but really teach the history of Columbus), and if I become an English teacher, I would like to challenge my students with really thought-provoking material/essays.

I feel like my only option with what I want is teaching at a college level. Any other grades work?

Answer 1

I hate to break it to you, but most kids don't really want to learn in school. I'm sure we will regret it later, but right now we just don't want to learn. So yeah, teach college i guess, but i don't even know if some of them want to be there.

Answer 2

You know, It sounds like you're really interested in content knowledge, and kids start digging into real content at around third grade.

School is changing what it teaches as far as "1492..." Teaching programs are trying to provide more culturally sensitive programs that show teachers how to research multiple perspectives to present to their children. For instance, I was given the assignment to teach about first contact between Native Americans and Europeans at around Thanksgiving time, but from the perspective of the Natives. This was to a class of second graders.

Check out the books Lies My Teacher Told Me and A People's History of the United States. These are really good sources of knowledge that you can use to provide a more culturally sensitive curriculum.

Younger kids typically enjoy school a little more, and are less cynical about being there. My best advice is to volunteer in the classrooms! See what's going on in schools nearby, so you can figure out what sort of things that you would like to teach.

Teaching college usually requires at least a master's degree in a certain field, if not a doctorate. If that's the route you want to go, great! Just know that even in college, students text during class and spend lecture time on myspace and facebook. This might even be more prevalant in college due to the fact that phones and laptops are permitted in class.

Good luck to you, congrats on the decision to become a teacher!

Answer 3

SCHOOL SUCKS! DO NOT HAVE A JOB AS A TEACHER! DO NOT TEACH ANYONE, YOU UNDERSTAND, HUH DO YA, PUNK?

Answer 4

lol we dont care

or pay attention

:]

Answer 5

I agree that a high school honors class or college level teaching might be best for you. The thing is that sometimes in order to get a job you have to take what is available and it is not likely a principal would give a high school honors class to a new teacher. You kind of have to take what you can get and prove yourself and wait for the opening that you would like to have. There are no guarantees that you will get the job you want right off the bat. Also a teachers job is to meet kids where they are and try to help them grow. As nice as it might seem it is unlikely you will get a class of eager learners even in honors English or college.

Answer 6

I think that if you wanted to use thought provoking material in an English setting, then a high school honors English class could also work for you. By making it an honors class it weeds out a lot of the kids that are only there because they have to be, and you end up with the kids that are really trying to learn something and get somewhere in life. They'll get into the discussions and make teaching a blast.

Answer 7

I can tell you off the bat that if you are NOT a "kid person" you will have a rough time.  A love of learning and  of young people is essential.

As for which level, here is basically how it breaks down.

At high school, your biggest enemy will be apathy.  You are going to be dealing with teens who simply do not care about school.  Most will do well.  Several will do only what they have to do to get through.  Highly motivated teens are the toughest because they often feel that you OWE them a good grade just for doing what they are told.

At Junior High, you are dealing with ENERGY.  Constant moving, touching, note passing, etc.  Thick skulled!

At elementary, you have to be kind.  Most kids at this level want somebody who is NICE.  

I wish you the best!  Teaching is noble and challenging.  Be a good one!

Answer 8

Wow, I would stay away from teaching altogether. You are never going to find a situation like you are describing.