What grade or subject should I teach?

Question

I'm torn between different ages to teach..

I know I don't want to teach really young kids, like preschool to second grade.. but I also don't want to teach high school either.

Preschool to second grade ages -- being a teacher is also like being a substitute mom. That's a little much for me.. not what I want.

High school ages -- probably wouldn't listen to me! I'm half their size!

Fourth or fifth grade -- the students are maturing slightly, starting to want to be on their own, but also slightly dependent on the teacher... Also, I get to teach all subjects, and since math isn't one of my strong subjects, I would be teaching the levels that is really easy.

or...

Middle school English, History, or Art teacher.

English has always been my best subject, history is super fun, and art is just plain AMAZING. Only bad thing is, I don't remember learning a single thing in middle school. Does anyone else??

Any suggestions on how to choose? I start college in spring?

Answer 1

When I started to major in Elementary Education I wanted to teach 3rd or 4th grade, but when I started to get into the classroom and see the different grades I like them all. I tutored 1st graders and it was wonderful. I thought that 1st and 2nd graders would be really dependent on the teacher but they weren't all that much. I went into the middle and high school and realized that those grades are not me - I couldn't see myself in the classroom teaching them.

What I suggest you do before you decide on a grade to teach - you should get into the classroom of different grades and really see which one you feel comfortable in. It's not something that you will decide over night - it's a long thought out process.

Don't rush into the decision. THINK LONG AND HARD!!!

Answer 2

Get into a classroom - several of them ... and ask yourself, "Can I see myself investing years of my life in teaching childdren of this age"?

It's the only way.

Teaching - the best job in the world by far if you love.  Must be h**l on earth if you don't.  I do!

Answer 3

You need to experience all the levels on your own. Ask about volunteering in a classroom or at the very least, see if you can observe. Don't just observe one teacher in that grade, everyone has their own style and the classes will behave differently.

Another wonderful option for you is to become a substitute teacher. In my district, you only need 60 credits or an AA to become one. That means you can sub about half way through college! I was a secondary ed major (Social Studies) and I found out by substituting that I had made a good choice. I subbed one day in an elementary school-grade 3- and hated every single minute. I stopped by the office on my way home and told them never to call me to sub again! I have worked in a middle school and a high school and love them both.

My brother was a Math Ed major. I tried to convince him to sub once he could. He didn't listen to me. Once his student teaching came around (his FINAL semester of college), he hated the experience. Then he was stuck with a degree to become a Math teacher and no desire to teach. He had no choice but to go on and get a Masters degree so he could do something else.

By the way, don't rule out high school right away just because of your size. I am pretty tall, but my first teaching job was at age 23 in a 12th grade class. I had students who were 20 and 21 and never had a problem with respect. In fact, sometimes they relate better to a younger teacher.  You should check out some high school classes, too. You never know!

One last suggestion, if you think you might like to teacher History, major in Social Studies ed- not just History. There are many subjects in a SS department.. Geography, Government/civics, economics, psychology, history, etc. If you major in just History, you may be limited to teaching just that. (Obviously this all depends on the state and district you work in!) With a SS degree, you will be certified to teach all of them. It may make you a bigger asset to a principal because he can be more flexible with the classes he assigns to you. Talk to your advisor about it- they should know the rules in your area!