What is teaching really like?

Question

I just graduated in high school as valedictorian. I would like to teach either English or history. I am a guy, but I am very patient and enjoy working with kids. I don't want to do it for the money- but to help others. But what is it really like? I feel like there will be nothing else like it. I feel like I have a "calling" for it. I want to do something that is creative, that will allow me to have plenty of time to get married and have a family, and that will let me help others. How much control do you have over what you teach and how you teach? How is the education field? Any stories or thoughts would help!

Answer 1

The actual teaching was fun.  The politics that you didn't know about as a student is the most frustrating part and why I no longer teach.

Teaching the test and not other more useful skills, power games where your supervisor is always right (example move all your stuff to a different wing, sorry custodians cannot help, have it done by tomorrow, thanks) and the really bad kids who are bad because they have really bad parents who blame you for their kids antisocial tendencies. ( Dad just got out of jail and sleeps all the time.)

Great job as long as you know what you are getting into.

Answer 2

Get ready to get pissed off at some kids.

Answer 3

anymore, teachers have very little control over what they teach, as the curriculum is being dictated to them from the state dept. of ed.

secondly, all that REALLY matters in a lot of districts is your test scores...  how high are they and why aren't they higher?  all anyone cares about is how to get more funding from NCLB, which has never been fully funded from the start.

as for the pay...  well, you already know about that.  

dont' get me wrong, it's a noble profession, but be ready for the politics, pally.  it's pretty brutal.

Answer 4

If all that you say is completely honest, then you NEED to teach. The teaching field has a horrendous shortage of male teachers that actually want to be there for the kids. Surprisingly enough (to some, anyway), students often love/respect male teachers more than female teachers. I think it has to do with missing a true father-figure in their lives.

Teaching is tough; I'm not going to lie. But if you truly feel called and want to do it for the kids, you will be happy doing nothing else. I just finished my first year of teaching, and I couldn't imagine being happier to go to work each day. Yes, I've had bad days (more than I could count), but I wouldn't trade my time with my students for anything, even a pay raise.

My advice  is this:

1) Get into a private university that is well-known for it's teacher preparation program. Make sure you get a chance to have at least two internships ASIDE from student teaching. Trust me, the more experience you have before you get your own classroom, the better.

2). Make a pact to yourself: you're always going to love your students, even if you don't like them. Promise yourself that you'll do your best to NEVER yell (one of my best friends and I landed jobs at the same school, and we signed a contract with each other saying we would never yell at our students; we kept it, and we had the best-managed classrooms in our hall, and our kids LOVED us for it).

3). Remember it's for the kids. You're going to get comments such as "You know what they say, 'Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach'." I got that same line throughout college and still do on occasion. Don't be discouraged by other people's lack of understanding or appreciation. It's not about you anyway. :)

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Well teaching can be fun if you make it fun, because if you show the kids if you can have a great time learning then it will be fun. And if your going to be a cool teacher then the kids will like you. But sometimes you might get annoying little kids and talkative kids...But if you just show that your a cool person then it'll be ok.

Answer 6

You're obviously a bright kid, and as such were probably placed

in all the "good" or advanced placement classes. Think about your classmates in some of the other regular classes, like Gym.

Would you like to try to teach all of these students? As a new teacher you will most likely not get the cream o' the crop. English

and History are mandated subjects and you will get all -commers, including some juvenile delinquents. And if you teach Jr. H.S., I'll say a little prayer for you! In a perfect world, you would just teach, and the students would just learn. In reality you are also a part-time manager, bookeeper,policeman,referee,politician,s... worker,psychologist, etc., with pressures from parents,administrators,the community and the Board of Education.

Ask around. Some teachers love their jobs (if you really don't need the money, that makes it somewhat more enjoyable too). Some will tactfully tell you that it's not that great. It's a mixed bag. My advise; Don't put "all your eggs in one basket". If you pursue a teaching program in college, also

minor or double major in something marketable as an alternative if you decide that teaching is not your thing.

Be open minded;you'll do just fine.

Answer 7

You will find that you have little control over anything.  You will find that there is, sadly, little respect that comes with such an important profession. You will find that the "thank you's" are amazing, but they are very few and far between.  You will find that just when you get comfortable with one thing, you are told that it is being changed to something that honestly seems to make little sense.

Answer 8

FYI English and history are not as in demand as math and science.

Answer 9

I think it's great that you want to teach!  Although lots of teachers complain, I think it's the best job in the world.  If you like kids, your subject matter and are organized the job it's a breeze.  If you haven't student taught yet hopefully you'll learn alot then.  

I taught English for 10 years and Special Ed. for 2.  I prefer English..especially the literature.