Doubtful to become a teacher...

Why . . . ?
Why do think you might like to become a teacher? It's a tough job and usually with lousy pay. At least to start. Well, what are some good reasons to teach? Why did I?

If you're a people person, want to make a difference in the students' lives - for the better - and want to continue learning, both socially and academically, become a teacher! Did I love it? Yes, indeed! There's no more rewarding, fulfilling "job."

I have a few reasons:

- To teach math (or any subject) the right way. I've been taught by many professors to just substitute a given formula and that's it. I find it better to promote thinking and reasoning.
- It seems to be one of the jobs where people are always re-inventing themselves.
- Might be a bad reason, but I like the sensation I get when I know more than others about a given subject.
- Students always say the darnest things.
- There's always human contact going on so I know I'll keep on growing.

Those are basically them... thanks for your reply.

Joe,
It seems to me that if you have a passion for teaching, you'll know it, and as far as I'm concerned, only those with that passion should be teaching.
If you're only drawn to it so you can think you're smarter than others, forget it. There are too many folks with that attitude doing damage in classrooms and other places already.
Charli,
Hi! Long time no see!

Hi . . .
Hi, Jesusgirl22 - Back at ya! Good to hear from you!

I couldn't have said it better myself, JG. Teaching is the best job I ever had - and probably paid pretty close to the least. As far as "feeling smarter," there are lots of kids out today who are SUPER SHARP! Just what are they feeding them anyway? Makes things interesting for the teacher . . . trying to keep up. Forget being one step ahead! Quite a learning process . . . for Teacher. Love it!

Charli,
Yep, kids are sharp these days.

I refuse to believe it's from fast food, Yu-gi-oh, or lunchables. Maybe it's those high octane baby formulas? Who knows? Yes, I know it will be a challenge to keep up, but I'm up for it. God willing, I should be graduating Dec. 2005, and then if He's willing again, there'll be a classroom for me somewhere.

Congratulations . . .
Congratulations! Jesusgirl22 on your graduation in the near future! Yes, there absolutely will be a classroom for you. What grade levels, subjects, etc., are you interested in teaching?

My one regret is that I can't hope to continue on and on to infinity. Yep, it's been that enjoyable for the most part. O.K., there was a day or two now and then best forgotten. Which I guess is exactly what I've done. Usually, anything untoward was caused by "grownups."

Good wishes for your future teaching career! And to JoeFX, too, should he so decide . . . and all teachers viewing this thread.

Charli,
Thanks for the well wishes! My major is elementary science. It will be my retirement career of course, but what the heck. If I've still got to work I might just as well have fun doing it. Yep. We're gonna make volcanoes and submarines, and play with bugs and sticks, and really cool stuff!
Yep.

Ok, if I had a choice, I think I'd pick 3rd/4th graders. They're a really delightful age. Full of wonder yet sophisticated enough so no one can pull a fast one on them. Old enough not to pee their pants or cry at the drop of a hat, and young enough to not be too mouthy yet.

I've subbed for K-12 and am heading back into subbing soon. I still have to do the respiratory thing for the money but I think I can still pick up a day or two here and there subbing. Maybe.

I was really burned out for a while and almost quit but my last teacher over the summer got me fired up again. The close it gets, the better I'm liking it again.

Yes, I want to do lesson plans. I want to grade papers and help students with projects. I want to see young souls discover the magic of seeds sprouting, or flowers blooming, or animals migrating. Seeing a student's face light up or exclaim, "Oh, I get it!" when he/she finally catches on to something is an unbelievable high. Those lightbulb moments are worth weeks of toil and trouble.

I've been asked if I'll give up the breathing game and have to say, "I don't know." I've always said I live and breathe respiratory, and I know I'd like to work a shift now and then just to keep my skills up. And as gratifying as it is to have a patient, a family member or other staff member say, "Hey, respiratory, good job!", I still really want the teaching thing. Really.
Aw well...I don't think I've been lead this far for nothing. We'll just have to wait and see where the trail goes.

I've been a practicing engineer for over thirty years. I'm in the process of getting into an alternative certification program, details in another thread this forum.

The engineering was fun most of the time. But at the last place I worked, almost 18 years, I slowly moved from hands on to administrative and eventually to safety. The safety was fun and rewarding as well, then we had five management changes affecting the saftey department in four years. We went from five people to two, and I wasn't number one. There were a great number of changes in the way the big boss wanted things done that I very strongly disagreed with and I left. There was also an aspect of I was getting tired of sitting at a desk and not really able to move around and play with things as I used to do as a hands on engineer. (Can you say fifty pound weight gain? )

But in the thirty years I had many opportunities, and duties, to instruct. How to operate new programs, how to operate new equipement, how to work safely, etc. I found I enjoyed that, and many people told me that they liked, and sometimes preferred, my training. So I'm working on giving it a try.

Best wishes,
Kelly

Charli, your mustache might offend some people, you know.

A Welcome and about that moustache
Welcome aboard, KellyS! Can't tell what part of the country you live in. However, here on the East Coast we have lots of Secondary Vocational Schools. Without a doubt, lots of room there for you teaching Engineering-Related Subjects. Go for it! And, good luck!

Slappy Doo Hoo - Anyone who knows me, knows that the moustache is glued on. A prop in a publicity still. I'm really quite a handsome fellow. Maybe a different pix is available. I'll go now and look for one - but not "The Little Tramp"! [/color]

Hello, Slappy.
I rather like Charli's mustache.

Kelly,
What sort of classes are you taking to fulfill your certificate requirements?

Here we are . . .
Look, no moustache! Ah, those were the days! Yes, it IS the same person - one and the same. But, once upon a time, we were all beautiful! :-) ;-) ;-)

Thanks for the welcome Charli, et. al.

I'm in extreme far west Texas, El Paso. They are begging for math teachers, but the system to get a certificate is complicated by "No Child Left Behind", and the Bush precursor he left from when he was governor here. I won't go into the lack of funding for education.

I find it is primarily getting through the bueracracies that is the problem. As soon as I get past one hurdle, there is another. But I'm knocking them over one by one.

Kelly

KellyS - El Paso Question
Kelly - would love to chat with you via email about getting certified in El Paso. I am VERY interested in learning more about this. Please let me know if and how I can contact you! Thanks!

Keep trying.