How do you know if teaching is the right profession for you?

Question

I'm considering taking classes to achieve a masters in teaching. I love children, I love learning and college in general, and I love teaching other people things that I've learned. But I'm still nervous about if it's the right job or not. Any advice?

Answer 1

The two things I always check for are this...
1) Do I like it?
2) Do others say I'm good at it?

If both are a 'yes' then go for it!

Answer 2

I am similar to you. What I detect is from your question is the time and money spent in the master's program, whereas, it is put to the best use. I work in the public school system, but it became a learning process. I liked children: I liked learning; and, that is what I thought is was all about, so I thought. Some of the draw backs that schools are dealing with teachers not able to instruct children all school year now because of the testing. Testing goes on just about the last half the the school year. Thus, a teacher only teaches the first part of the semester, and the rest is devoted to testing. It is more demands on both students and teachers more now than ever. So, follow your heart. This is what I am doing, and if you can work, or VOLUNTEER in anyway do so it will give you more insight.

Answer 3

Love of children is probably one of the best indicators, but also you have to know and do so many other things. Teaching is a calling, you have to have a love of learning, a love of children, a feeling that you can reach out and touch even the most distant learner and that you can teach every kind of student. Being flexible, open minded, full of ideas, loving, caring and committed can all lead to being a great teacher, but is it right for you? That is a question only you can answer. Try to see if you can observe some teachers this school year. It might be hard and not really the same thing, but at least you can see what a teacher does on a daily basis.

Answer 4

That is a loaded question. Teaching is obviously not for everyone, which you already or you wouldn't be asking. I have been a teacher for 4 years and I got into for the same reasons you have stated - I love children. But loving children and being about to teach them effectively are two different things. I love my students very much, but I am not cut out for the bureaucracy of teaching. With the No Child Left Behind laws there are so many things that I do in a day that have nothing to do with actual teaching. But the only real way to know if teaching is right for you is to try it. You might really love it, but you won't know until you try it. I have done it for four years, like I said, and I may teach one or two more years. Then, I plan to take what I learned while I have been teaching to help children who don't have access to education. So, really even if you don't like enough to teach forever, you will learn some really great things about yourself and others.

Answer 5

I think teachers are born teachers not made into teachers. Teachers that are not born to teach quit within the first 5 years.
I come from a long line of teachers and everyone in my family are teachers including me. I even married a teacher.
I knew what I was getting into. Subbing can be a great experience but it's not the same as having your own classroom. I would schedule a lot of observations in a variety of classrooms. If you look at the teacher in front and say "I know I could do that" then go for it.
Teaching has it's ups and downs as others before me have told you, but at the end of the day (good or bad) I just can't picture myself doing anything else. This is the place you need to come to to know if teaching is for you or not.

Answer 6

The best thing to do before spending the money on the courses is to volunteer in a few different schools. I had the opportunity of doing a co-op placement while I was still in high school. I went to a grade 5 classroom which was awesome but then while I was in university I volunteered in two different schools and discovered that I loved high school even better. So I was able to figure out what I wanted to take before having to take the money. That also allowed me to see what happened everyday in the classroom and school setting and helped me to decide wether or not I would enjoy all aspects of teaching. And, well, I did so now I am in my 3rd year and loving every moment!

Answer 7

The best way to find out is to put yourself in a classroom environment. Volunteer in a public school setting of your choice and if you like it then pursue a teaching program an a local university. I've worked with people that have invested lots of time, energy and money into obtaining a teaching credential only to find out that they are not compatible with the teaching profession. Don't let this happen to you. Explore the job before you jump into it. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

Loving children helps, but it alone would not qualify you. I, for one, love little children, but I could never teach them. I would only want to love them and play with them. If you were teaching, would you be able to put your desire for their education ahead of affection?

Loving learning is even more important. An open mind might be the greatest gift a teacher can bring to the profession. If you are braced to handle learning not just from books and "experts" as you do in higher education, but also from snotty kids and your own mistakes, then you will do well. It's a humbling experience, but if learning really matters to you, it will also be worth it.

The love of sharing knowledge is also one of the greatest assets you can bring to teaching. Just loving kids will not make you a teacher. Loving to learn makes you a scholar. But teaching, the earnest sharing of knowledge, combines those traits and makes you an excellent candidate for teaching.

In other words, it'll be tough, but once you decide to do this for sure, you will have what you need to get started.

Answer 9

1. Do you love children for who they are, even the cussing, disrespectful, flip you off and blame you for their failure type of student. Bad teachers love kids for what they can become. Good teachers love kids for who they ARE.

2. Do care about money, because if you do you'll end up being H.S. principal most get six figures. Principals don't teach they manage and lead. You will always limit yourself if your goal is to be a principal. It's not wrong to want to be one, but be honest with yourself/coworkers/students about your ambition.

3. Figure out what age level you want to teach and stick with it. People will try to convince you otherwise and that your choice is wrong. It's not again be honest. If you like elementry age age kids you hate middle and high school and vice versa.

4. Get a side gig. Or rich spouse. Otherwise you will live broke and die in debt. See #2.

Answer 10

From what you've said, I think you'd enjoy teaching. Don't forget, though, that as a teacher you will also have to deal with parents and administration. And kids who don't behave well.

I teach at the college level, and I love it. I didn't think I would when I started, though (I started as an adjunct prof, just to earn a little extra money and partly as a favor to my employer at the time). I didn't think I'd like it because I didn't think I'd have the patience for it. Turns out I have plenty of patience, but I never would have known that if I hadn't gone and tried it. So my advice is similar to others before me - try it!

Answer 11

You have the answer already in your question,teaching as a matter of fact is a career where you have to be really in love with all what you mentioned. You will be definitely an excellent teacher. Go ahead.