Im torn! Im going to school to become a probation officer, but as of now i work with children at an afterschoool program. All of the teachers ask me if im going to become a teacher and i tell then No! but i was wondering if that is what i should do. I like helping children suceed but i dont know what to do.
2006-09-08 05:39:13 · 8 answers · asked by Big O 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
a probation officer is a teacher too they teach kids how to try their best to be all they can with out gangs trouble or violence you would be a life teacher
2006-09-08 05:47:15 · answer #1 · answered by the ole ball and chain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been a teacher, and now I'm a juvenile probation officer. I love helping kids succeed, and I see that as a function of both careers.
There are, of course, differences in each field, but there are also a lot of similarities. In each, you will be working with kids of various ability levels and motivations. Some see school as a opportunity, and some see it as an ordeal to endure. It's the same thing with probation. There are those who will see their arrest and time on probation as a learning experience and there are those who see it as just something to endure.
As a juvenile probation officer, I see my role as a cheerleader, a parent, a principal, a debt collector, a warden, an investigator, and a counselor to these kids and to their parents. I had most of those same roles as a teacher. One of the big differences is that, as a regular public school teacher, most of my students will succeed in life. As a PO, my clients have made mistakes. I want to do everything I can to help them take those mistakes and use them as learning experiences so that they can succeed in the rest of their lives. I think my teaching experience makes me a better probation officer since I'm used to dealing with kids and their problems, although the vast majority of those problems weren't nearly as bad as the problems I now deal with.
I think I like my current career better than I did teaching, but that's a choice you'll have to make for yourself. Have you considered doing a dual major with criminal justice and education? You could probably complete both majors in the same amount of time that it would take to complete one major. You could then try out one field. If you find that you want a change, you can then switch to the other field later.
2006-09-10 03:23:40 · answer #2 · answered by Mama Pastafarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will be helping children whichever career you choose, but there is a big difference between working with kids in an afterschool program and working with a full class all day.
Have you taken any aptitude tests to find out where your strengths are? Have you asked to sit in for a day as a classroom observer?
Don't choose a job because somebody else thinks you'd be good at it. Do it because it's what you enjoy doing -- so much so that you'd do it whether you got paid or not. Because working at something you don't like isn't worth it, no matter how big the salary is.
2006-09-08 09:31:16 · answer #3 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your passion is in helping troubled children, I would recommend becoming the probation officer. You won't get to see as many students who are just naturally successful, and chances are you won't get to meet as many supportive parents either. You WILL get to make a bigger difference in the lives of children who need positive adult role models. You'll be reaching more troubled youth if you take that route. If, however, you simply enjoy helping children in all aspects of their lives, teaching is an extremely rewarding career. Dealing with the bureaucracy of teaching can be trying at times, but at the end of the day, if you've done your best to help EVERY child in your class, it's all worth it.
2006-09-08 10:33:38 · answer #4 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. Both are noble professions. The difference is if you become a probation officer you will be helping misled children get their lives back on track. Teaching on the other hand is more mainstream. You would help educate all types of children but it would be a little less one on one. So ask yourself do you want to help children in trouble or teach children in general.
2006-09-08 05:47:14 · answer #5 · answered by Stiletto ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey Big O! I am a parent of a 16 yr old young man currently being housed at a YA (Youuth Authority) facility. I have seen and met with many staff members there. Trust me when I tell you that those kids in juvenille really need positive and patient staff members to work with them. My son has told me stories of staff setting up fights, bringing in drugs and cigarettes to the kids, just to name a few. If you work that well with kids and you really enjoy helping children to succeed then I would say being a probation officer would really make a difference. Your afterschool kids go home to family, warm homes, and home cooked meals--my son and those other young men and ladies go "home" to a small, hot, stuffy cell with a bolted door. A positive male role model like yourself, especially for the young men, could really do some good. Whatever you decide to do, good luck to you. Peace.
2006-09-08 05:56:47 · answer #6 · answered by Poetess_4U 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well what do you want to do? I think this should be your choice not anyone on here.. IT:S YOUR LIFE
so grab some paper and right out the pro's and cons of each job!
Teacher makes X amount of Money
p officer makes X amount of money
what are the perks for each job!
teachers get summers off
probations officers deal with troubled kids
as a teacher you'll have some nice and goood ones too..
Good luck
Mad luv
ps teacher!!!
2006-09-08 05:44:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
before you decide why don't you go to your local school board personnel office and sign up to be a substitute teacher? Then you can see if that is what you'd really like or not
2006-09-08 05:47:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋