Becoming a Teach?

Question

I've always been fascinated with the power of teaching, how people respond, how it helps the other person with no return reward (except for pay and personal enjoyment).

The problem is, throughout college, I've taken mostly entry-level basics. I have no idea what I want to do, or where to even begin. One thing I worry about are job prospects because I don't want to come out of college without a teaching job.

HELP

Answer 1

Trust me on this one, you will find a job! Teaching is not about the power or control you have, its about the empowerment you give your students each day. I have taught special needs kids for four years. Although I could have done a lot of things with my life, I had to do something that would actually count for something one day. Yes, Its HARD and CHALLENGING, its not the easy road. and YES, you will get burned out and have bad days and YES, Money will always be a struggle when you teach (I make about 35K with my masters). But when your dead, who really cares about money, you can't take it with you. BUT, you can take with you all those wonderful spirits you helped along the way.

Even, if you can help just one kid along the way...wasn't it worth it?

So, please know that many college kids feel the exact same way you do.....confused??? So ask yourself what you want from your life first and then start setting some goals and you will do it, trust me!

Answer 2

You should consider "alternative certification" programs if you are looking to teach in public schools, but are lacking credits and experience.

Look into the New York City Teaching Fellows Program:
http://www.nycteachingfellows.org/ if you live there or are willing to move. No experience required, although it is a very competitve program. They pay for your Master's Degree in Education, provide a salary, and provide support.

Another opportunity is Teach for America, www.teachforamerica.org. Another competitive program that requires no experience, just dedication to learn about the art of teaching.

If you are willing to teach abroad, check out TEACH ABROAD, http://www.teachabroad.com

Teaching is great because it provides flexibility, enrichment, learning, and challenge. You can travel the world with a teaching certificate or teach down the block in your home town. And if you want to take a break to explore other career options, you can do so and then hop back in to teaching 5-10-20 years later. There's always a need for a teacher!

Teaching is a calling. Sometimes you choose a calling, and sometime the calling chooses you. So explore while you're still young!

Answer 3

Well you can start by seeing if any of the classes you've taken so far can be transfered toward an education degree, which they should for the most part. Really, it is quite easy to get into this profession as there is a great need for teachers and colleges work with you to give you the experience you need through internships and the like... you just have to look into what different progams your college offers. You can also try working at a school now as a teachers aide. If you let the principles and teachers know that you are going to college to be a teacher and you do a good job working at that school, that school will most likely let you know that there will be a job for you waiting as soon as you finish getting your degree.

I work at a school now and they have expressed to me over and over again that there is a job waiting for me as soon as I finish getting my degree.

Answer 4

There are always jobs for teachers because burn-out rate is pretty high, and it's not like public schools go out of business. Here's what's happening in my area though: the public school system has such an inadequate budget that they can't afford to hire enough teachers to fill their openings. All they can do is fill posts by hiring "long term subs" or multiple part-time teachers to fill full-time posts, so that they have their staff but can get away with paying them less and don't have to give them benefits. Pretty demoralizing.

If you're willing to possibly relocate in that event, and especially if you're willing to teach math or science, and get certified as bilingual and/or special ed... you'll definitely get work.

And yes, it's very rewarding. :)

Answer 5

You can be a resource teacher at an elementary school or something. Its a start. That means you substitute for any teacher that is absent and you run errands.
Take some teaching courses if you still can. Do community service teaching to get some experience.

BTW, teaching is VERY rewarding. I only forgive you for saying it because you haven't taught before. ;)

Answer 6

There are so many different aspects to becoming a teacher, but if you think it's something you would like to do, go to your school's education department and ask about entry-level education courses that will allow you to go out into the schools and do observations of teachers in a variety of settings.

Think about fields that interest you, talk to teachers working in those fields. Ask as many questions as you can!

Consider that math, science and special education are "critical need" areas with MANY job openings in a variety of sub-fields. Other fields, in particular social studies, are quite crowded and competition is fierce for available positions.

Good luck to you!

Answer 7

how easily you get a job depends on where you live and in what area you are choosing to teach. don't let that deter you. teaching is an extremely rewarding and exciting profession. i wouldn't want to do anything else.

You can also get jobs as a substitute until something more permanent opens up

good luck!

Answer 8

You can try giving private lessons to kids or adult that need help in English or ESL students or in anything that you are good at. You can also try to volunteer your time at a local school to help students get ahead.

Answer 9

so what do you want!!! be a teacher and quit whining, but before you start your new career in teaching you need to do a stint in the military, its your civic duty.