Whats it like to be a teacher?

Question

I am thinking about going to school to be an english teacher. I would like to know how much it cost, what school is good and just wanting to know what a teacher thinks about there job/ career?

Answer 1

I am an English teacher in my second year. The school part is pretty easy. Go to any accredited college or university and follow their English Ed. degree plan. Teaching can be rewarding and frustrating. I enjoy the interactions with teenagers (weird group of people!). I'm not too fond of the stereotypical English teacher type people. I'm a real person--not a caricature! Teaching doesn't pay much in most places especially when you tie in the cost of living. Places that are great to teach are Texas--great pay, low cost of living, lots to do in the state--and Georgia --same as Texas. I'm currently in Texas now in a small town (which sucks for a whole list of reasons), but within the next two years I plan on moving to Georgia. When you think about the schedule of a teacher, teaching is pretty awesome. I only work 180 days out of the year and make almost $40,000 a year. I get Christmas break (two weeks) off, Spring Break (one week) off, all the major holidays and summer (3 whole months). I can work another job at night if I want because I'm out of school at 3. I can work during the summer AND do summer school (about $3000-$4000 where I am). Plus, if you plan on having children it is the perfect profession to jump in and out of as you please without worrying about the way the profession has changed or if you are still qualified enough. I love my job as you can probably tell. There are downfalls, but, to me, the benefits outweigh them by far. Good luck! We need good, young teachers!

Answer 2

If you are cut out to be a teacher it is the best job in the world. If you don't enjoy it, it is a misery and no amount of money can induce you to like it.

Teaching is my third career. I have been doing it for seven years now, and it just gets more and more fun. I was a library worker and an engineer before this, and both of these careers helped me to be the teacher that I am today.

I get in to work early each day, and leave late in the afternoon. My evenings and weekends are spent grading papers and planning my lessons. I have spent thousands of hours of my own time and thousands of my own dollars to become better at what I do and provide my students with the best possible education that I can.

Each day is a new challenge and a new experience. I teach 4 periods of one subject and 1 period of an elective. I teach in a large, comprehensive high school in a major urban area. My students are mostly from working class families, and many of the are English language learners.

I enjoy all of my classes and for a variety of reasons. One is the simple pleasure of teaching: it is fun. Another is the knowledge that I am doing something that I like to do and that I am good at. And finally, there is the very real pleasure of doing something worthwhile and positive for society.

There are times that it can be frustrating, and difficult, but if this is what you enjoy doing, do it and you will never, ever regret it.

Answer 3

First you have to go to college and get your bachelor's degree. If you are still interested in teaching, you will need to take some exams and apply to a licensing program in your state. The school you go to to get your license does not matter at all. I have been a teacher for about 20 years and I enjoy it very much. The benefits are good, the pay is not bad and I feel like I am really accomplishing something in the world. One other very important thing: teaching is many things, but it is NEVER boring. Every day is different. I would die if I had one of those tedious jobs where you did the same thing all day every day. Can you imagine?

Answer 4

I'm a teacher and I love it. It's very, very tough--but also incredibly rewarding.

I firmly believe, however, that everyone thinking about teaching needs to get into a classroom and spend some time there, observing the teacher and his/her students. It's such a demanding profession that you shouldn't do it unless you're really into it.

And college is not the greatest place to figure that out. Yes, education classes are very important for future teachers. But, even in education classes, you may not get into a real classroom or work with real kids for quite a while. There can also be a pretty big disconnect between the theory and the practice--what it really looks like to do it every day. The best way to know if it's for you is to hang out with real teachers and real kids.

Answer 5

I can help with part of your question. To be a teacher, you need to get a bachelor's degree minimum, usually 4 years at any college or university. As for cost, it depends on which college/university you end up going to.

My Dad was a math teacher for around 35 years and he loved it. Along with that he coached sports, provided security at music programs & sporting events, was student council advisor, and ended up being athletic director. He was at the school constantly and gave it his all. He also never took a sick day because it would be bad for his students. So I am very much under the impression that it was a great career for him and he really enjoyed it.

Answer 6

I am only an assistant so I can't answer everything you are asking but personally I LOVE my job. I work in the special education program. if i didn't have young children of my own who need so much time from me i would go finish my degree to be a teacher. it is a very rewarding job in my opinion. but like everything else there are negative and positive. could you handle a pi$$ed off parent bit**ing you up one side and down the other? would the love of/for your students out weigh that?

Answer 7

I did not start off as a teacher, I was in social work. I went the alternative certification route and have never regretted it. I love teaching and having the summers off is great. I teach 7th grade English and have a great time.

Answer 8

Alright put your left breast in a knurled jaw vise and turn the handle until it really hurts leave it there for 5 days then remove it for 2 days rinse and repeat for 20 yrs yes even summers oh and when the admin folks stop by to tell you your doing it wrong pinch your right nipple as hard as you can congrats your a teacher

Answer 9

Teaching is a calling, you do not just get a degree in english, get hired.. you must be or have an emotional inclination to pass on the learning experiences you had or did not have with a degree of contentness.

Answer 10

Some days it is the best place on earth and other days I ask myself how much longer I will be able to do it. Then some days I feel both of those emotions on the same day....like today.
I had student's achieve success on a district test and I had a student tell me he hated me and wanted out of my class. There is never a dull moment.