I have chosen to become a teacher. What can you tell me?

Question

I have been working as an architech technician for the past 3 years and i wish to change career to somethin more challenging and meaningful. I have chosen to train as a design and technology teacher. Does anyone have any information that might help? Something i should know?

Thank you all very much in advance.

Chris

I would take note of the negative posts if they actually had somethin to notice. I see no point in posting the word Noooo... i did not ask anyhtin that no can answer.
Thank you friend, i have been known for point graping in the past as well.

Answer 1

Great choice! I find it inspiring to know that you are choosing to become a teacher, rather than some who say they are forced. I have been a teacher for 4+ years and I have some advice for you:

+do not make money an issue--I believe we are paid what we are paid to keep "money-mongers" out of the profession

+teach a subject or subjects for which you have a passion, i.e. science, reading, design technology :o)

+find a good mentor teacher--a positive teacher who really loves teaching can make all the difference in the world.

+always be a good role model for your students--set the example and act the part, regardless of what is happening outside your classroom.

+fight the right battles, and choose wisely--as a teacher you will encounter many different and challenging scenarios. Choose your battles with parents and administrators, as some fights are pointless and will only drain your reserves.

+use and encourage the use of technology and the Internet in your classroom--do not get stuck in the "by-the-book" teaching model.

Thank you for your interest in teaching and for spurring discussion on the topic. The best of luck to you

Answer 2

All the best! Yes... being a student and a teacher I can say that its important to develop a lot of patience when u r a teacher coz u shud realize that u r teaching a person something new!
Never ever get irritated because this is a profession u have chosen and be prepared to repeat things in every class....
U can experiment with the ways u teach for instance make the learning interesting for the students, add the experience u felt when u were being taught, share it with ur students and build a rapport with them... this wil definately help. BUT pls maintain distance beyond a point as the element of respect has to be there. Keep 10 min after every session and invite questions from students... involve them also in the process by asking them to perform presentations or roleplays...
and also ROCK!!!

Answer 3

what a coincidence! m also chris s and planning to change my career to teacher. i was a retail manager for the past 4 years and i got bored. i want something more challenging and a schedule that goes with my kids' schedule. that's why i thought of teaching. I've been a tutor in college and it's rewarding. gives you a great feeling.

the only thing that I'm thinking right now is if i can handle a class and young kids. they are way too different than the ones i used to tutor, college students.

so what i was thinking is start as a teacher assistant first to see if i could handle children. i have kids, but that's different. i have lots of patience towards people in a whole, young and old. but m not sure. so I'll try teaching as a teacher assistant and see how it goes.

well good luck to both of us.

Answer 4

Don't listen to people who give negative responses to your post. There are not many careers left that have as much impact on changing the world as teaching. The money isn't great - but still competitive as you gain in years of experience and the retirement benefits are very good. Unlike many jobs, teaching forces you to think on your feet and stay flexible. Continuing education requirements force you to further your own education and to keep up with technology and new discoveries. With teaching, you have the opportunity to change lives and influence many people. I know all these things because I have taught for 32 years. Even though I am 4 years past the full retirement requirement ( 28 years) in my state - I plan to teach another 8 years if possible. If teaching was not rewarding, why would I do that?
p.s. Another bonus is the occasional snow day like today! ; - )

Answer 5

Good Points:

You really are shaping minds and changing the world!
Your job will NEVER be boring, and ALWAYS be creative!
Your past experiences in the "real world" are a gem!
You'll learn something about yourself on a daily basis.
The long term- and i DO mean long term- financial benefits are noteworthy.
Job stability. Who else can say that in today's job market?


Bad Points
Many teachers and administrators in the field are truly institutionalized! You'll find it sometimes difficult to understand their irrational behaviors after having worked in another field. It'll be like you've never really left high school! Teachers fit into the same darn cliques as their students: The mean girls, the dumb jocks, the burn-outs, the needy and gossipy. My advice: Steer clear of the Teacher's lounge and lunch room! It's usually a venomous pit.

The initial pay for the first fifteen or so years is SUB PAR compared to the work load! ESP. if you live in a state that requires you to jump through MANY hoops to obtain certification.

"Summers off" is really a myth! Most teachers worth a damn are constantly revamping, and do much prep at their desks during the summer months- usually on their own dimes!

You'll have to deal with ignorant people who say, "Yeah... but you get summers off!"

High stakes testing can be a real bite in the ****... esp. if you work for a demanding district who focuses heavily on scores.

Kids nowadays aren't as easy to hook on your subject matter. You have to be REEEEEEAAAAAAALLLLLY Savvy to get and keep their attention.

Best of luck!

Answer 6

My advice to you is:

1) Look into picking up a vocational certificate from industry. This way you can go directly into teaching without having to go and get another bachelor's or master's degree to do so. You can check on your State's OSPI website for more information.

2) Determine what classes you want to teach. If you want to be a technology teacher as in computer technology, you need to get an endorsement in Business Education. If you want to do CAD/Drafting, you need to pick it up in industrial or agriculture education.

3) Be prepared to take a nice pay cut. At the same time, stock up because you are going to have all summer to lounge around drinking cold ones ;)

*edit* after reading some of the other responses, I need to emphasize that if you come from industry and are very skilled in your area, such as drafting/cad/etc. there is no reason you need to spend your entire summer writing curriculum. You write it once, spend your working days perfecting your techniques. There is no need to re-invent the wheel every year.

4) If you get a master's degree (after you pick up your teaching credentials) don't do what I did and get a masters in education. It is worthless for anything other than a pay raise. Pick a master's degree that could help you find another job if you don't like teaching, or one that would allow you to teach at a community college.

Hope this helps..

JB

Answer 7

Hi Chris,
Teaching is a wonderful profession if you enjoy learning. Throughout my career I had a variety of job experiences, students and challenges. I learned something new every day.
There will be bad days and tough times as there are in every job but the fact that teachers make a difference in the lives of their students is what makes the job so rewarding.
D&T is a great subject to teach because it offers students an opportunity to succeed at school outside the usual academic areas. At the same time, the academic skills are reinforced and required for success in D&T so it's a motivator all-round.
Practically speaking, be sure the school district you have in mind applying to does have D&T timetabled enough to result in job opportunities. (Unfortunately, in some school districts budget and lower enrolments lead to cuts in certain subject areas.)
Good luck and welcome to the profession!

Answer 8

I can only say, you have made an excellent decision to teach.It is a great profession to be in .I qualified as a T E F L Teacher in September 2006 it was one of the best decisions of my life.Best of luck.Look for on-line courses on the web!

Answer 9

Teaching is good choice and a difficult one to accomplish. It is a mixture of techniques and pedagogy, so, learn all the basic of teaching. you can be good in your content but you need to plan for a medium and strategy that could best capture your students attention and also helps you to make simple theories that seems very complicated to students. It would also be good if you try to get to know the interest of your students so you could drive your topic on your students interest thereby making your lessons a bit more attractive to them. since you've chosen to teach... you need also to be very patient............ prepare your lessons well and be ready for great interactions with your students. I wish for you a happy and fulfilling career in teaching. bonnèe courage

Answer 10

I teach and it can be a wonderful oppurtunity if you have an administration that supports your ideas. I've been in several school districts who just seem to pass the kids through the cracks to make themselves look good. If you want to become a teacher, please go make a difference, it will be hard yet rewarding.