Job Responsibilities
As a high school math teacher for under-achievers, I am
responsible for identifying At-Risk Students, setting up remedial
programs, writing curriculum, and teaching identified students to
successful completion of state graduation test. I spend
approximately 20 hours per year writing and rewriting
curriculum. It takes team work and some 20 to 30 man-hours to
identify about 50 at risk students per year for remediation. We
analyze past standardized test scores, current course placement
(and determine whether or not prerequisites for the state test
will have been met at test time), and teacher recommendations.
Once students have been identified, counselors take over the job
of scheduling, while I write curriculum to fit the particular
group who we will be teaching during the current year. I need to
preview text books according to a rigorous test for content,
suitability, and practical application. This process takes place
over the summer when teachers are supposed to be "off"(and is as
often unpaid as paid, depending on the current budget situation.
I can't refuse to come to work just because I won't get paid.
The students depend on us). When the new school year starts, I
constantly scan web-sites, read current literature, and attend
conferences on everything from the newest brain research to the
best software. Much of this is done after school hours so that
instructional time is not compromised. A master teacher is
constantly looking to improve, to try to reach one more student,
to light a spark, to encourage an underachiever, or a non-
believer. The rewards are few, but when they come, they are awe
inspiring. Students occasionally return to say that you were the
only one who cared, or that you never let them get one over on
you, and while they hated it at the time, they appreciate it
now. Occasionally, you get a "Thank You". Once in awhile, a
student who was a royal pain, a nudge, a problem, will become a
teacher himself. And NOTHING compares to having such a student
say, "I became a teacher because of you."
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Job Requirements
Students who wish to become teachers must have at least a
Bachelor's degree in the field of choice, as well as required
education courses. They then must apply for certification in the
state or states of choice. Some states require a Master's Degree
to earn permanent teacher certification. Other states offer
alternative route to teaching certification for students who do
not have education courses. Courses include methodology (how to
teach a particular discipline), psychology, sociology, and
cognative developement. Educational psychology is a constantly
changing field and course work can be difficult. As a student
approaches graduation, he or she is required to first observe,
then practice teach. This is the make or break point for the
potential teacher. Druing the student teaching sememster,
students must not only teach at least 3 courses, but also
complete course work required for his or her degree. Without a
doubt, this is the most difficult part of becoming a teacher.
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Uppers
NOTHING beats the feeling that you have had a hand in shaping a future citizen.
Good teachers leave an indelible mark on their students. Sometimes, they even
let you know. It is truly one of the few careers that have "soul".
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Downers
Often, teaching is a thankless job. Parents, administrators,
state or federal mandates all tug at you in different
directions. Each has an agenda, and none recognize that you
truly want only to help each student to become an independent
thinker and a successful individual.
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Lifestyle
The job outlook for teachers is excellent. Older teachers are
retiring, and many students who formerly might have looked at
teaching (Read: FEMALE) as a career prospect, have begun to
enter more lucrative careers. The downside is that fully half of
all new teachers never make it to their third year. Teaching is
tough. It is demanding. You need to be optimistic, caring,
energetic, friendly, determined, and dedicated. It helps to have
a sense of humor. Leave your ego at the door, because students
will tell it like it is. Bad toupee? slip showing? crow's
feet? Roots showing? Shirt/tie not ironed? Any human error is
fodder for student derision. Take it with a grain of salt, or
fail.
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Compensation
Base salaries for teachers varies widely from state to state. In
the tri-state area, a beginning teacher can expect of earn about
$30,000 per year. Teachers are paid for experience, but
experience is often NOT transferable. It is quite possible to
teach for ten or more years in one district or in one state (and
earn a comfortable salary), and start at the bottom of the pay
scale if the teacher moves. There are NO bonuses, stock options,
or profit sharing. Benefits are generally good. Most school
districts realize that teachers (especially at the elementary
level) face more illness that the average mid-level manager.
Students sneeze on you, chew your pencils and hand them back,
fail to wash hands after a visit to the lavatory and then hug
you. As a result, a teacher can expect 10 paid sick days per
school year, and 2 to 4 personal days. Most teachers get full
benefits, without having to pay out of pocket. After three
years, many also get family coverage.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The job outlook for teachers is excellent. Older teachers are
retiring, and many students who formerly might have looked at
teaching (Read: FEMALE) as a career prospect, have begun to
enter more lucrative careers. The downside is that fully half of
all new teachers never make it to their third year. Teaching is
tough. It is demanding. You need to be optimistic, caring,
energetic, friendly, determined, and dedicated. It helps to have
a sense of humor. Leave your ego at the door, because students
will tell it like it is. Bad toupee? slip showing? crow's
feet? Roots showing? Shirt/tie not ironed? Any human error is
fodder for student derision. Take it with a grain of salt, or
fail.
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