Job Responsibilities
Currently I am an art teacher and yearbook advisor. I spend from
8:00 am in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon with
students. This includes my prep time and over my lunch period.
I have students constantly from the time I arrive at school until
after the bell rings at the end of the day. Students are in my
classroom working on art projects and yearbook pages whenever
they have free time which means I have students continually.
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Job Requirements
To acquire the position I am current in, one needs to have an
endorsement in art education. To achieve this endorsement is
relatively easy. The general teaching classes are required with
an emphasis in art. I also have a business background and a
business endorsement with a marketing emphasis. This helps with
my understanding of the yearbook. The two degrees combined are
more complicated to get. Managing to combine the workload of the
classes is a juggling act. It also took five years to complete
the two degrees and then student teaching took another semester.
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Uppers
Enjoying the art projects. Having fun with the construction of the yearbook.
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Downers
The downers are having no time for class preperation without
students in the classroom. There is no time to yourself. You
have to be continually answering questions and knowing the
answers.
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Lifestyle
In the environment of this school system the attire for dress is business
casual. There are days where nice blue jeans are worn because of the type of
medium that is being used within the classroom. The diversity of students is
strictly white. We are in a rural area with farm students. The social events
are limited to student functions especially athletic events. There are numerous
dances for students and other activities. Business travel is limited to the
specific area of teaching. Work hours are officially from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
with a 25 minute lunch and one prep period a day. It is not required but most
teachers work at least two or three extra-curricular activities that are paid.
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Compensation
Base salary for this position is $23000 for a first year teacher
with a BA. The pay increases per year and also per 15 hours of
class work that is done beyond the BA. The pay increases at
BA15, BA30, MA, and MA15. We are trying to get an increase to
MA30 and MA45 implemented this year. There are no bonuses in
teaching and no stock options. The benefits include an excellent
health insurance and dental insurance program. There is also a
life insurance policy along with the State of Iowa's IPERS
retirement program which is very good.
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Advice to Jobseekers
My advice to anyone interested in seeking an art teaching
position would be if you really love art and you really enjoy
kids then this is the position for you. You have to go into
teaching because you love kids, not because you feel you are
going to make lots of money. Teaching is not the field to go
into if you want to become a millionaire. Teaching is a
wonderful job if you have the patience and understanding.
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