Seriously though, when I started college the plan was to become a history teacher, then life got in the way and now I'm a SAHM. I'm 12 to 14 classes from a degree with a secondary teaching certification, and I'm reeeaalllyyy considering going back to school. I just feel like I'm always hearing horror stories of what it's like to be a teacher. So really give it to me strait, the good, bad, ugly. Is it worth it? Do I want to go back to school? When DS starts kindergarten I will be finding me a career, and since I'm already over halfway there...
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So funny that you post this because I was feeling super emotional today because I'm a year out from graduation and writing all the important dates in my calendar and I'm becoming a teacher! So I can't speak on how it is to be a teacher full time just yet, but I can speak on the struggles of being a student while being a mom. I can't begin to explain the amazing feeling of satisfaction that I am KILLING it in school while being a full time employee, wife, and mom of 2!! If it's your passion, it'll be more than worth it! Best of luck!
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@bubblegum: your response made me smile. Good for you!!
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Teaching totally isn't my passion. I teach in a high school in NYC.
The first year is ridiculously hard! It gets way easier after. It's all about setting up systems for yourself.
The experience is also going to depend on your administration. If they are supportive it will be much easier.
Once your kids are school age it is nice to have the same schedule.
In NYC teachers make very nice salaries which is a huge plus.
There can be a lot of work to do at home BUT there doesn't have to be. If you are disciplined and efficient you can get it all done during prep periods and lunch during the day.
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I will bite:
I teach 4th grade math in an inner city charter school. I LOVE my school and adore my job. I have taught in 3 different countries. I have taught middle school and elementary. I am guessing you'd go into high school. If so, take this with a grain of salt.I love the relationships I develop with my students and that I could have a difference in the long run on their lives. I love education theory and love that I am constantly learning. I work with an amazing team, which has a huge impact on my quality of life, but this is obviously dependent on your team.
I am not paid well. I am the breadwinner and we can barely scrape by. We have had to move in with my in laws while DH is between jobs because we cannot make it on my salary alone. A lot of the salary averages that are often shared don't reflect just how low teachers are paid in some states and circumstances. It makes me mad and frustrated that as an experienced teacher with a Masters degree, I can't support a family of 3, but that is my reality. (Part of this is due to student loans).
I love the amount of time I get to spend with DD during non-teaching times. I find the schedule to be pretty family friendly. During the school year I work a lot though - definitely more than a standard 9-5.
Another con is that frankly, teachers are often used as a scapegoat, and our workloads are often higher with busywork int he name of "accountability". It is frustrating and tiresome. If we complain about it, we aren't seen as professionally, but are framed as lazy and trying not to be held accountable. You kind of get used to this and carry on. It is about the students and you serve them in spite of this.
The testing is also developmentally inappropriate and awful. It isn't going anywhere anytime soon though.ETA: I wrote this before my morning coffee. It came across as overly negative. My job satisfaction in my current job is higher than I have ever had before. I feel so incredibly fulfilled by my job.
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I taught high school social studies for several years. I'm staying home for probably one more year but the plan is to go back.
I taught in a horribly corrupt and disfuncrional school district in a very poor city (by choice) so my experience is definitely not the norm. (If you are teaching in a similar school feel free to ask questions because there is A LOT of advice for that particular circumstance)
On a more general note I agree with that's mentioned. Sadly, a lot can depend on the administration and school culture. The first year is the hardest, spend a lot of time thinking through your process for staying organized, grading, lesson planning etc because that can make or break how much work you bring home.
Good luck! I loved teaching high schoolers. -
If you like ongoing intellectual challenge and enjoy working with parents and children, especially the age group you are training to work with, this could be for you! I worked over 60 hours a week my first few years to hone my craft. It was worth it. I love my career. After a few more years, I thought about quitting, but that lasted a week and I got out of that funk by writing a WHY I am Teaching essay for myself. I also started to seek more challenges outside of the classroom every few years. I work 7:30-3:00pm with no outside work, except my passion projects.
Think about who you want to help and why. That might direct you toward your ideal career.
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I'm a high school English teacher, though I'm currently halfway through an extended, year-long maternity leave.
I love what I do, but the burn out rate is high and I can understand it. There are a lot of hoops to jump through that add little value to your students' actual education and it can be frustrating. And that's in a school like mine, where we have a fairly supportive and hands-off administration.
It is GREAT to work on a school year schedule. I can do professional development and continuing education in the summer if I choose, but I don't have to and it's fortunate to avoid some of the childcare struggles that come with a school aged child.
Pay and overall compensation vary wildly. I think I'm paid just fine, but that's not true across the board. Some public school districts pay A LOT less than mine; private and charter schools are a whole other situation. I could also make a lot more in a public school closer to my home. (I'm talking $10,000/year more...so it's a significant swing.).
It gets easier after the first few years, but that first year especially is a killer. It is HARD to get started and organized as a teacher and it takes time to develop the systems and strategies you need to succeed.
That said, there is a lot that's really fun about teaching. I teach a combo of remedial English/reading and a senior-year writing class so I have a lot of variety in my courses. I love teaching writing, even though it comes with a nightmare load of grading. Kids really appreciate having teachers who love what they do and love sharing that with students -- honestly, even my "worst" kids get a kick out of it (at least sometimes).
Teaching often feels like a performance to me -- you're on stage in front of an audience for most of the day -- and it is exhausting and truly demanding to balance with the needs of young children. At least for me. I've got needy kids at school and needy kids at home and a finite amount of energy and patience.
Sorry -- a lot of stream of consciousness here. I am not going back with my coworkers next week and having some mixed feelings about it
One thing to consider -- student teaching is a demanding 12-15 weeks during which you're working full-time and not getting paid. Just throwing that out there.
Also, if it's been a while since you were in school, I'd check to make sure that your state hasn't changed the requirements for the credential (and whether you're grandfathered in if they have).
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@arosebyany: I'm actually just about to go to my classroom to do some set up so I will respond later but I just wanted to quickly say that teaching is such a great job for parents! DH and I both teach and it's awesome. I still get several hours with my kiddo before he goes to bed.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Aww thank you so much!
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I love being a teacher. There is nothing like seeing a child grow both personally and academically throughout the year - the impact a teacher has is really endless and it is a responsibly I do not take lightly.
I love how every day is different and I never know what it will bring. I love getting to explore my own professional interests. It is truly a career where you are always learning.
The work-life balance can't be beat and I am so lucky to spend all summers, holidays, snow days, etc with my family.
I believe we are fairly compensated (though I think Canadian teacher salaries are higher than the US). I got my MEd as soon as I could which I'm glad I did.
Downside for me is that year to year I never know what I will be doing. I have a permanent position in my district, but my assignment, school, area could change depending on enrolment numbers (which in my area are declining). It's always stressful in the spring until I get official word as to what I will be doing for the following school year.
I've spent the last couple years as a literacy coach for my district and I absolutely love it. I sometimes miss having my own classroom but coaching other teachers and getting to work in so many different classrooms with so many different kids has been very rewarding in itself.
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I am an elementary teacher and I love my job. I really wouldn't want to do anything else. I love my schedule. I love my coworkers. I love working with my students. BUT, I DON'T love that I get paid 1/3 of what my DH does, even though I have a masters degree. It is a hard, exhausting job that is thankless and doesn't pay well. That said, I love doing what I do and would always encourage smart passionate people to become teachers.
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I've been a high school French teacher for 11 years.
I love my job but it is still a JOB to me. It is not like a life calling and I am not devoted to my work above all else.
It is an amazing life for a parent - teacher hours cannot be beat. I work from 7-3 most days but I can leave at 2:15 if I want. The summers off and vacations during the school year, I literally don't think I could give those up to do a different job.
Being a French teacher, my job is less stressful and testing-focused than many other teachers. I think you'd find the same as a History teacher.
I believe I make a really good salary for the amount I work. I have my Masters plus about to complete 45 credits beyond that (taking a break from classwork to write this post)! This is the only way left for me to get a real raise beyond 2% or so so I have been committed to climbing that ladder as fast as possible. As others have noted, this really varies based on where you teach. I teach in MA in a good school district that isn't even that highly paid compared to some others. There are many places that I do not think I would choose to work because what is paid is just not acceptable. I'm not all about the money but it is frankly shameful the way teachers are paid and treated in some places.
Sorry just tried to jot down as many of my thoughts about teaching as possible! Overall I am happy to go to work everyday and I let the BS associated with teaching roll off my back.
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@bubblegum:
@katsupgirl: @farawayyama: @justjules: @808love: @gilmoregirl: @Coral: @Charm54: @travellingbee: @petitenoisette: thank you ladies for your quick and sweet responses! It seems that the general consensus is it's hard, but potential worth it for several different reasons. I don't I didn't really state my reasoning before I asked for responses, so I wil now. What I'm looking for is a career, something I will mostly enjoy and that essentially has the hours of a teacher. I don't need to contribute to my family financially so this would be for my own self worth, and potentially make a difference in someone's life. I had a reaallly difficult childhood and there are a few teachers in my mind, who made a difference and got me through some tough times in my life. I've worked in retail most of my life and that is seriously like the bottom of the work chain barrel, so I feel like I'm fully prepared for how to deal with crazy people lol. I feel like I'm missing some fufillment in my life, and this may be what it is.
I've also already checked about the difference in the program from when I was in college to now and it hasn't changed much.
Forgot to add it would be JRhigh or HS, I am not good with little people
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Well I've discussed it with my husband and slept on it a few nights, and I have an apt. with a degree advisor on Monday. Looks like I'm going back to school! It looks like it will be quicker for me to do a degree in history and then do the alternate program for my certification. Does anybody have an experience with that in the state of Texas?
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@arosebyany: my advice to you is to only become a teacher if you really feel passionate about it. There are many obstacles and challenges, and if you don't truely enjoy teaching children, you might not be happy.
That said, I teach middle school and still love it 10 years in. I'm in a high performing district, which comes with its own challenges (extremely active parents, very high expectations, etc.)
Like others said, the first year is so hard due to having to create your own materials and just learning the ropes and politics of your school. Most schools have mentoring programs for new teachers, which is so helpful.
I love teaching and also love the schedule and having the summers with my children. Good luck!
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@arosebyany: Not a teacher but I randomly opened the thread and saw you were from Texas and have some advice. One of my roommates in college was from Texas, she got a BS in biology and then went through the Texas teachers program http://www.texasteachers.org/how-it-works/ and taught for 5 years before heading back to school for her mPH
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I've been teaching for 9 years. I haven't hit burn out yet, and don't anticipate it happening for quite some time. I adore the kids and love watching the growth they make through the school year. I teach elementary, so it's a different wheelhouse than you are thinking of entering, but seeing my kids who I started with now graduating is great. I am so proud of some of them and it makes the job very rewarding.
They pay isn't amazing. However, the work hours (summers off, no holidays) make up for it in my opinion. I would rather have less disposable income and more time to my family. However, I do really want a pontoon and realize we are a few years off. This makes me dream of a higher paying job at times -
@snarkybiochemist: thank you! This is what I was looking for!!
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Loving this thread. I start my teaching credential program in two weeks--it will be a bit of a career change.
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I agree with those that said only to do it if you are passionate about it. If you're looking for shorter hours, I'm not sure you'll find those as a middle or high school history teacher. There is typically a lot of planning and grading involved at that level for all of the core subjects (English, math, science, social studies).
I taught middle school social studies for three years, and am now a middle school reading teacher. I LOVE what I do and am passionate about it, but it is mentally exhausting. As a teacher you're always dealing with multiple situations at once; trying to engage the class while student A is having a meltdown, students B and C are fighting, etc. All of that leaves me mentally and physically drained at the end of the day, and going home and parenting is sometimes really hard.
That being said, there is nothing better than the connections you make as a teacher. My proudest moments come from when I've been contacted by former students who tell me I had an impact on them. Nothing compares to that.
If you think teaching is your passion, go for it. If not, I would strongly encourage you to reconsider. I know people who have gone into teaching for other reasons and they've all burned out quickly.
Think about who you want to help and why. That might direct you toward your ideal career.
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