Questions for the teachers at Brewerfan.net

[Oldcity]

Just looking for a little advice, if you don't mind.

 

I am a recent college grad. I currently have an entry-level job in marketing that I'm not all that crazy about. I realize it's entry-level and it would get better, but I am pretty convinced that I don't want a career in the field. I am the guy who is last among his friends to decide what he wants to do.

 

Within only the last month or so, I've thought seriously about teaching English at the high school level. At first it was a passing thought, but the more I thought about it the more I thought I wanted to and would be capable of teaching. Some of my reasons for thinking so: I am a strong writer, I excelled at and enjoyed several college English courses, I like working with kids (although I haven't done so extensively) and I would enjoy coaching or overseeing a school newspaper.

 

It almost makes too much sense, but at the same time it's really goofy. I mean, what teacher realizes for the first time that he/she wants to teach around age 23?

 

I'm trying to approach this with caution since it's sort of out of nowhere. I am still paying my student loans from undergrad, so I want to be sure before I start taking out more. I know there are some teachers on this board, so I just have a few questions for you:

 

When did you realize you wanted to teach?

Why do you like teaching?

Where did you go to school for education?

Do you have any recommendations for me in the Milwaukee area? I am hardly into the process, but so far I've really only looked into Alverno (I have a friend who is currently in their Masters of Ed program).

Anything else to add?

 

Thanks in advance!

[InsomniacInkRoss]

can i have your marketing job?

 

my girlfriend is 26 and pondering a move to teaching, so you are not alone in that respect

[igor67]

I started my licensure program when I was 26. I had thought about it after I graduated college but was convinced to try something else first.

I love being able to share my passion for science.

I encourage you to try and swing some kind of volunteer opportunity in a school first. A lot of people like the idea of teaching and then find out that managing students is not something they signed up for, but it's a huge part of the job. You also need to expect your first couple of years to be rocky. It takes some practice to get things right.

[razzzorsharp]

When did you realize you wanted to teach? In Middle School.

Why do you like teaching? I enjoy working with kids and like a laid back atmoshphere.

Where did you go to school for education? UWGB for my Elementary Education degree and Marian for my Masters in Technology.

Do you have any recommendations for me in the Milwaukee area? I am hardly into the process, but so far I've really only looked into Alverno (I have a friend who is currently in their Masters of Ed program). Consider where you would like to teach prior to doing you student teaching because that is the biggest "in" you will have. I did my student teaching in a town where I didn't care to teach and had to wait a year before I got a job.

Anything else to add? Keep in mind that it is not as easy as wanting to teach getting a degree and then getting a job. With the educational cuts nowadays its pretty tough to get a job yet alone one that you would consider ideal. Also, teaching is not just teaching anymore. More and more, politics is running rampant in the schools and your curriculum and freedom will suffer because of it.

[DHonks]

I went to college with the goal of graduating in 4 years. Started out thinking Chemistry with a History minor. Wound up graduating in 4 years with majors in History and Economics, along with a few Chem classes. So I accomplished the 4 year goal.

 

I'd thought a bit about teaching in High School, but I also knew that I didn't want to commit to it in college, since I'd known a lot of people that were in education, but got to their junior year and changed their mind, winding up in college for 6 years. So I subbed at a high school when I was 22/23. Then I began working on a certification program that culminated in my student teaching in spring '07, and I landed my first job last July. I'm 27 now, teaching middle school, and I'm glad I wasn't teaching fulltime at a younger age, as I can see why some get burned out.

 

As for you, you should be able to land a teaching job unless you live in the Milwaukee area. If you live there, it's tough unless it's MPS. I'm in Arizona, and we have a ton of growth and new schools. But budget cuts due to lower than anticipated tax revenues (mainly from home building) are limiting new hires a bit. Still, it's supposedly better than in most states.

[hawing]

It almost makes too much sense, but at the same time it's really goofy. I mean, what teacher realizes for the first time that he/she wants to teach around age 23?

 

I am not a teacher and so can't address your post directly; but I don't think 23 is anywhere near "too late" to be realizing anything for the first time. So please don't think that makes you goofy.

(I can't speak for the rest of your life, of course. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif )

[Oldcity]

I don't necessarily think 23 is too late to be realizing something, but I thought teaching might be an exception. I guess I was under the impression that teaching is something most people knew they wanted to do from a pretty early age.

 

A couple posts mentioned substitute teaching/volunteering. I believe you do not need certification to be a sub; is that correct?

 

As far as getting a job, a few of my friends in the profession have told me that there are not many male English teachers, which could work to my advantage. Not sure, though.

[Brewtacular]

I would really recommend what I did after college. I worked for 3 years in Japan as an English teacher on the JET Programme. The pay is very good, you dont pay taxes in either country, and I didnt pay rent. JET is basically the best of the English teaching programs in Asia because it is run by the Japanese Government. They do screen, you do have to interview in at the Embassy, and the paperwork takes a while but I would highly recommend it.

 

If you would like more details let me know.

[stoutdude04]

When did you realize you wanted to teach? Junior year in High School

Why do you like teaching? I love being with the children and have been working with them for years.

Where did you go to school for education? Stout

Do you have any recommendations for me in the Milwaukee area? I am hardly into the process, but so far I've really only looked into Alverno (I have a friend who is currently in their Masters of Ed program). See razzzzzzzzzzzor

Anything else to add? See razzzzzzzzzzzzor, you really do have to passionate about it. I just finished my 1st student teaching stint...I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. It definatly made it more difficult. It does require a lot of work in the off time.

[NeedMoreFans]

When did you realize you wanted to teach? Junior year of college

Why do you like teaching? I'm a sub, so I'm not sure if I'm qualified to answer this question

Where did you go to school for education? UW-Milwaukee, post-baccalaureate program (I have my BA in history, wanted to get certified without getting a degree).

Do you have any recommendations for me in the Milwaukee area? UWM, definitely. You get in-state/undergrad tuition. There aren't tons of requirements, either. Plan on it taking 3-4 semesters if you go full time, along with some summer courses.

Anything else to add? Sadly, you are thinking of going into one of two subject areas that are saturated with teachers, Social Studies being the other one (I should know, I'm a Social Studies guy), though there are less English people looking for jobs than Social Studies. If you do English, try specializing in reading, ESL or something. Also, consider getting dual certified, in English and Special Ed (if you really want to get a job). Regarding your question about subbing and being certified...it depends on the district. I sub in Madison, and you must be certified to be a sub in Madison. One other thing...student teaching is full time, but you have to pay full-time tuition to do it, you don't get a dime. If you go through the program at UWM, they try to put you through MPS to student teach. When I was going through the program, there were more of us than there were student teaching positions available in MPS, so we were allowed to seek out our own or were assigned outside MPS. I was at Pius (I knew someone there), and knew people who were were assigned to West Allis, New Berlin, etc...

[molitor fan]

At the age of 34, in January of 05 I went back to school at Marian, and received my certification in El. Ed. in June of 2006. Though told by relatives and Marian that I would be able to find a position - due to being a male, largely, I have been long term subbing for the last two school years. I live in the Fox cities, and in this area there are 350 applicants for every one position. Most districts in this area are cutting positions, with Appleton cutting 34 teachers last month for the next school year. Teaching is a great profession, and Wisconsin is a great state to be a teacher, but finding a position is very difficult at most levels.

[pogokat]

When did you realize you wanted to teach?

 

Junior year of college, when i realized i didn't want to be a journalist

 

Why do you like teaching?

 

im surrounded by learning...it keeps me on my toes and it is absolutely never boring

 

Where did you go to school for education?

 

university of georgia for an undergrad in english and geography and UNC- Greensboro for a masters in English with licensure

 

Do you have any recommendations for me in the Milwaukee area? I am hardly into the process, but so far I've really only looked into Alverno (I have a friend who is currently in their Masters of Ed program).

 

nope

 

Anything else to add?

 

teaching is incredibly rewarding, but its hard as hell and you will be surrounded by people that hate their jobs---watch any more about triumph in school (dangerous minds, freedom writers, etc...) thats exactly what its not like...however, it is a ton of fun...so long as you maintain high expectations and your own integrity

 

Thanks in advance!

[brewcrewreview]

When did you realize you wanted to teach? After my fourth year coaching grade school football.

Why do you like teaching? I like working with kids and watching them grow as individuals. I like the relationships that continue to grow when they come back to visit and/or ask for help. I like being a positive influence in their lives, especially those who have absentee fathers. I like the steady hours, summers off, and great benefits as well.

Where did you go to school for education? UW-Milwaukee.

Do you have any recommendations for me in the Milwaukee area? UWM.

Anything else to add? You are definitely not to late to start. Our student teacher in gym just turned 30, and he seems like he will be an excellent teacher. If you have any other questions and/or thoughts, feel post to post them or drop them in my inbox. I'll be more than happy to help you out.

[GAME05]

all i could add is definitely talk to as many teachers as you can about the work and even sit in on some classes if you can beforehand.

 

i'm kind of one of those failed teachers. I went for English 6-12. i got straight As in my core courses, yet wasn't prepared in any way for student teaching. it was up at 6 to finish up the day's work, skip breakfast, skip lunch, home at 6:30, dinner, then work until 2 am. still, it seemed like i never got caught up with the work i had to do. took Friday night off, but worked all of Saturday and Sunday. it was just too much. the stress led me to hate the work, do poorly, and my consequently my supervising teachers weren't that sad to see me leave, either.

 

i got caught up in the ideology of my professors and thought it would be different. plus i hate to think of taking out a student loan and then trying to pay it off with a job that pays $28K a year.

 

call me negative, i know.

 

ever thought about editorial work? that's what i do now. that might also fit the sort of thing you're looking for. it can be fun work, but then i also wouldn't completely fill you with sunshine for that industry, either.

[craigharmann]

I wanted to be a teacher since I was in 5th grade, but wanted to teach in private schools. Went to college, got my degree and taught for 1 year. Taught HS music and religion. I enjoyed it, but it's a long, strange story, but basically my contract wasn't renewed, if you will. There's more to it than that. Anyway, since then I've been a church musician, and have used my education training to good use, I think. But talk to as many teachers about it and the suggestion of volunteering in classrooms, if you can, is a great one.

[Bikeage77]

Keep in mind that it is not as easy as wanting to teach getting a degree and then getting a job. With the educational cuts nowadays its pretty tough to get a job yet alone one that you would consider ideal. Also, teaching is not just teaching anymore. More and more, politics is running rampant in the schools and your curriculum and freedom will suffer because of it.

I wish my dad and relatives read this board and saw this post...I've been looking for a job for the past 3 years, I subbed for 2 years to get my foot in the door, and had a few interviews which was promising, but I gave up looking last year and am now looking again for spring. Math too. I thought I'd be able to get a job immediately, but not the case

[hammytime]

If you are truly passionate about any career, there is no age limit. I agree with some of the previous posts--if you can, spend time with teachers, maybe as a guest for the day kind of thing. Keep in mind that what you see during your visit won't necessarily be what you would see on a daily basis.

 

Be prepared to move, maybe even out of state, to find a job, should you move forward with this. I was born and raised in the Fox Cities, but I applied throughout Wisconsin and out of state. I spent a year as a sub, and was getting ready for a second year of subbing, when I received a call from Arizona. I've been here ever since (14 years). I would still like to move back some day, but I'm realistic enough to know that may never happen. However, I've been very lucky. For the most part, I've enjoyed my time here, mostly because I enjoy teaching.

 

Whatever you decide, remember there will be good days and bad. But if you enjoy it, the good will outweigh the bad. Good Luck!

[GAME05]

i don't totally remember the way it works in Wisconsin anymore, but is it an option to get an emergency teaching license? that way maybe you could teach on a probationary basis and take classes at the same time. might give you an idea of what teaching is like, but yet you wouldn't quite be going for broke by making it a little easier financially to back out.

 

and if not in Wisconsin, to just leave the state for a year or so and get an emergency teaching license in another state. i'd thought California was hurting for teachers.

[NeedMoreFans]

i don't totally remember the way it works in Wisconsin anymore, but is it an option to get an emergency teaching license?

Yes and no. The school district has to request that you get an emergency license. If you are applying for a critical shortage area, such as ESL or Special Ed, and are enrolled or planning on enrolling in a certification program, a school district can request that you be granted a provisional license. I think, however, they have to prove to the DPI that there were no suitable licensed teachers to fill that position. So the district is awarded the license, which they make you pay for. I'm actually going to try this route for Special Ed. I think I'm going to enroll in a certification program this summer, apply for jobs, and be certified by next spring.

 

Also, if you get a job in a critical shortage area, and keep it for 5 years, I think student loans are forgiven.

[Oldcity]

Hmm. Definitely some great advice from everyone; I'm glad I asked. I definitely have things to consider. To generalize, it seems very tough to get started and get a job, but pretty rewarding once you get there.

 

I prefer to stay in Wisconsin, so that would be somewhat of a factor.

 

I have considered journalism/editing. I haven't been actively looking recently, but it's in the back of my mind. I was an editor for my school newspaper and loved it, but a "real" position in that field might not be right for me. I'm not sure that I'd want to start as small as I'd need to get somewhere in that line of work.

 

One last question. Alverno offers a Master's degree in education that would probably take no more than one semester longer than just a teaching certification. How much more beneficial, if any, would a Master's be in terms of getting me hired, even with no teaching experience?

 

And InsomnianInkRoss, I can let you know if I leave my current job.

 

Thanks for all the responses. They were extremely helpful.