Aspiring Teacher: Which Specialty to Choose

[Jsphrsa]

Aspiring teacher needs feedback on age category or specialty in education that would complement an older individual's desire for a career change. Have temperate personality and very flexible, but would rather not go into area of teaching that tests the mettle of a human experience.

In other words, which area and/or specialty would members believe gets the most respect from kids or least hassles from parents/bureaucrats alike? Have heard of various age categories and/or specialties one should avoid, or gravitate towards, but need opinions to make an informed decision.

Thanks for any feedback.

-Joe

[SS Rocks!]

I do not intend to criticize, but this is perhaps not the best way to make the decision. Rather than picking an area that is perceived as highly-respected or distant from bureaucracy, one should pick something that they have a passion (or at least a very strong liking) for.

Students do not give respect based on a content area or grade level. They give respect based on the type of person a teacher is and the way they are treated. If teachers make their expectations clear and treat students fairly, they are more likely to earn students' respect than if a teacher goes into a classroom and screams at the students to behave.

I think any grade level or content area has involvement from parents and some sort of bureaucratic process or pressure. Areas that have state assessments are constantly under pressure. Any location where parents care about their child's education will have parental involvement (for better or worse).

If the goal is to avoid stress, parents, and get instinctive respect from students, education is not the right field to be in.

[hweber]

Well stated SS Rocks. If you are looking for a career change that is easy, and does not involve politics or drama, education is not the place for you. On the other hand, if there is an are that you are passionate about, research that and see if that is a viable field for teaching. Your passion and enthusiasm will lead to respect from both administration and client.

[Jsphrsa]

Dear SS:

Great answer. The next obvious question would be how to go about finding one's passion within education and pursuing it.

The most logical step would be to ask another person who found "it" and be inquisitive. I realize education is a very expansive and complicated field, so, any advice or words of wisdom would be welcomed.

So, SS, how did you find your passion for your particular niche in education?

Thanks.

[SiobhanMarie]

I'm interested in hearing your answer too, actually! I know that I have an interest in working with kids and play and drama and creative arts, however I wouldn't be sure until I was there doing it, which can be a long process if you're not certain...

[MissNinja]

Rather than picking an area that is perceived as highly-respected or distant from bureaucracy, one should pick something that they have a passion (or at least a very strong liking) for.

I agree! Passion is very important! I really enjoy teaching math because lesson plans are much easier to prepare. Plus, I believe I can put myself in the students' seats and know where they will make a mistake or find difficulty in understanding. That's why I enjoy it so much.

However, if you're asking about passion, I am passionate about ELA, specifically literature! I love the discussions we have about a particular character or an author's motive. I've seen kids who doodle in math come alive during English because literature is really about universal ideas and themes about life, regardless of whether the book is a classic or if it was just published last year.

Of course, ELA is more work, in my opinion, but it is the one I enjoy because this is where I can let my personality out and be wacky with the students. I've had students who really did not want to read books because of the titles or covers, but if I am passionate about it, telling them that I really enjoyed reading it, and make parts of the story come alive, then they will hopefully come to love it too! If that doesn't happen, at least they will respect that I love it :)

[Teach Compassion]

I'd have to say creative writing teacher at elementary level, but I may be a tad bit prejudice on the subject.
Cheers, nevertheless!

[SS Rocks!]

Dear SS:

Great answer. The next obvious question would be how to go about finding one's passion within education and pursuing it.

The most logical step would be to ask another person who found "it" and be inquisitive. I realize education is a very expansive and complicated field, so, any advice or words of wisdom would be welcomed.

So, SS, how did you find your passion for your particular niche in education?

Thanks.

I apologize in advance for my lengthy response.

As far as a content area, I have always been fascinated with history. When I pick up a book, it's usually something dealing with history. When I turn on the TV, I search for documentaries. Even though this was my passion, when I started college I tried to get a certification to teach mathematics because it's easier to get a job as a math teacher. Social studies teachers are "a dime a dozen" as I have been told many times.

Big mistake. I did not enjoy mathematics. I was pretty good at it, but it wasn't fun. I switched back to social studies and enjoyed the remainder of my college program.

As far as educating children (or adolescents), teaching is more about enjoying working with students than it is about having a passion for a content area. Teaching can be very frustrating, tiring, and stressful. Dealing with some students' aggravating behaviors, seeing the horrible lives some students are forced to live, dealing with some parents that believe their student can do no wrong, being seen as the "bad guy" because a parent believes their student's story over the teachers, not receiving respect from some students, parents, and community members that do not understand everything that teachers do, spending my own money for things my school will not buy for me, being forced to comply with school policy when you know it may not be the best for students, and keeping up with planning, grading and paperwork are the bad parts about teaching that come with the territory.

All of this, at least for me, is overshadowed by the enjoyment I receive from interacting with my students (sixth graders), seeing their faces when I tell them a story about something that occurred in the ancient past, answering their questions about history, watching their cognitive development throughout the course of the school year, observing how they improve their reading and writing skills throughout the year, seeing how much they enjoy many of the lessons I have invested time in preparing, helping them complete projects they thought would be impossible to complete, building strong yet professional relationships with students, and having former students come back to visit.

Without the joy I get out of working with my students, there is no way I could enjoy teaching. I know teachers that do not get as much enjoyment out of teaching. They have a passion for a content area, but they do not have a passion for working with students. These teachers do not enjoy their jobs and complain about students constantly rather than trying to help them.

The first step in pursuing a career in education is finding an approximate age range that you would enjoy working with. I do not care for working with small children in large numbers so teaching elementary school would be a mistake for me. I do enjoy working with kids over ten so I had an interest in teaching either middle school (which I currently teach) or high school. The second step would be to decide on an academic area to focus on. It should be an area that you enjoy. Enjoying a specific content area will help to transfer that enjoyment to the students. I am currently teaching social studies and math (because my school was desperate for someone to teach one math class). My passion for social studies is clearly evident however I find it somewhat challenging to translate that same passion to my math class.

Whatever your decision is, I wish you the best of luck in making it.

[Jsphrsa]

Dear SS,

The content length was welcomed and provided invaluable insight about the realities about the teaching profession (thank you) in addition to finding passion.

I especially enjoyed your personal antidotes the satisfaction you derive within teaching that as you suggest, far outweigh the negatives. But every profession has to deal then downside that comes in various forms depending upon the ones work environment.

You really sold me on the positives of teaching, which can far exceed the downside.

Thanks,
Joe

[SS Rocks!]

Best wishes to you! :)

[charlalei]

I'm new here and not a teacher yet but I'll share my story.

I have worked as a biologist for years but always felt like I wasn't quite in my niche (pun intended). I have always had a strong pull towards teenage girls. I believe in mentoring and supporting this age group because they are SO full of potential and yet it seems like society really stacks the deck against them.

I tried mentoring programs and tutoring to feel like I was helping young girls become strong women and I enjoyed my experiences so much. I had considered going back to school to do adolescent therapy or teaching but as a single mom, just couldn't figure out how to make it work.

My daughter just started kindergarten this fall and I went back to school too! I'll have three semester of light coursework and then a semester of student teaching and then I'll be a teacher!