I'm thinking about teaching!

[sara76]

I've been talking to my friend who teaches middle school and she's making me think I might finally decide to buckle dOwn and take these damn tests and look into finding a real job. I haven't decided on which grades or anything, but im leaning towards middle school. Wow. Am I too old to be starting this? I graduated from college in 99. Middle school students now weren't even born yet way back then!!

[surfbetty530]

I don't think you are too old. If it is really something you want to do, go for it!

[sara76]

I love hearing my friends who teach talk about their kids. And I love kids. I don't like a ton of parents though which is why I never was interested in teaching, at least in Florida. But now that I've become a parent I think I'm more tolerant if what assholes some can be . (myself included, try and criticize my parenting skills, I dare ya;)

[aegis2005]

You are not too old - says another 1999 college grad

[sara76]

Aegis, congrats on Tri #2!!!

[moonstone523]

Definitely not too old to get into it. I had a friends mom who went back to school in her 40's to become a teacher. Great profession for a momma with kiddos.

Did you get a degree in childhood education?

When I taught in Thailand, I taught 5&6th grade and 11th &12th. I much preferred the older kids because I could shoot straight with them, but that is just my personality. Of course they were some rebels, but I was too, so I get it. So they wanted to sleep in class because "there were sick" then they had to get their ass up and go to the nurses office. When I could "kick them out" they normally felt better all of a sudden and would participate.

[aidensmom]

I say go for it! You might just fall in love with it! Although I may be a little bias about it at the moment. Haha

[sara76]

Moon, my degree is a BA in English Literatue. I didn't realize this because I've never looked into it but apparently in FL that is enough. According to my girlfriend I just need to decide between taking either an elementary or 6-12 language arts test. Also I would need to take a general knowledge test and a professional development test. She said she will help me get ready for them. I don't know if it will work out and I don't even know if we will stay in the state long term, but in the meantime I think I'll start preparing for the tests and if it works out than awesome, and if not than what did I really hurt by trying. It's always nice to learn new things. I'm not thinking immediate, I'm thinking next year or the following. I haven't even decided if we will go for baby #2 yet so this is very much down the road. But it's still fun to think about

[sara76]

Aidensmom, you start Monday, right? Yayyy you!!!

[aidensmom]

I have been wanting to jump up and down all morning allready bc I'm so excited! Haha

About the tests you have to take, you shouldn't have any problem with the GK test. It was pretty basic. Good luck if youTPEdte

[aidensmom]

Ok sorry about the end of that post! I'm posting from my phone ands it messed up. But good luck if you do decide to take the tests!

[mrsshawanab]

My BA is in English as well. If you want to do secondary ed, you can become a teacher with a degree in one of the main subject areas and then just take your teaching certification tests. You can even get a temporary certificate without the tests. I went on to get my master's in education before teaching so I went a different route. I taught middle school for 4 years and now I teach at the high school level. This will be my 8th year teaching.. well, when I go back after my maternity leave. It is a very demanding job, even if you like kids, and there is not a lot of support out there from parents, the government, society in general.. but if you love teaching then that stuff doesn't really matter.
Oh and as far as being "too old"... my mom went back to college when she turned 48. She dropped out when she was 19 so she had a lot of random jobs when we were growing up like secretary, teacher's aide, etc. Decided after raising my brother and I and sending us off to college that she wanted to teach the babies, got her degree in early childhood ed, and has now been teaching kindergarten for the past 8 years. You are never too old to change your life.

[sara76]

Thanks for the insight! Shawna can you tell me the biggest differences between middle and high school? I've been told that middle school age kids are harder for whatever reason. I think I would like the subject matter better in high school but I'm a little intimidated that the smallest one is bigger than me, but that may be the same in a middle school.

Thinking of being intimidated leads me to one of my worries about teaching. My chest turns red and blotchy when I speak in public or get upset. I hate that I show my weakness like that and I would hate to wear full collared shirts every day. I could probably benefit from a public speaking class in the meantime.

[moonstone523]

You should join toastmasters to work on public speaking. And don't teachers get to dress super casual these days? My neighbor is a teacher, granted its kindergarten, but she sure as hell isnt wearing collarded shirts.

[sara76]

Yeah hell to the no on collared shirts, this is Florida yo! I just meant if I have to hide my blotchy chest with what I'm wearing I would have to dress like a nun.

[sara76]

Toastmasters is something I've always been interested in. And also intimidated by.

[moonstone523]

Aug 12, 2012 20:47:21 GMT -5 sara76 said:

Toastmasters is something I've always been interested in. And also intimidated by.

We should do it together.

[aidensmom]

I tured red and blotchy too when speaking in public! But that hasn't happened to me while teaching yet. But I also teach the little guys! I hope this stays true next Tuesday! But you get to know your students ands will ferl comfortable in the classroom eventually.

[mrsshawanab]

I do think teaching middle school is more stressful than high school, at least for me it was.
Middle schoolers are going through that horrible age.. puberty, hormones, etc. and their goal in life is to impress the other kids. Their priorities are totally out of wack. With high schoolers, for the most part, they know that whatever they do potentially could affect their future. Granted they still make bad decisions, but they are more aware of consequences.
It's really enjoyable to talk to high schoolers about college and jobs and their future. They appreciate someone taking notice or interest in that. Middle schoolers are like, college?! Who cares! They just aren't mentally at that state to think about their future.

This was just my experience with both settings. Obviously other people really love teaching middle school, but for me, high school is a lot more fulfilling. And for what it's worth, I'm 5 feet tall so I'm smaller than many of my students. But if you respect them and show them you care, they will respect you - especially the high school kids.

As for public speaking-- speaking to kids is SO different than speaking to adults. You will probably be totally fine. You have to remember, kids are just as nervous as you are in the beginning and then everyone gets comfortable and you are fine. I can't even tell you how many embarrassing things have happened to me while teaching and you just laugh it off and move on.

[melis74]

That's awesome! You are never too old to decide to do something different! After our 2nd failed IVF I had a little "I need to be in control of something crisis" and decided to go back to school for nursing. I have a BS in Business, so this is completely different. I got my LPN and am now taking classes at SPC towards my RN. You can do it!

[kimandross]

I have a friend/former coworker who is starting her first year of teaching this year. I'm pretty sure she graduated college in 99 or earlier, so you can definitely do it!

[amellis2]

I graduated about 3 years ago, so I am little more recent, but I will be seeking my M.S in Information Science in a year or so (when the girls are bigger) so that I can be a librarian. In the mean time IDK if I want to stay here with the GS (I love this job!) or if I want to get my certificate in Media Specialist/English for SDHC. You can do it!

[sara76]

Thanks for so much support girls!
Shawna thank you for the insight into the differences between the 2. I would never have really considered middle school except for my niece is about to start it and I see that even though the kids act like punks, deep down I do think they are just balls of nerves trying to act tough. But I totally get what you said about high school kids and that sounds more like they will appreciate you. It's just a little scary here in FL. The high school you teach at is the size of the town I grew up in. Lol! I wonder if I should start out by subbing. That's what my sister seems to think is the best idea for me. But she's a nurse.