TheApple

If you're thinking about becoming a teacher, introduce yourself here.

Hi, my name is Jackie and I'm starting my program to become an elementary school teacher today! I am also minoring in Science.  I, too, am open to any advice any teachers are willing to give! Thank you.

I want to teach, but i am not sure what I would like to teach, or at which level i would like to teach at. Can anyone help  me to figure these things out?

Hi, My name is Shayna and I am working on receiving my Bachelor's Degree in Human Development next year. I definitely want to become an Elementary school teacher.

Hey there everyone!! My name is JoAnna and I am currently in school finishing up my second degree - which is a Bachelors in Secondary Education with an emphasis on Mathematics. I will be a great high school math teacher!! I am sooo excited and can not wait until I start. I've always had a passion for people which left the possibilities for careers endless - but I've found my niche - children and cakes. I am a certified Chef as well so it's always fun and sweet in my area!! God bless!

Hi everyone, my name is Melissa and I am a freshman majoring in Integrated Language Arts Specialization.  This basically means that I will be an accredited Language Arts teacher for grades 7-12, but what I really want to teach is English Literature grades 7 and 8.  This, however, will be very unlikely since most schools do not have such a class in middle school but o well hopefully I will find a job somewhere like that.  I would love any advice that any experienced teacher could give me to help me be the best educator that I can be.  

hi my name is Laura. I live in South Carolina, and I am taking online courses through Kaplan University out of Florida.

I am in the Arts and Science of IS with emphasis ont he area of Educational PAraprofessional.

I am in my second term at Kaplan, and will be beginning the 3rd term in November.

I have been asked to take Honors courses since my GPA qualified me for the Honors courses.

Hello to all of the teachers and prospective teachers out there!

 My name is Nicholas and at the moment I am currently attending Cal State Fullerton where I have declared myself as an English major, but just recently added another year of schooling by declaring Philosophy as my second major. I was hoping, like all the post before me, that I could get pointed in the right direction in terms of getting experience before actually entering the credential program. Really, any information you may feel will be beneficial for me to have will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi, I'm transitioning into a teaching career... I'm extremely concerned about not having a job when I get out because CA has such a tight job market right now and education is the first to go on the states budget.  Any advice on how to beat the market would be greatly appreciated.

PlatonicZombie says ...

Hello to all of the teachers and prospective teachers out there!

 My name is Nicholas and at the moment I am currently attending Cal State Fullerton where I have declared myself as an English major, but just recently added another year of schooling by declaring Philosophy as my second major. I was hoping, like all the post before me, that I could get pointed in the right direction in terms of getting experience before actually entering the credential program. Really, any information you may feel will be beneficial for me to have will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Nicholas,

I know many districts have job opprotunities to work part time as an aide inside a classroom.  Perhaps try checking district websites in areas near by for jobs.  When I was attending LB State, I worked as a college aide (aka Teacher's Aide) with Long Beach Unified School District.  The experiences I gained from being an aide was what made me in wanting to be a Teacher.  Hope that helps a little bit.

Hi, my name is Cara.  I am starting my practicum in a week and will graduate in May 2009 with my MAT and am certified in English for grades 5-12.  I am open t any advice for new teachers.  Right now I am nervous about my practicum but the teacher I will be with is great.

Hello!  I am currently enrolled in a Masters of Secondary Education program which I will complete Fall 2009.  I am an older student--I received my BAAS in English 10 years ago!  During my practicums, I have come to realize that classroom management will be the toughest obstacle for me.  Because I have been a mom for half of my life, it is hard for me to turn that off in the classroom and teach, not nuture.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Tanya.

Hi, my name is Symone Stout, and I want to be a 6th grade teacher.  I started working towards that this last year.  I am open to any help!!

Hello to all you prospective teachers out there!  I was a public school teacher for 13+ years.  And, yes, I do have advice for you 'newbies' and 'wannabes' because I remember thinking, "Hey, no one told me about this part when I was in school!"   So, here are someof the 'less lovely' parts of being a teacher that you should know about:

     *  You'll end up waiting in long lines just to make photo-copies, and the schools treat paper products like they were gold ~ you will end up trading a ream of paper for more erasers and pencils, etc.

    *  For the first few years you'll be toting home student papers to correct and add into your record book...while you'll see the other, more advanced, teachers carrying nothing home with them at all... how do they manage that?  (you'll figure that one out over time)

    *  The ability to plan-in-advance will become your best asset...there are tons of "going through channels" type paperwork to fill out for everything additional you wish to do with your students (ie. field trips, in-class visitors, outside programs, etc)

    *  Parents will be your best allies, or your worst enemies > you decide.   It all depends upon how you are able to interact with respect and accept criticism with grace.  In a way, once you become their child's teacher you become their's too... I advise you to keep an "open door" policy and invite them into your classroom... it is likely they won't come, but knowing you want and welcome them goes a long way toward keeping the channels of communication open.

    *  Do not become too idealistic about your school principals... if you go into teaching thinking that the principal is on your side, there to help guide you through the channels and smooth your path, then you will be disappointed.   Also, with regard to "in class discipline" problems: handle them as well as you can by yourself (better yet, turn to your fellow teachers) because if you trun to the principal he/she may think you are not capable, strong, or a good leader and that impression can bite you when it comes time for your review.   (I have had more than 20 school principals to please, and of that number only 2 of them actually helped and supported their teachers.  I could go on about this, and I will, if you ask.)

    *  So much of your regular daily activities will involve "paperwork", I hope you will remember that your students have many different learning-styles, and the activities they will remember most are the ones that are "hands-on".   You can teach them to "think" through problems in any subject matter by requiring that they "think"... give lots of open-ended questions, and have the patience to wait for them to figure it out... it may take them a while, but it is good brain exercise!

I am going to stop here.  I don't want to discourage anyone from this profession.  I just think you should be aware that the realities of becoming a teacher are different from  the dreams we have of it... I think it requires tenacity, self-discipline, diplomacy and an un-ending supply of patience and compassion.  I suggest you put yourself into the classroom as often as possible during your college-training years because what they are teaching you in the college-classroom are only the academics.   Becoming a truly good teacher has as much to do with your own personality-type as it does with "training".  Loving the kids is not enough ~ though, you will love them.  (smile)

Hi Everyone,

I am Nicole and I am studying to be a preschool teacher.  I have just started this year getting my education.  I live in Northeastern PA.  I am looking forward to all the help I will get from this website.  Thank you