Pros/cons of becoming a teacher

[packrat]

Last year over the summer I took Para Educator classes and was hired at our preschool to work as the para in the Special Education room. I've worked more physical jobs like packing house/manufacturing jobs, and then I'd had office jobs. I really enjoyed my first year, and we're back at it for this school year, working on the class room, getting ready for the kidlets.

For our accreditation, I have to have my CDA (Child Development Associate), so I've been working on that since school got out last Spring. JD's been (strongly) encouraging me to continue on and become a preschool teacher. His main reasoning is that I would get paid during the summer, and I'd make more in general.

We live in a small community. We have two preschool rooms, plus our Special Ed room. All three teachers are young, and I don't really see them moving or anything--and actually would be sad if they did, b/c they're my coworkers and I really like them. He says a lot could change in the years it takes me to finish school, and that's true.

I admit to being one of "those people" who always thought teachers started their day a few minutes before the students walked in and ended it a few minutes after the students left. No weekends/holidays, long summer break, that kinda thing, my oh my the luckiest people ever. So then I started working at the preschool, and my lead teacher was there every day 30 minutes before me, an hour and 15 minutes before the kids came. Sometimes she'd be there 3 hours after the kids left, or she'd take work home w/her and do it on the weekends. My first day last year, she said she'd already been working in the room every day for 2 weeks. I myself put in a lot of unpaid time last year. There is so much paperwork involved, all the assessments, computer work, holy moly!

This past summer really hurt us financially, w/me not working. This sparked another conversation the other day about continuing my education. I've no problem w/going back to school. But, I like what I do, where I'm at, being a para. I like the room I'm in, my lead teacher. I don't want to go back to school and end up working 50-60 hours a week during the school year, having longer days, working weekends/holidays, spring break, and times during the summer, so that my salary averaged out to hourly isn't that much greater than what I'm making now.

He insists that teachers have more time off than the average 8-5 M-F worker. I can't say that I totally believe that, after seeing how much the preschool teachers worked last year. I'm under the impression that you don't student teach in the district where you live or where you'll be working. The district won't hold your job while you're gone student teaching, so I would basically be quitting for that year or however long you student teach, and then crossing my fingers to get hired right away. So, I wouldn't be able to just come back to my para job until a preschool teaching job came open. I could sub for teachers.

I don't know really where I'm going with this thread/post. Kind of talking out loud, trying to gather my thoughts in a way. I would enjoy being a teacher, I think. But, I already enjoy what I'm doing w/kids, and I don't have to deal w/the stuff the lead teachers do. (not that we paras don't have crap we have to deal w/too of course )

I don't know how long it takes..4 years I'm guessing. I'd still be 43 in four years whether I went back to school or not, so there's no "I'm too old" argument! Not sure if my CDA counts toward it..would be nice if it did.

I do plan on talking w/the teachers at school about it, maybe even talking to our Principal as well.

I guess basically, if anyone wants to weigh in on what to do when you're unsure what to do??

 

[Rockdiamond]

I applaud you for what you do packrat.
I think that dedicated skilled teachers are among the most valuable members of our society- and HUGELY overlooked. Massively underpaid.
I hope you do go thorough with it- even though you'll be taking on more responsibility, you're probably going to make a great lead teacher- you sound passionate.

The only way any culture can flourish is by carefully choosing, and valuing the people who teach the children- they are our future.

 

[blingymo]

The bad .... and the good

I am a teacher. Some days I love it, and other days I can't wait to get out of it. It is getting harder and harder. Dealing with parents (we like to say we would love teaching in a Chinese orphanage) and kids who aren't motivated is hard. Paperwork is out of control, not only with regard to grading (I teach 5th - they write a lot more than lower grades and it takes a long time to grade papers), but with the extra records required by admin. You have to be observed, evaluated, take credits to keep being re-certified, serve on committees. I often work until 7pm at school now that my own children are grown; when I had children it was a juggling act to switch hats after school - luckily, I have a supportive husband with more flexible work hours. I usually spend spring break catching up on grading the never ending stack of papers or doing report cards. I have spent this whole summer reading historical fiction novels and developing book club guides that coordinate with my social studies curriculum. You get blamed for the kids that don't do well, even though all the other kids did fine. You have to have a thick skin ... I have shed many tears over my job.

However, on my 7-Eleven days (when I swear I will stop for an application on the way home), I get an attitude adjustment when I realize that I could not get another job with the summer off (mental health time!!!), where I made the same amount of money. My district pays relatively well. Teaching kids that want to learn is a joy. I love my teammates - we really enjoy working together, and that is one thing I am looking forward to when I go back next week. Some of the kids make you laugh, others make you want to take them home and love them. I learn something from my students every day!

So, like every other job, there are pros and cons, and you have to figure out what works best for your lifestyle. I started teaching so that my vacations would coincide with my kids' vacations. I know people that teach and then when they burn out, they switch to being paras until they can retire. You might want to think about elementary ed. rather than preschool - there will be more job opportunities.

 

[ksinger]

And isn't it just telling that there is a tacit assumption that teachers WILL burn out? It's not a career anymore, it's increasingly a revolving door of dilettantes (even the TFA'ers are not staying their allotted time anymore) and others who get the lay of the land and then cut and run. However, considering the baldly stated goals of some legislators to actually dismantle public education, this is not all that surprising.

Until we take an unflinching look at poverty in this country, and commit resources outside of the last-line band-aid that schools have become, to fighting it, the schools will continue to fail. We ask too much of them.

 

[zoebartlett]

I love teaching. It's a very tough market out there though, so finding a new position might not be easy. This could vary depending on what area of the country you're in, but I have a feeling it's like that no matter where you are.

When I first decided go back to school for my master's, I didn't have a teaching certification. I took classes for 2 years, 1 additional semester, and 2 summers to earn a masters and an elementary certification. I also did a full year (unpaid) internship as part of my graduate program. There's a ton of research to do, papers to write, projects to complete, etc. It was a ton of work but I loved it. I'm assuming you'll be going through an alternate certification program, but I wanted to give you an idea of what the process could possibly be like. To be honest, I'm not sure what alternate certification programs require, but it may involve putting together a portfolio that shows what you've done with the preschoolers you've worked with (artifacts) and includes written reflections. I'd recommend finding out what the process is like from your state's department of education. It'll probably be the credentialing department or something like that.

As you've discovered, teaching is a ton of work, and I don't believe one can do his/her job effectively by putting in only contracted hours and nothing else. In my frank opinion, those are the people who shouldn't be teaching. You'll spend a ton of time planning, modifying lessons, speaking with colleagues, communicating often with parents and specialists in the building (e-mails, phone calls, progress reports and report cards [or something like that for preschoolers]), running meetings and conferences, working on behavior management, etc. The list can go on and on.

Do you know you definitely want to continue working with preschoolers or are you open to trying out different grade levels? Before beginning a certification program, you might want to think about subbing to get some experience working with kids at a different age and grade. (I'm not sure how doable that is if you're already working full-time, but I thought I'd throw that out there.) You might end up deciding you'd prefer to teach older kids, or you'd confirm you want to teach preschool. You could also look into shadowing others and/or observe other teachers' classrooms to get an idea of how they do things.

There are so many rewarding things about teaching, I can go on and on. It's hard though, and I'd recommend speaking to as many people as possible who are in the field before entering a program.

Good luck!

 

[Cozystitches]

I have to agree with what others have posted about teaching. It is HARD but it's also GREAT! I, too, have days where I wonder what I've gotten into.

I'd love to say that I could get all my work completed during my contract hours, however I'd be lying. This is my 3rd year teaching Junior High Science (12-14year olds), this age group eats up teachers so you really either love them or you don't. That being said, I honestly can't see myself going to a different age group

I'd look at the pros and cons and make a list, talk with other teachers too as burn out is real and a lot of teachers do not last 5 years. I read this e-card on Pinterest lately: "Teaching: 65 hours per week for 36 weeks equals 2340 work hours. Other jobs: 40 hours per week for 52 weeks equals 2080 work hours. So I deserve a summer off."

Now, I'm not entirely sure how accurate this is, so I decided to test it (Science Teacher, remember) So far I have worked (since SUNDAY) 35.18 hours and it is Thursday morning. I did not calculate how many hours I worked before school started (the meetings, meetings, meetings, room set up, meetings, meetings), or the Meet and Greet/Open House, or the hours during the summer. So, I'm hoping to see how accurate the Pinterest card is to real life, or rather MY life. I am trying to work more efficiently so hopefully the data will help me to do so.

 

[Scarlett1]

I absolutely love teaching, def a job you need to love and be passionate about though.
Pros:
Job satisfaction...when you see children flourishing in your care, there is nothing better
Innocence/honesty of youth
Keeps you young, you'll laugh every day.
Parents, most are fantastic and a great resource to the classroom
It's what I am meant to be doing

Cons:
Paperwork, paperwork paperwork!!!
Lack of resources, shockingly bad here (Ireland)
Increasing of class sizes making it near impossible to do a good job
Negative parents with a scarily increasing lack of respect for the profession
Sometimes not being able to do your best for a student and having to accept that

The pros for me far out way the cons. It can be very frustrating when dealing with the cons listed but I love my job, and not once have I ever not wanted to go to work. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[zoebartlett]

Packrat, I reread my reply and I hope you don't mind that I included my experience of grad school. I know you're going a different route...

Also, I realize that my experience with young elementary aged kids is very different than a teacher who is teaching preschool. That's a whole ball of wax I'm not too familiar with. I tried to focus on the aspects of teaching that would be similar. As far as the curriculum goes, that will vary place to place. You'll be working hard (as you already are) to help instill routines for your students throughout each day.

I think JD's right re: time off, to a point. Sure, we have several holidays, school vacation weeks, and summers where we're not working in our classrooms or with kids. It's not a typical M-F 9-5 job. It's an awesome schedule for a parent, from what my teacher friends with kids tell me. I'd say though that it's rare to completely take off all that vacation time though. Chances are, you'll be bringing work home with you.

The other thing I wanted to mention, and this could vary district to district, and it seems like a minor point, but it's regarding paychecks. JD mentioned being paid through the summer. In former districts I've been in, teachers can either be paid in 21 or 26 paychecks. If you opt for 26, you'll most likely get a balloon check at the end of the school year. The balloon check is your pay for the summer months. It just calls for a bit of budgeting on your part. My husband and I deposit my balloon check into our savings acct. and then every 2 weeks throughout the summer, he transfers the amt. my regular paychecks were to our checking acct. That works very well for us. Again, it might be a minor point, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Resources and parent involvement can vary so much. It's good to be aware of what resources are at your disposal and what you might need to buy with your own money. Just a warning, you could spend a good chunk of change throughout the year, especially when you're just starting out. Tap your colleagues for access to their files and materials. If your school has a high rate of parent involvement, that could be a huge plus, or it could be seen as a negative by some. If your school has a low rate of parent involvement, well, just do the best you can to reach out to them, and encourage them to become involved.

I wish we could talk in person about this! I'm dying to hear more about your school, your options, and your thoughts on becoming a preschool teacher. Sorry for rambling!

 

[packrat]

Zoe, are you on FB? I would love to talk to you more about it too!

Everyone, I SO appreciate the help and thoughts. It feels weird to be this age and just *now* finally figure out that I enjoy working w/kids this much.

I do want to stay w/the preschool kiddos. Ours come back on the 3rd of September and I can't tell you how excited I am to see them again. This age, I feel, is perfect for me. I think partially b/c I'm kind of this age *inside*, if that makes sense? Coloring, cutting, puzzles, they think I'm a rock star when I show them out to make designs w/glue and then shake glitter on it. Crawling up in my lap just for snuggles.

I've had to take a lot of classes so far-ECERS, Observation/Assessment classes. Trying to get in for TEACH but it's like pulling teeth b/c of the popularity. I've got my para license, and hopefully soon will have my CDA. Supposedly that's similar to having a two year degree. Not sure how similar, and not sure if it transfers for college credit.

I asked my lead teacher today, if she could average out the weeks where she puts in a lot of hours and the weeks she doesn't, in a 52 week year, how many hours she'd average per week. She said at least 40-50.

One para a few years ago got her teaching degree and is now a 1st grade teacher in the district. Another just got hers last year and they started a 1/2 day T-K program in our building that she was hired to do, otherwise she'd be back in her para job while waiting for something to open.

I don't want to teach older grades. We have a terrible time getting para subs at the preschool-most people can't handle it. Some people sign up to be subs and specifically say they won't do preschool--and here I am not wanting to go anywhere *but* preschool haha! Actually, we found out today that we have 1 sub right now--for six paras, five of whom have kids.

I know there are colleges that are all online that I could look into and somewhat go at my own pace, like one class at a time.

I do think you just get the one paycheck at the end of the school year.

Our area is predominately blue collar...and I don't know what color you'd be *under* that, but that's a LOT of our community, sadly. Welfare, or just on the cusp. I can't recall what our Principal said last year that our percent of free/reduced lunches are but it was huge.

 

[MayFlowers]

packrat, I just wanted to reply because I am a preschool lead teacher in a public school. There are so many days when I think that I just can't take it anymore or question whether I should have chosen a different career path. But then, a 3 year old who had been nonverbal a month prior, shouts a full sentence about a classmate and I realize that I definitely chose the right profession.

I am in my mid-twenties and went straight from high school into college for a Bachelor's in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. After I graduated, I didn't find a job right away. Fortunately, I had a great student teaching school and they were able to offer me a part time job doing intervention work with students who were struggling in reading, writing and math. That allowed me to get a little more experience for my resume and gave me an income while I still applied for full time jobs throughout the school year. I got picked up last year by the largest district in my state and was offered a preschool position. I would have taken anything at that point, but I LOVE preschool and I am so glad I got this position.

Being in a public preschool, I work with low-income students or students who have an IEP or are disabled. We receive funds from the state government, much like Head Start classrooms receive funds from the federal government. I'm not sure if you are in a public preschool or private, but the funding for early childhood classrooms was cut this year by 5%, I believe, and is going to continue to be cut each year. In fact, my job was in jeopardy this year and I didn't find out I would still have my position until about 3 days before school was out for summer.

I mention all this because even with 5 counties/districts within a 30 minute drive of me and one of which has almost 100,000 students, I still didn't find a job my first year and then my job was almost cut once I did get a job. So, this is just something to consider. I know that another district by me also cut Special Education teachers and Elementary teachers as well. It's just getting to be tougher and tougher to get a job.

Also, I am pretty sure that your CDA does count toward a degree. An assistant in a different classroom is working on her CDA and getting her Associate's degree to teach in a Head Start room. She is going through our local community college and will be getting transfer credits towards her Associate's. As for the student teaching, I would check with whichever school you choose to attend for your degree. I do know of one person who went online for her degree and she was able to choose her student teaching assignment (of course if the school agreed).

I don't know if any of this will help you or not, but I just wanted to give you some other thoughts to consider.

 

[packrat]

Hi Mayflowers, thank you for posting! It does help, thanks!

We're part of our public school district. Our program does receive grants/funds from the state. We actually have NAEYC coming soon for assessment or whatever it is they do-I've not been thru it yet so it's all new to me. We have the special ed room where I am, and all of our kids are on IEP's. There also is a three/four year old program and a voluntary four year old program. (and we have a Head Start in town as well) Oh, and plus the T-K program that is new this year.

There are not many districts in the area...and with the winters here, I won't drive, and there is no chance of moving to a different area, so the only option is the district I'm currently in.

And honestly, I'm not opposed to getting the education just to have it. I think the more eggs you put in your basket as far as knowledge of your career, the better. Maybe it's dumb to put that much into it to be "just" a para, I dunno. Another thing, if I did go on, and stayed as a para in our room, I could sub for my lead teacher when she's gone. (tho, there's been a few times where the other para and I have to do that anyway, but the extra education might make me more comfortable doing it)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Packrat, the sad thing is, experience is the best teacher. I don't believe that most teacher ed programs are all that helpful in reality. Being a teacher asst is one of the best things you can do to learn and grow in your current job as you will learn from the teachers and children you work with.

I taught for many years, and this point in time is a sad time for education as positions have been cut and many places are not getting raises. If there are only two preschool positions in your district, it would be extremely risky to get a teaching degree in hopes of getting one of them. There might never be an opening.

The paperwork is pretty bad, the extra meetings after school that don't even apply to you are tiring. I love teaching children with learning disabilites to read, but honestly, I have my dream job now that I tutor one-on-one privately in my home. No meetings, no dumb paperwork, no state tests, etc.

Obviously we need good people to go into teaching. But these days, you cannot assume you'll get a job, and you also may not get the age/grade level you really want to teach. So count the costs of working a lot more hours, having a lot more responsibility, spending thousands to get the teaching degree, and maybe or maybe not getting a job. I know someone right now who was a teacher and took a TA position this year because she was sick of all the stress and extra hours!

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I was a para for two years while I was getting my grad degree in elementary special education (already had undergrad in gen ed), all of the states have different requirements and pathways. It's a very tough road to take, especially if you will have to stop working for student teaching, I would find out if your college would allow you to use your work as your student teaching before you look into this more, sometimes it happens.

I work in Brooklyn, NY as a self-contained special education teacher grades 3-5. I have six students and everyday is an adventure. I have all students with autism and like all of us, they vary, day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute. The paperwork is crazy, the commute is crazy, the admin is crazy, but I love it. I just finished my fourth year and I'm getting ready for year five. I work summer school so I have about 3 weeks of summer which I'm enjoying right now.

All I can say is you won't know if you can do it until you do it. Your best idea of what it's really like to be in charge is to work as a leave replacement. Good luck!

 

[packrat]

Thanks for the continued replies everyone. They had a preschool teacher leave last year b/c she wanted to stay home w/her kids, and sounds sort of like she is planning on coming back in a few years when the kids are older. That also makes me wonder how easy it will be to get a job after finishing school.

We'll have to just keep discussing it I guess, and I'll visit w/the teachers at school and get their thoughts. I'm perfectly content staying where I am...maybe just will have to figure out something for the summers is all.