I am thinking

[Pamela H in Texas]

of going back to college.....for a teaching degree!

Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher. My daughter's answer to this is that I have been a great teacher. Well, my daughter is going to college and my son has only a few more years. What am *I* growing up to do?

I remember "teaching" my stuffed animals.

I remember "teaching" my friends.

I remember "teaching" those I babysat.

I grew up and....

I've enjoyed teaching my own kids.

And now I'm ready to move on so I can teach other people's children. I'm thinking middle school math. It seems challenging, fun, fulfilling. I like the idea of helping some kids get over math anxiety and others learn that math is cool. Some will already be more math inclined and I can encourage them up that road also. The age-group is one of the most interesting in a lot of ways, not all good, but not all bad either!

In Texas, I have to take a basics skills test first. And I'll have to student teach at some point. But I'm a bright, educated woman. I'm lacking a little confidence, but I can probably gain that within a semester of being back "in the books."

I hate the idea of student loans, but we'll have to survive somehow. Maybe a few scholarships and grants will help.

Anyway, I am talking to an adviser tomorrow....

[Amy in Orlando]

Pamela, I'm with you in the fact that my kids are "finishing up" (well, not the last one) and I'm facing that "what do I want to be when I grow up question. I think pursuing a degree in teaching is a great idea. I think you're incredibly brave to want to teach middle school, math no less!!!!! Good luck tomorrow. Let us know what he/she has to say.

It's kind of exciting, isn't it?

[WTMindy]

I think if it is your dream, you should go for it! However, just a warning to you. In our town, it is very difficult for older teachers to get a job. It is a terrible thing, I think, but they like to hire fresh, young, energetic teachers right out of college. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but I would do a little investigating about your district before you go through all the work and then find this out.

You could always set up and offer classes for homeschoolers also. As a math teacher, I know there are a lot of homeschoolers who would love a math tutor or even someone else to teach.

Again, I do not mean to be discouraging at all. But, the ed. classes can be kind of a pain, and I would hate to see you go through all that and then be disappointed!

[8FillTheHeart]

Pamela,

May I offer a suggestion before you make your decision? I would suggest doing either volunteer work or substitute teaching in a school prior to selecting your specific degree.

I absolutely love teaching. It is something that perks me up and I get really excited about topics. However, I do not deal well with the politics/bureaucracy of schools. Not only what you teach in your classroom is dictated, but very frequently *how* you teach it is controlled as well. My sil experienced the same thing in her classroom a decade later in a different state, so I don't think my experience was limited.

My niece, OTOH, loves teaching and thrives in the classroom. You might be one that enjoys the environment and works well within a system. It is just a good idea to have an idea of what goes on within a school "behind the scenes" so that the illusion of simply teaching is clarified as to what it all really entails.

HTH

[umarider]

Pamela,
I think going into teaching is a great choice! I changed fields from business (BS in Human Resources) to teaching after some exposure to the joys of teaching while in Japan and encountering a neighbor/friend in MD who was working on her BA in education in her late 30's. It was a great choice for me.

Do you have an undergraduate degree? (BS/BA). If so, check to see if there are any universities that offer an accelerated Master's program for people who want to change careers to teaching. That is what I was able to do.

There are lots of resources for grants/scholarships. When I went back to school I had to use student loans for about half the cost. So when I started teaching, because we weren't accustomed to having 2 salaries, I put all of my paycheck (after work-related expenses) into paying off my student loans. I had them paid off in 1 year.

I've found that my time homeschooling has made me a much better teacher. I am able to think more creatively and give greater consideration to the how/why of instruction.

I do agree w/ the pp who suggested substituting, but one caveat... remember that students always act differently w/ a sub, and every day of subbing is like the first day at a new job... you don't know your way around and everything is a little awkward. It does give you a chance to listen to the conversations in the teacher's lounge and that can be insightful.

[Pencil Pusher]

I think it's so exciting to have a goal & to know what you want to do. Have you thought about where you'd go? Except for one or two irksome profs, the online prog at UTA was tolerable. In fact, I believe that one prof in particular actually trains you for putting up w/ admin. LOL

GL, & have fun!

[betty]

If so, you may be able to be hired before you finished ed course requirements. Also, my state requires you to have a degree in your subject for all secondary teachers, including sp. ed. (OK that sounds confusing. In grades 7-12, if you teach math you must have a degree in math. I have a degree in chem and a masters in sp ed so I can teach regular or honors chem and I can teach LD students in general science.) In my state math is in high demand, so if you have the degree a school system may higher you and give you time to finish other requirements (in the summer, at night), so you don't have to take out a loan or be strapped for cash.

Another option to consider is private school. Where I live the "elite" schools don't want teachers to have "teaching degrees". The philosphy, as explained to me by a friend who teaches in one of these schools, is that your enthusiasm and love of the subject will guide you as a teacher. Independent schools in my area network and people who want to teach in them typically do an internship, essentially a year of student teaching, and then enter a pool of applicants to the area independent schools.

The group of less elite private schools in my area don't do follow the paths of the public schools or schools considered "elite". Some of these are very nice small schools. Some have a religious affiliation and some do not. The pay at these schools is poor compared to both public school and the "elite" schools. However, they may be very nice places to work.

Good luck with your dream!

[Diana in OR]

Good for you! I was just like you...I remember being in the 3rd grade and thinking how I would run the classroom if I were the teacher. I've never wanted to be anything else. Middle school is my favorite age to teach.


To encourage you, there are lots of scholarships and grants out there. You may be surprised at what you qualify for. Also, depending on where you are, substituting can be a great way to get your foot in the door to a permanent position. Here in Oregon, you have to be a certified teacher to sub, but I've known several people who were hired because they were a regular sub in a school.

I do agree with the school politics thing. That's not my favorite part. Sometimes you can avoid that by teaching in a private school.

Let us know how your meeting goes.:D