So how big of a mistake would it be for me to get involved in Teaching?
My résumé (short version):
- B.S., Physics (double-major in Philosophy, minor in Mathematics)
- One brief horrible semester in grad school that involved teaching an undergraduate Introductory Physics lab for 40 (or was it 80?) non-science majors. (This is something that I'm not actually including on my real résumé, since I dropped out of grad school after this semester - but should I include it because of the teaching experience?)
- Over sixteen years experience in industry: a year and a half with a solar cell manufacturer in Delaware, nearly fifteen years with a CD/DVD manufacturer in Pennsylvania; the latter job included a stint co-creating and teaching a multiple-day Introduction to Statistical Process Control course which my partner and I presented to several groups of students.
- Plus lots of tutoring here and there.
Is the Teaching situation really as horrible as I've heard? I know that the failed No Child Gets An Education program will not outlast the failed Administration that spawned it by very much, though it will probably not be item #1 on the list of disasters that need to be fixed right away by whoever takes office on January 20, 2009. But is the current situation so bad that I should just stay away until the scorched earth starts to show a few seedlings poking through? Should I run into this (metaphorical) fan blade full-speed? Or should I maybe just forget about it entirely and go off in some other direction?
The narcissistic primarily autobiographical blog of the pseudonymous d.b. echo
Brother Harold,
ReplyDeleteWhat subject(s) do you want to teach?
What age-group do you want to teach?
How much do you care about teaching or your students learning the subject-matter?
Are you patient?
Do you have issues with verbosity?
As a teacher, those are key issues that I feel all potential teachers should consider.
If teaching is your thing, then you will need to show qualification (any sort of teaching experiences will help here - tutoring, basic presentations, public speaking, formal courses, an education degree)
Also, it will help to show you are a subject-matter expert in the area you want to teach. At least be able to show that you grasp the fundamentals and can learn the nuances of the particular thing you will be hired to teach.
I did a few things here and there, nothing big, then I decided I might like teaching in a more formal situation. I was in the military at the time, so I got orders to teach at an electronics school. I was assigned to teach something that I was generally familiar with, but no expert. I did have a good grasp of electronics though.
It turned out that I especially enjoyed teaching to students that were about to use the info I taught. The course was similar to a trade school and the audience was made up of current technicians so motivating them to learn was easier than in other schools. After a year or so, I became very comfortable with the subject-matter and that is the point where it gets fun.
I liked the job enough to stay in the field and still teach in a similar situation but now as a civilian. I started in 1995 and changed courses once but stayed in the electronics field.
Maybe you can swing a part-time teaching stint to see if it is really you. Some people have a thing for teaching and some don't and you may not know for sure until you try it. Also, the topic and audience makes a difference. I doubt that I would enjoy teaching grade school. If I had tried that first, I may be in a different line of work now.
Lastly, teaching and learning are processes. The teacher needs to make their point as succinctly as possible while holding the students' interest. Then, the teacher has to allow the students to absorb the information through a combination of repetition, questions, incubation (thinking time for the student), reading and practice or drill. The patience required of a teacher can be tested here and it can get frustrating. If you think you can handle that, then go for it!
Teaching can be extremely satisfying. Sort of what I would imagine a doctor feels when successfully treating patients.
I would be happy to help in any way possible and I wish you luck in finding a job that is satisfying.
George (from Felberpalooza)
George has some good advice here, and some good food for thought. One thing I'd add -- I wouldn't worry about the No Child Moves Ahead Act -- there are always moronic initiatives coming down the pike, and you're better off getting used to it.
ReplyDeleteAs for teaching itself -- it really depends what you want to do. The good news is districts usually need math and science teachers, and that's what you do. A few of my own thoughts if you're thinking public high school:
* Hiring admins are as likely to be as impressed by your "real world" as they are to be threatened by it.
* Teaching is its own thing, and being able to do something doesn't mean you'll enjoy teaching it or be good teaching it. It also doesn't mean you won't ... for the record, I think you may be a fine teacher.
* Two words: Class management. That's what got me. But maybe the kids taking physics will be more serious.
Good luck.
Bill @ BN
I think that teaching is the most noble, honorable and selfess profession in the world. It takes heart, patience and determination -- you will be fab. Set your heart on it :) And work with your heart.
ReplyDeletePhysics and Philosophy?! You so rule!
ReplyDeleteHere is a thought, why not teach at a private school? I have heard a lot less complaining from the teachers I've known that work in private schools.
I've been a teacher. Taught middle school age kids in the very same Catholic grade school I had attended. I loved the teaching, but correcting 40 papers at a time (that was the class size) got old. I still enjoy the teaching I do with adults in my job and in Sunday school and there are no grades or papers to correct!
ReplyDeleteBut having said that, and with what little I know of you, I could easily see you teaching in a community college, especially with your experience. The pay can be pretty lousy but at least you have students who really want to be there and learn.
well, you have taught me many things, and when you had ricky and i at your housr to tutor him with the calculator thing i found you very patient.
ReplyDeletei say, you would make an excellent teacher my friend. :)