6 answers
julia
Student
West Covina, California
3
Questions
Asked
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What job can I do to work with children that isn't an average teacher?
I want to teach something other than basic requirements. #education
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6 answers
Alison Warren
Academic Administration
57
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Alison’s Answer
Hi Julia,
There are so many jobs that would let you interact with children besides teaching! A good way to look at it is to think about what children need to learn besides the basic “reading, writing, and arithmetic” that everyone thinks of when they think of “school”.
Working in daycare is one option. Daycare programs help very young children learn to socialize with each other and with adults other than their parents. They’re also absolutely vital for the parents who want to/need to be able to go to work every day! Some schools or community centers also have daycare programs that extend the school day for older children. These kinds of programs might welcome children in extra early and provide healthy breakfasts, or have children stay late after classes to get help with homework or socialize with friends.
Being a coach would be another option. You’re probably familiar from your own school experience with coaches that work with students on teamwork, good sportsmanship, and health via various sports. In the physical realm, physical therapy or occupational therapy are also good options. A lot of young children need extra help learning to control their fine motor functions (like holding a pencil and writing), or might have a physical challenge that makes something like walking/running hard for them. A friend of mine is an occupational therapist. If you walked into her workspace on any given day, you might see children jumping, drawing, or sorting blocks. She loves that work because on the surface it seems like play but she can physically see how each child is improving right in front of her eyes.
You could also consider an alternative education setting. Alternate school systems, like Montessori schools, are one example of this. But, working in a museum, library, or with a historical society are some others. Very often with these, you’d be finding ways to help visitors interact with exhibits or information. You might be planning programs that classes might attend on field trips, setting up summer camps, or leading tours for visitors in attendance that day.
I hope this helps to give you some ideas! Good luck with your career exploration!
There are so many jobs that would let you interact with children besides teaching! A good way to look at it is to think about what children need to learn besides the basic “reading, writing, and arithmetic” that everyone thinks of when they think of “school”.
Working in daycare is one option. Daycare programs help very young children learn to socialize with each other and with adults other than their parents. They’re also absolutely vital for the parents who want to/need to be able to go to work every day! Some schools or community centers also have daycare programs that extend the school day for older children. These kinds of programs might welcome children in extra early and provide healthy breakfasts, or have children stay late after classes to get help with homework or socialize with friends.
Being a coach would be another option. You’re probably familiar from your own school experience with coaches that work with students on teamwork, good sportsmanship, and health via various sports. In the physical realm, physical therapy or occupational therapy are also good options. A lot of young children need extra help learning to control their fine motor functions (like holding a pencil and writing), or might have a physical challenge that makes something like walking/running hard for them. A friend of mine is an occupational therapist. If you walked into her workspace on any given day, you might see children jumping, drawing, or sorting blocks. She loves that work because on the surface it seems like play but she can physically see how each child is improving right in front of her eyes.
You could also consider an alternative education setting. Alternate school systems, like Montessori schools, are one example of this. But, working in a museum, library, or with a historical society are some others. Very often with these, you’d be finding ways to help visitors interact with exhibits or information. You might be planning programs that classes might attend on field trips, setting up summer camps, or leading tours for visitors in attendance that day.
I hope this helps to give you some ideas! Good luck with your career exploration!
Nice answer, well written.
David Broadbent, PMP
Inviolata Sore
1
Answer
Updated
Inviolata’s Answer
As a long-term teacher and mentor I would like to let you know you are choosing a very fulfilling path. All the suggestions above are ways you can get involved without working as a classroom teacher but remember you will be an educator all the same. Depending on your interests, you also can work as a paraprofessional where you work one-to-one with students with special needs. This role avails you the opportunity to support the students with the academics, socialization, transitions between classes and activities, getting them off the bus and walking them to the bus at the end of the day.
Imelda Rivas
3
Answers
Updated
Imelda’s Answer
There are many jobs you can do that include working with children. It really depends on your interests. For example, I work as a tutor and my close friend works at the library as a literary specialist. If you're inclined to linguists, you can consider speech therapy. If you want a job related to children but don't want to work directly with them, consider the administration side of education. I recommend that you take an assessment test to hone in on your strengths and interests.
Tamara McManus
Dir. Global Customer Experience
16
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Tamara’s Answer
Hi Julia,
How exciting that you want to work with kids. They need positive educators and role models in their life. Have you thought of being a school counselor? Or perhaps a speech pathologist? My Aunt is a speech pathologist and really enjoyed the role. She was able to work with kids in all grade levels and make a big difference in their life when it came to reading and overall speech.
I also think think that volunteering may help you determine your career path. For instance, I really enjoy working with kids, but found through volunteer work that I preferred to help in a coaching manner versus a specific grade teacher.
Good luck!
How exciting that you want to work with kids. They need positive educators and role models in their life. Have you thought of being a school counselor? Or perhaps a speech pathologist? My Aunt is a speech pathologist and really enjoyed the role. She was able to work with kids in all grade levels and make a big difference in their life when it came to reading and overall speech.
I also think think that volunteering may help you determine your career path. For instance, I really enjoy working with kids, but found through volunteer work that I preferred to help in a coaching manner versus a specific grade teacher.
Good luck!
Caitlin Guyan
Lighting Specifier
4
Answers
Placentia, California
Updated
Caitlin’s Answer
More ideas for working with children could also include theme park or carnival employment, cafeteria lunch lady, school security officer, camp counselor or after school program leader. My sister is a school bus driver and has an amazing amount of interaction with the kids.
sharyl Allen
Lead and Coach
8
Answers
Helena, Montana
Updated
sharyl’s Answer
Teaching takes shape in most every facet of our lives. When working with children, first and foremost, you must genuinely like children and find the possibilities in each child. If you are able to build relationships, capture teachable moments, have endless patience, and laugh at yourself, you will find opportunities teaching opportunities in many places. Here are a few to consider outside the "normal" teaching role. Private music teacher; tutor; disabilities advocate; project-based mentor; field studies leader; outdoor educator; experiential learning developer; camp director; various shelters need teachers; Teach for America; online learning; work in orphanages; elite coaching in areas of your strengths; nanny-teacher.
You may want to reach out to a local organization that works with children and volunteer. This will give you the opportunity to see kids in a different light and also hone your own relationship building skills.
You may want to reach out to a local school's after-school program in two realms: Volunteers or paid assistants. These programs often look for a variety of strengths and creativity is often one.
In many places, local libraries operate children programs. This is another place you can look for opportunities to serve.
There are a variety of "other" settings for kids today and private schools from Democratic Schools to Montessori offer opportunities that are different and provide different opportunities. When looking at alternatives, this organization is incredibly valuable: ttps://www.educationrevolution.org/store/findaschool/memberschools/
The opportunities are all around you as most communities develop options for their children. Children's museums, local music groups extensions for children, local churches have children programs, online teaching that allows you to help children in other countries abound, become the local expert on a given topic and offer your own workshops for kids and families... be quick to observe and then take action on your ideas.
sharyl recommends the following next steps: