4 answers
Bekka
Student
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
4
Questions
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What are the major differences between elementary and middle school teachers?
My dream has always been to be an elementary school teacher, but I really like English as well. I am debating either an elementary school teacher or a middle school English teacher, and don't know which to choose. I really like working with kids, presenting/public speaking, etcetera. #teacher #english #elementary-education #secondary-education
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4 answers
Alison Warren
Academic Administration
57
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Alison’s Answer
Hi Bekka,
Good for you for wanting to be a teacher! This profession needs as many driven and dedicated people as it can get.
Elementary and Middle school teaching both have their perks and drawbacks. It takes the right kind of person to connect with each of these categories of students. In elementary, the skills you teach will be at a more basic level, but you will have to teach every subject. You’ll find that there is a lot of classroom management and coaching children through learning social and behavioral skills as well. Classrooms at this age are often high energy, and the teacher has to be good at establishing processes and routines to keep things running smoothly. In middle school - depending on the grade and the district you teach in - you may get to specialize what you teach more. While some middle school teachers teach every subject, some just do English or just do English and History, for example. These classes can be a little more traditional in structure, but a lot of the best ones still have energetic teachers and different types of activities. You’ll still find yourself doing a lot of classroom management in a middle school classroom, but your students will be walking a line between childish goofing off and more sophisticated social drama. (In all honesty, you’ll have classroom management concerns no matter what you teach; even high school! It’s just a question of what types of behaviors you’re dealing with and how good your students are at trying to hide what they’re trying to get away with.)
It is a good idea to spend some time observing in or volunteering in classrooms (or summer camps, or after-school programs, etc.) with different aged students if you’re unsure of where you want to land. Some colleges even have observations like this build into their teacher certification curriculum.
Enjoy your explorations and good luck with your decision!
Good for you for wanting to be a teacher! This profession needs as many driven and dedicated people as it can get.
Elementary and Middle school teaching both have their perks and drawbacks. It takes the right kind of person to connect with each of these categories of students. In elementary, the skills you teach will be at a more basic level, but you will have to teach every subject. You’ll find that there is a lot of classroom management and coaching children through learning social and behavioral skills as well. Classrooms at this age are often high energy, and the teacher has to be good at establishing processes and routines to keep things running smoothly. In middle school - depending on the grade and the district you teach in - you may get to specialize what you teach more. While some middle school teachers teach every subject, some just do English or just do English and History, for example. These classes can be a little more traditional in structure, but a lot of the best ones still have energetic teachers and different types of activities. You’ll still find yourself doing a lot of classroom management in a middle school classroom, but your students will be walking a line between childish goofing off and more sophisticated social drama. (In all honesty, you’ll have classroom management concerns no matter what you teach; even high school! It’s just a question of what types of behaviors you’re dealing with and how good your students are at trying to hide what they’re trying to get away with.)
It is a good idea to spend some time observing in or volunteering in classrooms (or summer camps, or after-school programs, etc.) with different aged students if you’re unsure of where you want to land. Some colleges even have observations like this build into their teacher certification curriculum.
Enjoy your explorations and good luck with your decision!
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Bekka!
Have you ever considered teaching high school? Speech, debate, presentation skills are all built upon in high school.
As a non-educator, (my Dad was a teacher though!), I have to warn you that my friends and family who went into teaching told a lot of stories
about how difficult it was teaching middle school. As you know, that is when puberty/adolescence kicks in. The students are dealing with a lot of
hormonal issues that they really aren't prepared to deal with, and acting out is fairly common place.
Serious high school students working on their GPA and ability to get into the college of their choice would appreciate having a teacher like you!
Sure, someone needs to teach middle school, but, I don't think you will find as many students receptive to what you have to offer at the middle school level. As to elementary, that is the foundation upon which all other skills are built, so, I could also see you teaching there, perhaps 3rd-5th grades. It just sort of depends on if you are wanting to lay the foundations or perfect the skills!
If possible, see if you can sit in on a few classes at differing grade levels, and see which one feels most suitable for you!
Thank you for wanting to be a teacher!
Kim
Have you ever considered teaching high school? Speech, debate, presentation skills are all built upon in high school.
As a non-educator, (my Dad was a teacher though!), I have to warn you that my friends and family who went into teaching told a lot of stories
about how difficult it was teaching middle school. As you know, that is when puberty/adolescence kicks in. The students are dealing with a lot of
hormonal issues that they really aren't prepared to deal with, and acting out is fairly common place.
Serious high school students working on their GPA and ability to get into the college of their choice would appreciate having a teacher like you!
Sure, someone needs to teach middle school, but, I don't think you will find as many students receptive to what you have to offer at the middle school level. As to elementary, that is the foundation upon which all other skills are built, so, I could also see you teaching there, perhaps 3rd-5th grades. It just sort of depends on if you are wanting to lay the foundations or perfect the skills!
If possible, see if you can sit in on a few classes at differing grade levels, and see which one feels most suitable for you!
Thank you for wanting to be a teacher!
Kim
Dwight Lee
Teacher/Counselor
10
Answers
Torrance, California
Updated
Dwight’s Answer
As a high school teacher, I am limited in my experience with the Elementary School level, but as a parent, I know my son loves school. One great thing about Elementary School is that the kids are really sweet and you get the opportunity to make them feel like school is an exciting place. I think if you're planning on teaching in Elementary you've got to have a welcoming personality, the ability to keep little kids in line, and solid lesson plans. Elementary school teachers have to teach multiple subjects, so if you like switching gears you'd probably enjoy teaching at that level.
My colleagues in middle school focus on a single subject, but might teach multiple sections and levels of a class (for example, Language Arts teachers might have to teach multiple sections of 6th and 7th grade classes and Math teachers might teach Pre-Algebra and Algebra ). Also remember that in Middle School students start taking 6 different classes with 6 different teachers. You won't have the chance to bond with the same kids all day long like you would in Elementary School.
I appreciate the hard work my Middle School colleagues do in laying the educational and behavioral foundations that I reap as a teacher. I'm sure the Middle School teachers feel the same way about their Elementary School colleagues.
As soon as you're cleared, try visiting classrooms in your area. It's the best way to see the kinds of lessons teachers have to prepare and the kinds of kids you'd be teaching at those levels.
My colleagues in middle school focus on a single subject, but might teach multiple sections and levels of a class (for example, Language Arts teachers might have to teach multiple sections of 6th and 7th grade classes and Math teachers might teach Pre-Algebra and Algebra ). Also remember that in Middle School students start taking 6 different classes with 6 different teachers. You won't have the chance to bond with the same kids all day long like you would in Elementary School.
I appreciate the hard work my Middle School colleagues do in laying the educational and behavioral foundations that I reap as a teacher. I'm sure the Middle School teachers feel the same way about their Elementary School colleagues.
Dwight recommends the following next steps:
Nan C
5
Answers
Updated
Nan’s Answer
In many cases, elementary teaching is composed of more subjects rather than just Language Arts. I enjoyed that as teaching the same thing over and over would be monotonous. I have taught 2nd through 6th grades and really loved the upper elementary grades. At times I was team teaching so I did two language arts and a social studies class or on the reverse side, two science, two math, and one social studies paired with my partner. I loved our novel studies, but I had the freedom to choose what books my classes read. Not sure what the limitations are these days as I’ve been retired a couple of years. My kids were enthralled with my reading aloud as they followed in their copy because somehow different character voices just popped out as I read. It sort of just happened, but really held their attention. Many novels have book study guides and activities, but you should be prepared to create your own.
Also remember the grading of assignments. In the higher grades, you have a lot more to read and grade. Essays rather than sentences or paragraphs. Much more complex than lower grades. Think about the time you’ll be spending at home at night and on weekends.
I enjoyed the idea of having my own class all day as in elementary school. We developed a strong family like community and we’re a good team. I usually got the kids no one else wanted, special education, non English, behavior challenged or other characteristics that many teachers found unfavorable. I was very good with these kinds of kids and requested the hard cases, but it can burn you out and label you as the teacher of “those kinds of kids” sometimes, but when you get them to progress and really care, it is such a reward.
Definitely visit different teachers in the same school and the same grades. There isn’t a cookie cutter teacher, so you’ll learn from each one. When you get your job, find mentors at your school to assist you. Classroom management is essential and not easy to learn. You’ll develop your own style.
Decide what type of literature you want to work with. What are your favorite books or time periods to read that you’d like to introduce to others? Are you wanting to develop reading skills to very young kids, encourage reading for pleasure in the slightly older, or study classics with the older kids? It’s hard to know just what you want, so explore your options thoroughly! Good luck!
Also remember the grading of assignments. In the higher grades, you have a lot more to read and grade. Essays rather than sentences or paragraphs. Much more complex than lower grades. Think about the time you’ll be spending at home at night and on weekends.
I enjoyed the idea of having my own class all day as in elementary school. We developed a strong family like community and we’re a good team. I usually got the kids no one else wanted, special education, non English, behavior challenged or other characteristics that many teachers found unfavorable. I was very good with these kinds of kids and requested the hard cases, but it can burn you out and label you as the teacher of “those kinds of kids” sometimes, but when you get them to progress and really care, it is such a reward.
Definitely visit different teachers in the same school and the same grades. There isn’t a cookie cutter teacher, so you’ll learn from each one. When you get your job, find mentors at your school to assist you. Classroom management is essential and not easy to learn. You’ll develop your own style.
Decide what type of literature you want to work with. What are your favorite books or time periods to read that you’d like to introduce to others? Are you wanting to develop reading skills to very young kids, encourage reading for pleasure in the slightly older, or study classics with the older kids? It’s hard to know just what you want, so explore your options thoroughly! Good luck!