7 answers
Alex
Student
Anaheim, California
1
Question
Asked
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What advice would you recommend to someone aspiring to be a teacher?
I'm in 11th grade and want to be a history or social studies teacher one day. Any advice for someone still in high school? #education #teaching
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7 answers
Zahid Iqbal
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Zahid’s Answer
Teaching is a great and noble field to be in but it also comes with a lot of demand. Your job does not end when the school ends. You will be working at home most evenings planning lessons, quizzes, exams or grading them. You'll be doing that on the weekends too if you are not well organized, especially your first year.
For aspiring teachers, there are two things to keep in mind. Know your content and know how manage a class. Lacking in any of them will not only get you fired but also not have your contract renewed end of the year. For now you could talk to one of your social studies teachers about your interest in being a teacher and if you have a free period then see if you can spend it with them as a 'teacher's aide' in helping her/him teach to get your feet wet and get some idea of it.
For now, just talk to your teachers about their experience starting out and any advice they can give you. You can also check out YT videos, just search "advice for aspiring teachers"
Here's some additional advice from an educator on quora worth a read:
* Be excited, but not naïve . Teaching is a career that can be rewarding for someone who enjoys education, loves working with children and young adults, and excels in their field of expertise. Not everyone you serve or work with has the same opinions about the profession as you do when you teach. Parents sometimes will disagree with curriculum, teaching methods, or discipline that you find essential to run your classroom. Be prepared to defend and explain your ideas. Also know that acceptance of their right to disagree is an attractive option, in the end.
* Explore your creativity. Differentiating lessons in your own way, making learning accessible for all types of learners is essential to inclusion and educational success for your students. Keep things interesting for your students and for yourself. Avoid becoming stagnant: nothing can be less inspiring than the monotony of always doing the same thing. Fresh ideas are often welcome in education, within reason.
* Don’t discount the power of collaboration. As a new teacher, you may feel like you have something to prove, but accepting support and help from administrators and other teachers is invaluable. Two heads are better than one, so collaborating to design curriculum, find solutions to school-wide problems, assist individual students, and interact with parents will strengthen your reserves and increase your knowledge. Drawing from the wealth of knowledge and experience of colleagues helps you to grow and to succeed. Some of my best experiences were made better as a result of collaboration.
* Embrace opportunities to improve. Twice a year, you will receive an evaluation to determine your effectivesness as a teacher and to chart your growth. Seeing this as a positive opportunity will help you gain the most from this practice. Bring questions to your meetings, set reasonable goals for your level of experience, take suggestions from your evaluation, and keep things in perspective.
For aspiring teachers, there are two things to keep in mind. Know your content and know how manage a class. Lacking in any of them will not only get you fired but also not have your contract renewed end of the year. For now you could talk to one of your social studies teachers about your interest in being a teacher and if you have a free period then see if you can spend it with them as a 'teacher's aide' in helping her/him teach to get your feet wet and get some idea of it.
For now, just talk to your teachers about their experience starting out and any advice they can give you. You can also check out YT videos, just search "advice for aspiring teachers"
Here's some additional advice from an educator on quora worth a read:
* Be excited, but not naïve . Teaching is a career that can be rewarding for someone who enjoys education, loves working with children and young adults, and excels in their field of expertise. Not everyone you serve or work with has the same opinions about the profession as you do when you teach. Parents sometimes will disagree with curriculum, teaching methods, or discipline that you find essential to run your classroom. Be prepared to defend and explain your ideas. Also know that acceptance of their right to disagree is an attractive option, in the end.
* Explore your creativity. Differentiating lessons in your own way, making learning accessible for all types of learners is essential to inclusion and educational success for your students. Keep things interesting for your students and for yourself. Avoid becoming stagnant: nothing can be less inspiring than the monotony of always doing the same thing. Fresh ideas are often welcome in education, within reason.
* Don’t discount the power of collaboration. As a new teacher, you may feel like you have something to prove, but accepting support and help from administrators and other teachers is invaluable. Two heads are better than one, so collaborating to design curriculum, find solutions to school-wide problems, assist individual students, and interact with parents will strengthen your reserves and increase your knowledge. Drawing from the wealth of knowledge and experience of colleagues helps you to grow and to succeed. Some of my best experiences were made better as a result of collaboration.
* Embrace opportunities to improve. Twice a year, you will receive an evaluation to determine your effectivesness as a teacher and to chart your growth. Seeing this as a positive opportunity will help you gain the most from this practice. Bring questions to your meetings, set reasonable goals for your level of experience, take suggestions from your evaluation, and keep things in perspective.
Vijayalakshmi Kadambari
Teacher
14
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Vijayalakshmi’s Answer
Hi!! In order to be a social studies or history teacher it is necessary to have a graduate or a masters degree, as per the requirements of the education industry . It also important to get a 'teaching qualified' certificate / degree in order to be professionally qualified for teaching the subjects. Teaching is a profession wherein a professional degree as well as good subject knowledge are two prerequisites for becoming an expert teacher. Apart from a passion to teach , a professional teaching degree would give the much needed 'competitive edge' and would make you more eligible for the required job. It would also help you to understand class room management and educate you with the necessary techniques required for an efficient classroom management session. A good subject knowledge of history and social studies with fluency of language and terms of each subjects would enable you to facilitate the teaching learning process .
Complete high school/ secondary grades
Choose a good college/ university to graduate
Opt for doing masters
Pursue the required teaching certificate programme as also volunteer to teach in classes.
Prepare a financial estimate of your education plan and go accordingly.
Vijayalakshmi recommends the following next steps:
Michael Cooperman
1
Answer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Alex, a noble calling. If you love history, civics, sociology, etc., then it could be a good career for you!
The best way is to get at least a BA in History or related degree - better, a Master's, or even PhD, because you will get better jobs and salary - and please be aware that:
1. You will have to take the PRAXIS (teacher certification) tests to qualify, if in the US;
2. You have to also focus on the art of teaching, which includes classroom management, and dealing with all the vagaries of learners, individually and in groups, and finally
3. The wonderful worlds of administrative obligations, educational mandates, paperwork, and continuing education courses.
If you believe you are ready for all that, then I encourage you and wish you the best!
MC
The best way is to get at least a BA in History or related degree - better, a Master's, or even PhD, because you will get better jobs and salary - and please be aware that:
1. You will have to take the PRAXIS (teacher certification) tests to qualify, if in the US;
2. You have to also focus on the art of teaching, which includes classroom management, and dealing with all the vagaries of learners, individually and in groups, and finally
3. The wonderful worlds of administrative obligations, educational mandates, paperwork, and continuing education courses.
If you believe you are ready for all that, then I encourage you and wish you the best!
MC
Monica Thomas
Teacher
16
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Monica’s Answer
Hey, I think teaching is a great profession to become apart of especially during these times. Do you want to teach in the middle, high or even elementary setting? .. I would recommend as a high school student to do the following:
-volunteer in becoming a tutor to other high, middle or elementary students with history or social studies or any other to give you some experience working with teaching a concept.
-In you high school, if they have any child development classes, then take that course.
-Since you are getting towards the end of your high school years, I would recommend researching different colleges and universities that have a great educational program for teachers.
- With history being the subject of interest, I would encourage you to probably try to volunteer at a museum being a tour guide assistant.
-If you are able to work while in high school, I would even recommend working in museum or job that exposes you to more history.
Hopefully, these suggestions will head you in the right direction. And I am excited that you have picked this profession.
-volunteer in becoming a tutor to other high, middle or elementary students with history or social studies or any other to give you some experience working with teaching a concept.
-In you high school, if they have any child development classes, then take that course.
-Since you are getting towards the end of your high school years, I would recommend researching different colleges and universities that have a great educational program for teachers.
- With history being the subject of interest, I would encourage you to probably try to volunteer at a museum being a tour guide assistant.
-If you are able to work while in high school, I would even recommend working in museum or job that exposes you to more history.
Hopefully, these suggestions will head you in the right direction. And I am excited that you have picked this profession.
TLAUREN TLAUREN
CA
120
Answers
San Gabriel, California
Updated
TLAUREN’s Answer
Use your imagination when it comes to how you teach. Don't just do it the way your mentor or previous teacher did it. Think of fresh ways to teach something, and be curious. Be curious, and make the kids intrigued, and they'll be curious, too. Be thrilled yourself, since if you're excited, they'll be excited, as well.
Mary Telstad
5th grade teacher (recently retired)
7
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Mary’s Answer
I have been an educator for over 30 years, and have worked with many young teachers. The #1 quality I look for is "with-it-ness": the ability to anticipate and act...instead of reacting to a situation. Working well with your colleagues, classroom management, making healthy connections with your students, communicating with families, and knowing your content are all important.
So, my advice to you is to either volunteer or find employment in a job that centers around kids. Even if the age group is younger than your intended students, the experience of being a leader and managing children will be helpful.
There might be electives at your high school like CHILD DEVELOPMENT or a working preschool, so take advantage of those opportunities.
When you sign up for college classes, take history courses that will make you a well rounded educator. When you become a teacher, you will most likely be told to use required texts and resources. Being well rounded will allow you to make connections, for example the economics, geography, and civics of a particular historical event.
Making history come alive for your students takes skill. Think out of the box! The use of theater, art, technology, poetry, music or creative writing will transform a dry chapter in a text to a dynamic experience for your kids. Start working on these skills now. If you are given an assignment in high school and college which allows you to practice one of these skills, DO IT!
My final bit of advise relates to with-it-ness. Practice this in everyday life by anticipating and acting BEFORE being told (your parents, teachers, and employers will appreciate you so much). In the classroom you will be making split second decisions all day long. Managing 30+ kids, making lesson decisions mid class when you've lost your student's attention, readying yourself for emergencies, working with colleagues, preparing for questions after a meeting or presentation you are in charge of...are a few examples.
Best of luck and enjoy the journey!
So, my advice to you is to either volunteer or find employment in a job that centers around kids. Even if the age group is younger than your intended students, the experience of being a leader and managing children will be helpful.
There might be electives at your high school like CHILD DEVELOPMENT or a working preschool, so take advantage of those opportunities.
When you sign up for college classes, take history courses that will make you a well rounded educator. When you become a teacher, you will most likely be told to use required texts and resources. Being well rounded will allow you to make connections, for example the economics, geography, and civics of a particular historical event.
Making history come alive for your students takes skill. Think out of the box! The use of theater, art, technology, poetry, music or creative writing will transform a dry chapter in a text to a dynamic experience for your kids. Start working on these skills now. If you are given an assignment in high school and college which allows you to practice one of these skills, DO IT!
My final bit of advise relates to with-it-ness. Practice this in everyday life by anticipating and acting BEFORE being told (your parents, teachers, and employers will appreciate you so much). In the classroom you will be making split second decisions all day long. Managing 30+ kids, making lesson decisions mid class when you've lost your student's attention, readying yourself for emergencies, working with colleagues, preparing for questions after a meeting or presentation you are in charge of...are a few examples.
Best of luck and enjoy the journey!
Keirston Johnson
Teacher
3
Answers
Walterboro, South Carolina
Updated
Keirston’s Answer
Hi Alex,
I want to answer your question from a framework of what to do once you are already a teacher. Here are my tips for you:
Come prepared with a plan but always be open, flexible and ready to handle things that weren’t on the agenda.
Care about what you do.- Find your larger purpose for teaching and reconnect with that every day.
Be genuine in the classroom- you can only do your best when you are your most genuine self so be true to yourself. Plus, students can sense when you’re not being genuine so it works out for everyone if you’re just being yourself.
Focus on the important stuff- you will find you may get overwhelmed with tasks, the key is that you prioritize what is important in the moment so that you don’t burnout.
Work with others - collaborate with colleagues, work with parents, reach out to administrators. Working with others will help you tremendously.
There are many other things to consider though here is just a start. I hope this was somewhat helpful!
I want to answer your question from a framework of what to do once you are already a teacher. Here are my tips for you:
Come prepared with a plan but always be open, flexible and ready to handle things that weren’t on the agenda.
Care about what you do.- Find your larger purpose for teaching and reconnect with that every day.
Be genuine in the classroom- you can only do your best when you are your most genuine self so be true to yourself. Plus, students can sense when you’re not being genuine so it works out for everyone if you’re just being yourself.
Focus on the important stuff- you will find you may get overwhelmed with tasks, the key is that you prioritize what is important in the moment so that you don’t burnout.
Work with others - collaborate with colleagues, work with parents, reach out to administrators. Working with others will help you tremendously.
There are many other things to consider though here is just a start. I hope this was somewhat helpful!
Thank you for the advice!
Alex