4 answers
Patience
Student
Grand Junction, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
1458 views
How do you choose what grade level you want to teach?
I am a senior in high school, but I am taking all of my classes at my local college next year so I will technically be a college freshman. I think that I want to teach elementary school because I currently work with kids and I am good with them, but I just am not sure. I don't know how to pick a grade level to teach.
4 answers
Mona Ahmadi
Art Instructor, Artist
23
Answers
Vienna, Virginia
Updated
Mona’s Answer
Hello dear. This is wonderful that you wish to be a teacher. I hope you have the best of luck.
If you want to find out what group and grade level will be best for you, you need to spend some time in that position or environment to determine if you have the ability and required skill set to help those groups of students. Deciding to teach at a certain grade level requires you to understand your career goals, personal attributes, abilities, and subject area expertise because all of these play an essential role in determining what grade level would be the best fit for you.
I strongly suggest you read this article. It talks about the differences between teaching at elementary, middle, or high school and the pros and cons of each. It can help you a lot:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-grade-should-i-teach#:~:text=Making%20the%20decision%20to%20teach,for%20you%20as%20a%20teacher.
Then I suggest you volunteer for teaching assistant positions near you or even ask an educator to shadow them and see how they manage their classrooms and learn from them to experience what it would be like to be a primary teacher for that specific level. You can also join different communities and ask the teachers and educators of those levels so they can share some of their knowledge with you. Also, internships, if you are qualified, can be an excellent way to learn from experienced and professional teachers, and they will help you test out your own qualities and understand what areas in your skill set need to be improved and what requirements you need to work on advancing.
If you are working with young kids, You already know this is a delicate profession. Before you start, you need to put yourself out there and learn how to deliver a subject and handle different situations to be able to coordinate a classroom. But besides all of this, I suggest you go after what is your passion because there you will always feel most confident and happy. I hope it was helpful.
If you want to find out what group and grade level will be best for you, you need to spend some time in that position or environment to determine if you have the ability and required skill set to help those groups of students. Deciding to teach at a certain grade level requires you to understand your career goals, personal attributes, abilities, and subject area expertise because all of these play an essential role in determining what grade level would be the best fit for you.
I strongly suggest you read this article. It talks about the differences between teaching at elementary, middle, or high school and the pros and cons of each. It can help you a lot:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-grade-should-i-teach#:~:text=Making%20the%20decision%20to%20teach,for%20you%20as%20a%20teacher.
Then I suggest you volunteer for teaching assistant positions near you or even ask an educator to shadow them and see how they manage their classrooms and learn from them to experience what it would be like to be a primary teacher for that specific level. You can also join different communities and ask the teachers and educators of those levels so they can share some of their knowledge with you. Also, internships, if you are qualified, can be an excellent way to learn from experienced and professional teachers, and they will help you test out your own qualities and understand what areas in your skill set need to be improved and what requirements you need to work on advancing.
If you are working with young kids, You already know this is a delicate profession. Before you start, you need to put yourself out there and learn how to deliver a subject and handle different situations to be able to coordinate a classroom. But besides all of this, I suggest you go after what is your passion because there you will always feel most confident and happy. I hope it was helpful.
Karen Dempsey
Art Instructor
4
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Karen’s Answer
During the previous academic year, a high school senior spent the final 1.5 hours of their school day in my art classroom. Throughout this period, they crafted lesson plans tailored to specific grade levels. Once they felt confident, they stepped up and taught one of these lessons to my second-grade students. The student teacher had a clear passion for teaching art, but they were uncertain about their preferred grade level and whether they wanted to specialize in Art, Special Education, or English as a Second Language.
To assist them in their decision-making process, I didn't just limit their experience to my classroom. I connected with other teachers in our school, arranging for the student teacher to spend a few days shadowing them. This could be something you might want to explore with your high school - perhaps they have a similar program where you can observe teachers across elementary, middle, and high school levels to find where you feel most at ease.
Our student teacher, who did a fantastic job with the second-grade students, discovered that they particularly enjoyed working with my fourth-grade students. This experience helped them gain a better understanding of their teaching preferences. So, don't hesitate to seize such opportunities - they can be incredibly enlightening and rewarding!
To assist them in their decision-making process, I didn't just limit their experience to my classroom. I connected with other teachers in our school, arranging for the student teacher to spend a few days shadowing them. This could be something you might want to explore with your high school - perhaps they have a similar program where you can observe teachers across elementary, middle, and high school levels to find where you feel most at ease.
Our student teacher, who did a fantastic job with the second-grade students, discovered that they particularly enjoyed working with my fourth-grade students. This experience helped them gain a better understanding of their teaching preferences. So, don't hesitate to seize such opportunities - they can be incredibly enlightening and rewarding!
Alan Weber
writer and retired teacher, teacher educator and academic advisor
207
Answers
Woodstock, New York
Updated
Alan’s Answer
You very well might not know until you've actually experienced the different age groups and have gotten a sense of what felt right. When I went into teaching, I had absolutely no idea that I would be drawn to early childhood. Undoubtedly, some of it was psychological, something about my own upbringing and educational experiences. Later on, I made a lateral career move to college teaching, to prepare a new generation of teachers to take my place. You'll have to consider the developmental needs and abilities of different age groups, along with exploring the curricula for each grade level, and compare it to what you feel best complements what and how you'd like to teach. Be open, as you very likely won't be assigned to your ideal choice at first anyway.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6193
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Patience,
Selecting an Appropriate Grade Level to Instruct
The choice of grade level you wish to instruct is a pivotal decision that can shape your entire educational career. Here's a roadmap to guide you in selecting the most suitable grade level:
1. Self-Analysis: Evaluate your strengths, hobbies, and personal inclinations. Contemplate the age group you find most rewarding to work with and where you feel most at ease.
2. Acquire Experience: Gain practical experience by engaging with students of various age groups. This could be achieved through volunteering, tutoring, or employment in an educational environment. This experience will offer you a deeper understanding of the unique dynamics of each grade level.
3. Assess Your Abilities: Reflect on your talents and capabilities. Different grade levels demand distinct teaching methodologies and skills. For instance, instructing elementary school students may necessitate more patience and creativity, while high school instruction may demand robust subject knowledge and effective communication skills.
4. Investigate: Delve into the curriculum and expectations for each grade level. Comprehend the developmental phases of children at different ages and their optimal learning strategies.
5. Solicit Suggestions: Engage in conversations with educators who instruct at different grade levels. They can offer valuable insights into the challenges and benefits of teaching diverse age groups.
6. Professional Growth: Participate in workshops, conferences, or courses relevant to different grade levels to gain a deeper understanding of what each involves.
7. Experimentation: If feasible, experiment with teaching various grade levels either as a substitute teacher or through internships to discover which one feels like the perfect match for you.
In the end, the selection of a grade level to instruct is a personal choice that should resonate with your enthusiasm, abilities, and aspirations as an educator.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
National Education Association (NEA) - The NEA is a professional entity committed to advocating for education professionals and ensuring superior public education for all students.
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - AFT is a union of professionals that promotes fairness, democracy, economic opportunity, and superior public education, healthcare, and public services for students, their families, and communities.
U.S. Department of Education - The U.S. Department of Education is a government agency that offers valuable resources and information on education policies, programs, and initiatives in the United States.
May God Bless You,
JC.
Selecting an Appropriate Grade Level to Instruct
The choice of grade level you wish to instruct is a pivotal decision that can shape your entire educational career. Here's a roadmap to guide you in selecting the most suitable grade level:
1. Self-Analysis: Evaluate your strengths, hobbies, and personal inclinations. Contemplate the age group you find most rewarding to work with and where you feel most at ease.
2. Acquire Experience: Gain practical experience by engaging with students of various age groups. This could be achieved through volunteering, tutoring, or employment in an educational environment. This experience will offer you a deeper understanding of the unique dynamics of each grade level.
3. Assess Your Abilities: Reflect on your talents and capabilities. Different grade levels demand distinct teaching methodologies and skills. For instance, instructing elementary school students may necessitate more patience and creativity, while high school instruction may demand robust subject knowledge and effective communication skills.
4. Investigate: Delve into the curriculum and expectations for each grade level. Comprehend the developmental phases of children at different ages and their optimal learning strategies.
5. Solicit Suggestions: Engage in conversations with educators who instruct at different grade levels. They can offer valuable insights into the challenges and benefits of teaching diverse age groups.
6. Professional Growth: Participate in workshops, conferences, or courses relevant to different grade levels to gain a deeper understanding of what each involves.
7. Experimentation: If feasible, experiment with teaching various grade levels either as a substitute teacher or through internships to discover which one feels like the perfect match for you.
In the end, the selection of a grade level to instruct is a personal choice that should resonate with your enthusiasm, abilities, and aspirations as an educator.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
National Education Association (NEA) - The NEA is a professional entity committed to advocating for education professionals and ensuring superior public education for all students.
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - AFT is a union of professionals that promotes fairness, democracy, economic opportunity, and superior public education, healthcare, and public services for students, their families, and communities.
U.S. Department of Education - The U.S. Department of Education is a government agency that offers valuable resources and information on education policies, programs, and initiatives in the United States.
May God Bless You,
JC.
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