teacher
All about teachers and the world of teaching; teachers sharing their best and worst interactions with students, best teaching practices, the path to becoming a teacher, and more.
The Vermont Teacher Summer Bucket List
What do you do as a teacher when you’re on summer break and you CANNOT sit still? You create a bucket list of things you’d like to do for the summer. It’s a personal goal to finish everything on the list and go into the next year ready as ever.
Welcome to Alternative Education
I recall the end of 2014 one of the most exciting times of my life. I finally finished my undergraduate degree in Psychology along with my now-husband and we were both ready to take that first step into the "real world" of careers and corporate work.
The Overworked and Underpaid
The average high school teacher makes a salary somewhere between $50,000-$60,000. Sounds pretty good, right? Just wait... Consider the education and licensing required. An elementary or secondary school teacher could be in debt anywhere from $10,000 in student loans to even over $100,000 (the average being $50,000). Okay, sure, maybe they can pay that off over 10 years, or they'll be granted the Public Service Loan Forgiveness plan. Surely they're not that underpaid!
Journey ScribePublished 6 years ago in EducationBeing a 'Teacher' Is Not Enough!
If the quote above isn't true... then clearly you haven't been in education. I've been a first-grade teacher for four years and what I've learned in that time is that if your students don't love you... you're screwed. They will not learn. They will not listen. They will not try. Kids do not learn from people they don't like.
Teaching in a Juvenile Prison
When people ask me where I teach, there is always a moment of hesitation before I respond. That moment of hesitation doesn’t come from an insecurity of my profession or any sort of lack in confidence, but that hesitation represents the questions that I know will inevitably come after I reveal that I am a high school teacher in a juvenile prison. I know, I know, there are probably a few quick judgments that pass through your mind: “Wow, that’s pretty cool!” “Oh my god, aren’t they dangerous? Are you scared?” or, my personal favorite, “You must not do any real teaching.” Yes, those are all comments that have been made to my face, but there are a few things you need to know about being a teacher for the young adults in the juvenile corrections system.
Kurt MasonPublished 6 years ago in EducationAnd So, the Book Closes for Good
It is so difficult when the end is near. It is so tough to accept and very tough to handle, but, eventually, it must be done. You are prepared to accept the beginning, but no one is ever prepared for the bitter end.
Maurice BernierPublished 6 years ago in EducationWhy Teachers Are a Great Part of This Country
Some people in America’s General Public believe schoolteachers are “a little bit below average” (Goldstein). They believe students aren’t getting very bright in schools because teachers aren’t bright (Dubner). The comparisons to other wealthy countries like South Korea, Japan, and Finland has led some people to believe this statement is true. For example, “In the nations that lead the international rankings (Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Finland, and Canada), teachers are drawn from the top third of college graduates, rather than the bottom 60 percent as is the case in the United States” (Mehta). Although “we have all heard the depressing numbers when compared to kids from other rich countries, US students are also a little bit below average, especially in math, even though we spend more money per student than most other countries” (Dubner). The comparisons to other Nation’s teachers and students put some of the General Public in the mind frame that US students aren’t doing very well and US teachers are not the best and brightest (Dubner). Just because a teacher graduates at the top of their class does not mean they will be a great classroom teacher (Dubner).
tanesha doorPublished 6 years ago in Education- Top Story - May 2018
First Grade Technology?!
When I was in first grade I think the greatest technology I'd ever seen was a crayon melter and an old school projector (those were cool back then)! Now, I teach first grade and what I had handed to me (basically) scared me! My school's tech person handed me 12 iPads, an Osmo, a Tiggly set, a Sphero, and confidence that I'd make it work. Boy... I think it took me awhile to realize that hey... I have technology and I can use it!
What You Don't Learn in the Ed Program
Each year, many eager future teachers enter their college years ready to become the next group to teach our next generation. I was one. I walked into school and had all these ideas about what becoming a teacher would be like. I sat through hours and hours of classes, went through the apprenticeships, and did my two weeks of solo lessons, but NOTHING prepares you for what teaching is truly like.
Living for Those 'Aha' Moments
Why did you become a teacher? That's the question I get asked the most. My first reaction is the defend myself and answer like, "Well why aren't you one?!" But then reality sinks in and I realize that they ask because they genuinely want to know. But you can't help that first reaction because as a teacher you know there are people out there that think your job is just to babysit their children... And let me tell you that's their first mistake because it is so much more than that.
Jenna KopkaPublished 6 years ago in Education- Top Story - May 2018
The Art of Caring
I am a teacher. I inspire and in turn am inspired by my students. I am 61-years-old and teach nursing at a state university. Why did I become a nurse (many years ago, you can do the math)? I wanted to make a difference. When I think back, I am not sure what difference I wanted to make, but after many years of bedside care, I knew I wanted something more. I went back to school for a Master’s degree. I had some “inspiring” instructors who taught me that nursing is much more than “doing.” Nursing is about caring.
Susan BonhotalPublished 6 years ago in Education Am I Feeding a 'Frozen' Obsession?
I know the answer to my question before I ask it. They know I'm going to ask it too, and they're prepared. They've already started moving the chairs around the classroom as if they were setting up for a Kindergarten business meeting.
Kat LeeshuePublished 6 years ago in Education