Comments on: I Am Thinking About Being A High School Teacher. Should I Find A New Career Goal?

By: oslomodo

oslomodo — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:38:27 +0000

In my opinion, yes. I am a high school teacher and have been for 12 years. You don’t make a lot of money but it is a great job that I truly enjoy. There is indeed a need for African American teachers as well as other educators ethnic groups to help students get a well-rounded view of the world and to learn about other cultures. Best of luck. You sound like you’re well on your way.

By: wicked wench

wicked wench — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:53:53 +0000

If you are doing poorly in PT you may want to REALLY rethink teaching. My husband is becoming a teacher and it is alot of hard work and takes a tons of dedication. I am helping him alot and it is still tough.
I wish you the best of luck but think long and hard before you leap.

By: emenbens

emenbens — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:32:51 +0000

Teaching wasn’t my first career choice, but I have been doing it for almost 20 years and I love it. You can teach if you have a family; you just have to find a balance. What concerns me is that it’s your “fall back” if you can’t cut it as a PT. That isn’t what education needs, and that won’t get you through the rough patches. If you have coached or tutored and love it, go ahead. Otherwise, you may be very disillusioned and become one of the many teachers that quit during their first five years.

By: Jen due December 09

Jen due December 09 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:16:00 +0000

I’m about to complete my first year teaching elementary music. I’m at a school with a lot of poverty. It’s been tough, and it’s been great…all at once.
I’m 25, and even since I was in school things have DRASTICALLY changed.
You’re right, the money isn’t great..but I plan on going back to my old job this summer to supplement my income. It’s also nice having holidays off and a summer break, etc, etc.
Someone else here said to go for your masters right away, and I disagree. It’s sometimes harder to get hired b/c you will be “overqualified” and although quality teachers should be important, a lot of schools are looking for cheaper hires (like first year teachers). Some schools will help pay for your masters, so I would wait that out. National cert is a great way to go…but a pain in the ***.
If your heart is in it, go for it and good luck!!

By: tomi2741

tomi2741 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:19:03 +0000

my time as a high school teacher was well spent… I loved the kids and teaching them… if money is a concern look enlsewhere, although the pay is on the rise… look to work at high poverty schools/ impacted schools with initiatives.. work towards your masters off the bat, and then after three years of teaching kick out your national board. In my area those two add a nice 22% increase in pay… do what you love and you’ll find the money…

By: Maria

Maria — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:28:28 +0000

Being a teacher is definitely worth it if it is your passion, but just filling a void is not a good enough reason. You need to really sit down and think about this. Furthermore, depending on your school district, there may be a significant amount of African American teachers. If you can’t buckle down and study hard, you won’t make it. The teacher education path is very demanding, so you need to think about whether you are dedicated enough. Our children deserve hardworking, educated teachers.

By: Anna W

Anna W — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:47:27 +0000

no,being a school teacher is very stressful and if you have kids don’t even think about talking to them if you are a school teacher, stick to physical therapy!

By: grammarh

grammarh — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:32:12 +0000

I am a high school teacher, and despite the challenges and the busyness, I love almost every minute of it. Contrary to what a lot of people think, it is not a job that ends when the bell rings. There is always work to be done, and the hard part is knowing when to stop. As an African-American, you could bring so much more to the job in the form of role modelling for young African-American kids. My experience is that kids who are part of minority groups need to see adults like themselves holding worthwhile, respectable positions in society. My understanding is that teachers in the U.S. are highly underpaid, so don’t do it for money. You’ve got to want to do it. Good luck with your decision.