Becoming a grade school teacher is heroic decision to embark on the fantastic journey of making a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of young people. You become a role model or pathfinder for many young minds who need direction and empowerment to survive in the 21st century.
Usually, to become a grade school teacher requires a 4 years degree at an accredited college or university. Aspiring teachers must also spend another two years in a certification program designed to prepare them for teaching in specific levels and academic concentrations. In the training program, students must also undergo a semester or two of student teaching.
Teaching Levels:
- Early Childhood
- kindergarten
- Elementary
- Middle School
- High School
Areas of Concentrations:
- Math
- English
- Biology
- Art
- Music
- Reading
- Business
- Humanities
- Technology
The choice levels and areas of concentration are solely up to the individual. Aspiring teachers usually choose to teach academic areas based on their interests and strengths.
Work Environment
In any typical classroom, a grade school teacher can teach up to 35 students. Some classrooms have a smaller number of students. (25 or less)
The process of teaching includes assessing student needs, delivering instructions, engaging students, classroom management, measuring progress to meet standardized testing requirements.
Sometimes a day of teaching can be very challenging, but also very rewarding, especially they see a meaningful change in student attitudes and behavior.
Teachers who leave the teaching profession due to exhaustion usually do so because they were not properly prepared for teaching, either mentally, intellectually or physically. Teaching can be challenging, but educators must know that some students act the way they do either because of a challenging domestic condition or environment.
Qualities of a Good Teacher
- patience
- Understanding
- Passionate
- Engaging
- Motivational skill
- Communication skills
- Organization skills
- Classroom management skills
Salary
Whoever goes into this fields must love children and teach for the sake of teaching. Beginning teacher salaries in some states are under $40,000 a year, depending on the school, whether it is a public, charter, private or experimental school.
Outstanding teachers may make as much as $70 or $80,000 a year. Teachers who write books or make other academic leaps in education can end up in the triple digit category.
The Need for Good Teachers
American classrooms need good teachers, teachers how can engage students creatively in a classroom setting. The traditional way of teaching, which demands that students set quietly and listen, is becoming a thing of the past as today’s, 21st century students are more emotional, energetic and physically engaging.
If teaching is for you, Welcome to the profession. The difference you will make is priceless.
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