Becoming a teacher

[sanddrag]

For the single subject, I believe the CSET is the test now. (with the afformentioned ones being phased out. At least that's what I think I read). I don't really know anything about it. Has anyone here taken a CSET?

Originally Posted by indieFan

And, once again, I would ask yourself why you want to go into teaching. The answer to this is critical to whether you should be doing it at all.

I was fortunate enough to have a pretty high quality education. Many students aren't. Perhaps I can help change that.

Anyhow, I can probably do a Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit For Prospective Teachers this summer (if substitute teachers are still needed in the summer, year round school perhaps?). I would just need to pass the CBEST. Has anyone taken it?

[Sean Schuff]

You asked "What does a person have to do to get into teaching?" The simple answer to that is you need to be passionate about it and you need to be capable of being inspired by the sometimes simple yet powerful act of learning. There are, however, many other considerations such as proficiency in a specific content area, the ability to manage people and time, a desire to be a lifelong learner, and so on.

I have to agree and disagree with what some have said in this thread. I agree that you need to be a teacher for reasons other than financial gain because the pay isn't equivalent to those of other professions. On the other hand, the benefits (health/dental/retirement) are pretty good. I also agree that it takes a special person to be a teacher.

I have to diasgree with what Scott said (sorry Scott!) about Technology Education (or any equivalent subject by a different name) being on the way out. In Wisconsin I have seen two big initiatives take place in the last few years. The first is a transition from Technology Education to Technology and Engineering. The change goes beyond a simple name change to something more fundamental - the need for more technically literate citizens with engineering being at the core of that need. We still offer what are considered "tradiditional shop classes" but infuse them with technology when it is economically and physically viable. Understanding core concepts (welding, using a saw, checking the timing on a car) are still necessary and will be for some time. Our district has made T & E a priority and has put their money where there mouth is. Other districts around us dumped their Tech Ed programs a few years ago for purely financial reasons and are now struggling to bring them back. Money should not be a reason for dropping a program. Of course, that would be in a perfect world.

The second big initiative in the state is that of PLTW. Four years ago our charter school was one of only three schools in the state offering Project Lead the Way. Now, thanks to DPI support and a grant from the Kern Family Foundation, there are about 60 schools statewide that are offering PLTW classes. In addition, UW-Stout (the school that trains T & E teachers) is offering a specialization in PLTW for it's T & E undergrads.

Cools things are happening in our district with regards to education in general and it makes my job loads of fun. But the bottom line is teaching boils down to the ability to excite others about the process of learning. If you've got the enthusiasm and a knack (read as: patience and persistence) for working with kids, teaching is definitely for you.

Good luck!!

Sean