stomp
Probationary Member
Posts: 9
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Post by stomp on Dec 23, 2020 1:29:07 GMT -6
Anyone ever taken a teaching job outside your field? Thoughts on that?
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Post by spreadtoshred on Dec 23, 2020 5:36:07 GMT -6
I feel like I've never really known what I was teaching.
My first teaching job was in New Zealand and I was teaching Social Studies (which I was trained in) but my first unit was New Zealand history, so the kids knew more than me from the start.
I then came back and took a job as a permanent sub spot as a Science teacher. Permanent sub so a little different but it was my classroom for 9 weeks, so similar to having a job. Currently, I'm teaching business, which I took a test to get my license in. I routinely point out to the kids that they are much smarter than me and we tend to have fun with it.
My biggest take away from all of it is that teaching is 100% more about relating to kids then knowing information. You have Google, other teachers, and the book to pull from, it's easier than ever to get the material to teach. Makes me think about the story of Vince Lombardi winning a State Championship coaching basketball with an outdated basketball coaching manual. It's 100% more about relating to kids than knowing the information.
As for day to day teaching, I've always been really upfront with the kids, with a hey, it's my first time learning this stuff too. If I get stumped on a question we look up the answer as a class.
I would say don't worry about taking a job if it's outside the area you taught in. It's kind of like coaching a different position, figure out what they need to know, then use your gifts to present the information in a way that makes sense and have fun with them.
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stomp
Probationary Member
Posts: 9
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Post by stomp on Dec 23, 2020 10:01:03 GMT -6
I feel like I've never really known what I was teaching. My first teaching job was in New Zealand and I was teaching Social Studies (which I was trained in) but my first unit was New Zealand history, so the kids knew more than me from the start. I then came back and took a job as a permanent sub spot as a Science teacher. Permanent sub so a little different but it was my classroom for 9 weeks, so similar to having a job. Currently, I'm teaching business, which I took a test to get my license in. I routinely point out to the kids that they are much smarter than me and we tend to have fun with it. My biggest take away from all of it is that teaching is 100% more about relating to kids then knowing information. You have Google, other teachers, and the book to pull from, it's easier than ever to get the material to teach. Makes me think about the story of Vince Lombardi winning a State Championship coaching basketball with an outdated basketball coaching manual. It's 100% more about relating to kids than knowing the information. As for day to day teaching, I've always been really upfront with the kids, with a hey, it's my first time learning this stuff too. If I get stumped on a question we look up the answer as a class. I would say don't worry about taking a job if it's outside the area you taught in. It's kind of like coaching a different position, figure out what they need to know, then use your gifts to present the information in a way that makes sense and have fun with them. Appreciate this. Been offered a job in a field that is about the complete opposite of mine. That’s the only box that is a nagative as far as moving my family. Nervous for sure but lots of positives to taking the gig. |
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Post by coachcb on Dec 23, 2020 11:10:57 GMT -6
I worked as a mental health counselor in a youth treatment center and was offered a lucrative promotion within the organization. I'd be making $15k+ more per year if I'd taken that promotion but my quality of life wouldn't be what it is as a teacher.
The job is incredibly stressful and a 60+ hour work week is a given within that position. I'd be on call to handle emergencies (i.e. violent kids) three nights per week along with the rest of the work load.
At the end of the day, I stick with teaching as I enjoy what I do and the gig is only as stressful as I make it. I work some long weeks but I don't mind. Day to day, I run my classroom as I see fit. I grade,plan and discipline as I see fit.
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Post by fantom on Dec 23, 2020 11:16:43 GMT -6
I feel like I've never really known what I was teaching. My first teaching job was in New Zealand and I was teaching Social Studies (which I was trained in) but my first unit was New Zealand history, so the kids knew more than me from the start. I then came back and took a job as a permanent sub spot as a Science teacher. Permanent sub so a little different but it was my classroom for 9 weeks, so similar to having a job. Currently, I'm teaching business, which I took a test to get my license in. I routinely point out to the kids that they are much smarter than me and we tend to have fun with it. My biggest take away from all of it is that teaching is 100% more about relating to kids then knowing information. You have Google, other teachers, and the book to pull from, it's easier than ever to get the material to teach. Makes me think about the story of Vince Lombardi winning a State Championship coaching basketball with an outdated basketball coaching manual. It's 100% more about relating to kids than knowing the information. As for day to day teaching, I've always been really upfront with the kids, with a hey, it's my first time learning this stuff too. If I get stumped on a question we look up the answer as a class. I would say don't worry about taking a job if it's outside the area you taught in. It's kind of like coaching a different position, figure out what they need to know, then use your gifts to present the information in a way that makes sense and have fun with them. Appreciate this. Been offered a job in a field that is about the complete opposite of mine. That’s the only box that is a nagative as far as moving my family. Nervous for sure but lots of positives to taking the gig. Can you be happy teaching in that field? If the problem is that you don't know much about it don't worry. You just need to stay one chapter ahead of the kids. If it's a field that you actively dislike and have no interest in I'd think long and hard about it. |
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 23, 2020 11:50:05 GMT -6
Appreciate this. Been offered a job in a field that is about the complete opposite of mine. That’s the only box that is a nagative as far as moving my family. Nervous for sure but lots of positives to taking the gig. Can you be happy teaching in that field? If the problem is that you don't know much about it don't worry. You just need to stay one chapter ahead of the kids. If it's a field that you actively dislike and have no interest in I'd think long and hard about it. I echo these sentiments. I often see coaches here talk about getting certified in Math, Sciences, or SPED to "make themselves more marketable". I always reply "If you don't want to teach those things, education is a terrible way to make a living". |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 16:11:41 GMT -6
Can you be happy teaching in that field? If the problem is that you don't know much about it don't worry. You just need to stay one chapter ahead of the kids. If it's a field that you actively dislike and have no interest in I'd think long and hard about it. I echo these sentiments. I often see coaches here talk about getting certified in Math, Sciences, or SPED to "make themselves more marketable". I always reply "If you don't want to teach those things, education is a terrible way to make a living". 😂 Absolutely! |
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Doo
Freshmen Member
Posts: 44
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Post by Doo on Dec 23, 2020 16:48:27 GMT -6
Can you be happy teaching in that field? If the problem is that you don't know much about it don't worry. You just need to stay one chapter ahead of the kids. If it's a field that you actively dislike and have no interest in I'd think long and hard about it. I echo these sentiments. I often see coaches here talk about getting certified in Math, Sciences, or SPED to "make themselves more marketable". I always reply "If you don't want to teach those things, education is a terrible way to make a living". Teaching should be a calling, not just a way to make a living or be in coaching. Besides coaching itself is a terminal profession, meaning the vast majority leave it (by choice or otherwise) before they are ready to retire. |
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Post by carookie on Dec 23, 2020 18:18:00 GMT -6
Yeah, I have a couple times (such as life at times in small private schools). I was credentialed in Social Studies, but in my time as a teacher I have taught the following: History, Government/Economics, Bible, PE, English, Physics, and Earth Science. It can be work, but I enjoyed it.
I am the type of person who has to build everything I up my own way (recreate the wheel some would call it), but I feel that allows me to do the job the best I possibly can. For classes I have taught more than a couple times, I don't even bother to look at the textbook, because I know the only time the kids will use it will be if I am out sick. As such, those classes that were new to me took a lot of time (me learning everything) and then coming up with quality methods to deliver that information. If that sounds like you, then be ready to put in some work, though not as much as your first year teaching, because you should be better with methodology.
If you are happy with just falling in line with best practices, and doing whatever curriculum you are given, then I can't imagine it should be too much work though. I think it really comes down to how you are as a person.
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Post by 19delta on Dec 23, 2020 20:11:20 GMT -6
Can you be happy teaching in that field? If the problem is that you don't know much about it don't worry. You just need to stay one chapter ahead of the kids. If it's a field that you actively dislike and have no interest in I'd think long and hard about it. I echo these sentiments. I often see coaches here talk about getting certified in Math, Sciences, or SPED to "make themselves more marketable". I always reply "If you don't want to teach those things, education is a terrible way to make a living". Yep. Getting hired to be a SpEd teacher is going to be rough if you don't want to be a SpEd teacher. And if you get hired as a SpEd teacher, you will most likely always be a SpEd teacher. Don't fall for the "We'll hire you as a SpEd teacher but move you to PE next year" line... 😆 |
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Post by 19delta on Dec 23, 2020 20:12:35 GMT -6
Yeah, I have a couple times (such as life at times in small private schools). I was credentialed in Social Studies, but in my time as a teacher I have taught the following: History, Government/Economics, Bible, PE, English, Physics, and Earth Science. It can be work, but I enjoyed it. I am the type of person who has to build everything I up my own way (recreate the wheel some would call it), but I feel that allows me to do the job the best I possibly can. For classes I have taught more than a couple times, I don't even bother to look at the textbook, because I know the only time the kids will use it will be if I am out sick. As such, those classes that were new to me took a lot of time (me learning everything) and then coming up with quality methods to deliver that information. If that sounds like you, then be ready to put in some work, though not as much as your first year teaching, because you should be better with methodology. If you are happy with just falling in line with best practices, and doing whatever curriculum you are given, then I can't imagine it should be too much work though. I think it really comes down to how you are as a person. Textbooks? They still make those? 🤣 |
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stomp
Probationary Member
Posts: 9
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Post by stomp on Jan 5, 2021 23:22:00 GMT -6
Any industrial arts (Drafting, CAD, Intro to Industrial Education) teachers out there want to give me some feedback?
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Post by larrymoe on Jan 6, 2021 9:16:29 GMT -6
Any industrial arts (Drafting, CAD, Intro to Industrial Education) teachers out there want to give me some feedback? Keep the biggest idiots in the class away from the power tools. |
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Post by tsrbe on Jan 7, 2021 9:16:30 GMT -6
Any industrial arts (Drafting, CAD, Intro to Industrial Education) teachers out there want to give me some feedback? I've been an Industrial Tech teacher for 7 years now. Really enjoy it. Is that the area you are looking to switching to? What is your background? |
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Post by coachcb on Jan 7, 2021 9:36:20 GMT -6
Any industrial arts (Drafting, CAD, Intro to Industrial Education) teachers out there want to give me some feedback?
Be prepared to manage those environments with an iron first. Teaching drafting, CAD, computer program are pretty simple gigs as they're high-end electives filled with juniors and seniors that want to be there. Those intro freshman and soph. classes can be a flippin' circus.
When I was a union president, it seemed like I was putting out fires from those underclassmen tech. classes on a monthly basis. So much room for stupid chit to happen if the teacher wasn't on top of classroom management. In that position, there was only one teacher that I couldn't go to bat for on some level with the administration and school board; too many dangerous situations were on record.
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stomp
Probationary Member
Posts: 9
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Post by stomp on Jan 7, 2021 10:05:07 GMT -6
Any industrial arts (Drafting, CAD, Intro to Industrial Education) teachers out there want to give me some feedback? I've been an Industrial Tech teacher for 7 years now. Really enjoy it. Is that the area you are looking to switching to? What is your background? I've taught business for 16 years but was offered a hybrid position in Industrial Arts and Computers. The computers will be easy because that follows my certification, but I have no experience in Ind Arts and it makes me pretty nervous having to teach something I don't know much about. CAD, Drafting, etc. |
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Post by kylem56 on Jan 14, 2021 20:12:20 GMT -6
I echo these sentiments. I often see coaches here talk about getting certified in Math, Sciences, or SPED to "make themselves more marketable". I always reply "If you don't want to teach those things, education is a terrible way to make a living". Yep. Getting hired to be a SpEd teacher is going to be rough if you don't want to be a SpEd teacher. And if you get hired as a SpEd teacher, you will most likely always be a SpEd teacher. Don't fall for the "We'll hire you as a SpEd teacher but move you to PE next year" line... 😆 It was very easy getting licensure for special ed and its not hard to find jobs in special ed either. However, the GOOD special ed jobs are few and far between. Be prepared to do alot of paperwork, classroom management, and behavior management. It took me 8 years to find a GREAT special education job (we are actually the first Catholic High School in Michigan to have a full special education program) and I hope I don't screw it up because its awesome. You already coach so I'm sure you have thick skin but it can be tiring some days. One of my first jobs was 4 years in an inner city school with 18 special education kids on my caseload, I was punched, hit with chairs, bit, took a gun off a kid, pulled multiple knives off kids, and restrained kids on a weekly basis. However there was alot of great kids of poor circumstances that ended up going on to do good things with their lives I am proud of. After 4 years I was burned out and I took a 12K paycut to get out because for every success story, there was 10 bad cases but all that makes me much more thankful for what I have now. Every district is different. The level of support from your Admin is what will make or break you as a Special Education teacher. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2021 20:19:50 GMT -6
Any industrial arts (Drafting, CAD, Intro to Industrial Education) teachers out there want to give me some feedback? Keep the biggest idiots in the class away from the power tools. At my old school I was next door to the shop class. One day some of the biggest dumb@$$es in the school decided to goof off and shoot each other with nail guns. At the school I went to after that, the shop teacher had 3 kids busted smoking a joint in his class... while the Director of Schools was observing. |
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Post by MICoach on Jan 19, 2021 10:53:57 GMT -6
Yeah, I was hired to do a predominantly English 10 long term sub when I was first teaching. The teacher also taught one history class and the administration was hoping to hire a social studies teacher the following year. I think they were looking for a dual-certified teacher but I had a couple buddies in the building give me good reviews and I had a good interview.
It went alright, certainly some growing pains, but the kids wrote and read books and learned things. I ended up doing another all history long term sub job right after it. Of course, the following year SS job was kaboshed by the superintendent, so it didn't really lead to anything. But it was a good experience in perfecting some teaching practices.
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Post by MICoach on Jan 19, 2021 12:53:40 GMT -6
Oh also my current job I got hired to teach economics and, though I was certified, had never taught it. Now I teach both AP micro, AP macro, and on level economics. Probably helped that the HFC was the department and needed an OL coach.
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Post by fantom on Jan 19, 2021 13:25:23 GMT -6
Oh also my current job I got hired to teach economics and, though I was certified, had never taught it. Now I teach both AP micro, AP macro, and on level economics. Probably helped that the HFC was the department and needed an OL coach. We had an econ prof at our college who was the "cake" prof, an easy B, goof shot at an A. The guy never talked about Econ just, "Communism is bad", "Willie Mays great American, and (I kid you not) "Celery juice is good for you". For exams guys brought in pre-written blue books because it didn't matter what the question was as long as you wrote on those themes. A teammate took the prof for five classes. When he graduated and got a teaching job they looked at his 15 credits of econ and assigned him to teach it. He didn't know any more about economics than he did as a freshman in high school. He got through it. As I said, you just need to stay one chapter ahead of the kids. |
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