Does anyone have any advice for a future teacher

[RealBitsOfPanther]

Congrats man! It really is a fun career.  I laugh at something stupid my kids say every day lol. 

As far as advice goes, the big stuff has been covered. You'll have no problem finding a job in NC. Don't be afraid to try things in the classroom. I remember in my internship thinking "man these kids can't handle this activity" and sure enough do awesome with it. 

Try to stay away from negative teachers. They only bring your morale down.

What age group are you looking to teach? If you find that you're not really feeling a particular age group or grade, you can try different ages. Like my fiance is a first grade teacher and there is no way I could do first, and she says the same about middle school (I teach 6th). 

 

Like someone else said, don't over work yourself. Its not worth it. There is always going to be something to do. Try to get as much done as you can within a certain time period and then call it a day. Document everything!! When you call a parent, document it. When you have a conference, take notes. That way it covers you. 

 

I'm only in my 4th year teaching right now, so i'm still learning as well. If you need help with anything (lesson ideas, questions etc), shoot me a PM bro. 

[d-dave]

1 hour ago, cookinwithgas said:

my sister made a career out of it and is now a principal of a giant K-8 school in California and LOVES IT, it really is her lifes passion.

She got out of Charlotte after 3 years and moved back to California where they pay you decently, help you advance, and generally care a bit more about education.

Here in Charlotte I tell people teaching is a great profession if you are married to someone who actually makes money.

My wife and I have scratched out a pretty decent living as two teachers.  We own our own home, have money in retirement account (though not as much as we'd like).  We have decent vehicles, and the ability to take care of our son.  So while it would be nice to have a job that pays decently, we make do.

The reality is that we have to be very careful with our money versus our friends who have "real" jobs.  There are trade offs for every different state in the country.  I mean, sure, California is a wonderful place for lots of reasons, but the property values are kind of insane.  Also, the traffic in the major metro areas is kind of insane.  I don't know much about California, except that we had someone move from there to my school, and he said it's not to different classroom to classroom.  But his cost of living is considerably cheaper.

Location is highly personal, if the OP wants to stay in NC, he's probably already familiar with how anti-education the state is.  How there is A LOT of negativity around public education from policy makers down to grocery clerks.  That will pass, and the pendulum will swing back.  About a decade ago, NC was THE place where meaningful reform and great teaching was happening here....then the money went away and now we're a hot bed of charter schools.

We don't teach for the money or the glorification.  We do it to make a difference for kids.  Sometimes its easier said that done.  Sometimes politics get in the way.  Sometimes things outside of your control get in the way.  It's a heartbreaking profession, but I get to make a difference everyday.  It also keeps me young.  I'm 35, but feel like I'm 25 (except my back!).  I have friends who are already facing mid-life problems, yet I am pretty healthy, happy, and have most of my hair.  I'll take that over another $20,000 a year!

[RealBitsOfPanther]

Also, try to observe other teachers as much as possible. See how they run their classroom and how they teach. Try to notice their procedures and rules. A lot of those little things end up making your life way easier. 

[d-dave]

4 minutes ago, RealBitsOfPanther said:

Also, try to observe other teachers as much as possible. See how they run their classroom and how they teach. Try to notice their procedures and rules. A lot of those little things end up making your life way easier. 

I second this, and would add look at multiple personality types and content areas.  I observed an awesome math teacher recently who just had a wonderful set up.  They taught math in a completely not math way.  I've also seen teachers who teach "boring" lesson plans, but who get by on an excellent rapport with their kids and awesome delivery.

[Anybodyhome]

The really cool thing about teaching history is you can walk damn near everything forward and apply it to what's going on the world today. Even on a more national level if you're teaching US History. I was awarded a history degree from Auburn University when I was in the Navy, they were great at matriculating my experience, other degrees and Navy education (War College, etc.) to get me a degree with but a few classes. Was my favorite study. 

[Goondal]

7 hours ago, RealBitsOfPanther said:

Congrats man! It really is a fun career.  I laugh at something stupid my kids say every day lol. 

As far as advice goes, the big stuff has been covered. You'll have no problem finding a job in NC. Don't be afraid to try things in the classroom. I remember in my internship thinking "man these kids can't handle this activity" and sure enough do awesome with it. 

Try to stay away from negative teachers. They only bring your morale down.

What age group are you looking to teach? If you find that you're not really feeling a particular age group or grade, you can try different ages. Like my fiance is a first grade teacher and there is no way I could do first, and she says the same about middle school (I teach 6th). 

 

Like someone else said, don't over work yourself. Its not worth it. There is always going to be something to do. Try to get as much done as you can within a certain time period and then call it a day. Document everything!! When you call a parent, document it. When you have a conference, take notes. That way it covers you. 

 

I'm only in my 4th year teaching right now, so i'm still learning as well. If you need help with anything (lesson ideas, questions etc), shoot me a PM bro. 

This is great advice.  It never ceases to amaze me the stupid things that parents choose to get upset about.

[Kevin Greene]

12 hours ago, cookinwithgas said:

my sister made a career out of it and is now a principal of a giant K-8 school in California and LOVES IT, it really is her lifes passion.

She got out of Charlotte after 3 years and moved back to California where they pay you decently, help you advance, and generally care a bit more about education.

Here in Charlotte I tell people teaching is a great profession if you are married to someone who actually makes money.

Then there's the pension that comes with the job in Cali. Not to mention you have every conceivable holiday, in service days, fall and spring breaks and summers off. When you look at that salary, consider how many days a year you're actually on the job. ;-)

My next door neighbor is a Cali teacher, I see how many days a year he loads up the surfboards in the AM.

[RealBitsOfPanther]

My fiance and I are both teachers and together we make it. As long as you are smart with your money and don't overspend on stuff you'll be fine. We're by no means rich, but we get by. 

 

My aunt and uncle are also teachers in Maryland and they were smart with their money. They started renting a townhome, then bought that townhome, then rented that townhome out to other people and bought a house. They now have a 6 bedroom house with a pool in the backyard and go on trips to everywhere. 

 

And working retail as a teenager and college student makes me appreciate having holidays off. Especially later in life when we have a family, we'll be able to spend time together. Though that's not why I teach at all. I teach because I want to make a different in kids lives. A lot of these kids' stories will break your heart. 

[d-dave]

On 12/1/2015, 11:16:29, RealBitsOfPanther said:

My fiance and I are both teachers and together we make it. As long as you are smart with your money and don't overspend on stuff you'll be fine. We're by no means rich, but we get by. 

 

My aunt and uncle are also teachers in Maryland and they were smart with their money. They started renting a townhome, then bought that townhome, then rented that townhome out to other people and bought a house. They now have a 6 bedroom house with a pool in the backyard and go on trips to everywhere. 

 

And working retail as a teenager and college student makes me appreciate having holidays off. Especially later in life when we have a family, we'll be able to spend time together. Though that's not why I teach at all. I teach because I want to make a different in kids lives. A lot of these kids' stories will break your heart. 

That has been really nice for my wife and I.  Summers can be a lot more fun!  

One of the biggest differences I have with my neighbors is how we spend our money.  We are extremely frugal, and we don't spend money unless is something we really need/want.  My neighbors on the other hand, spend money like it's going out of style...While they do make a good bit more, they are just washing it down the hole sometimes...  When they go on extravagant vacations, or buy their kids stupidly expensive clothes and stuff, I think about how much I could make in interest off that mess =)