Join a Mailring at the
Teacher Mailring Center
http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/
critter - Good evening.
Stanley - I'm a sub who had a leave replacement contract for much of last year. How about the 2 of you?
Stanley - My contract last yr was in 4/5. I basically sub elementary with some MS.
critter - I'm still working on my B. A., but I have been in the classroom for four years as a T. A. If all goes well, I'll be teaching next year.
Stanley - So you're in a state where you student teach as part of your B.A.? CA [I'm in San Diego] is a 5th year state. What state are you in?
critter - Stanley, so what exactly goes on in these meeting rooms? I'm here tonight for the purpose of research (I'm researching online communities).
Stanley - Also, you will be *SO* much better prepared for your own classroom for having worked as a T.A.!
Stanley - Well, if the meeting is moderated someone sometimes steeres things in a certain direction, or, at the least tends to greet people as they "enter."
critter - I'm in Los Angeles working on my BA in Liberal Studies. I haven't done any student teaching yet.
Stanley - If you look to the left you should see a little box with, amongst others, a "button" for archive. There you can read transcripts of MANY different meetings.
critter - It looks like it's just us right now-no moderator
Stanley - Ah, so you figure to teach in L.A. Unified as an intern? I've heard that is VERY common there -- even if one does NOT speak Spanish.
critter - so how do you like teaching thus far? Fourth grade roght? That's the grade I've been working with for the past 4 years.
EC - Well, hi. I guess I'll jump in. What's the topic.?
Stanley - Yes, that is sad, because if you check some of the old transcripts for this "group," you'll see that they were commonly moderated by 1 or both of 2 ladies who have a Web site & book for beginning/new Ts.
Stanley - Hi, EC! We're just talking about what goes on in these meetings!
EC - Are you both new teachers?
critter - Actually, I took the job to get my foot in the door and to make sure that it was something I wanted to do as a career. I don't work for LAUSD and I'm pretty much assure a teaching position once I finish my BA
Stanley - critter, I'm a change of career T who enjoys the kids a **GREAT** deal -- one reason subbing is not a "horrible" experience for me, as it is for many.
EC - I've been teaching for over 30 yrs. and now I mentor new teachers.
Stanley - EC, I'm in my 5th yr of subbing San Diego, though I did have a leave replacement contract for much of last yr.
critter - Hi EC! No, I'm a TA but I plan on teaching next fall.
EC - Wow, subbing for that long. A tough job.
Stanley - critter, If you don't mind me asking, how do you figure you're "pretty much assured" of a postion? Hey, what's your secret? {G}
EC - Good for you critter. You'll love it.
Jackie - i am student teaching
EC - How are you liking student teaching?
critter - thank you EC. I was just telling Stanley that I've been a TA for 4 years now and I LOVE my job
Jackie - it made me realize i do not want to be a teacher
Stanley - Greetings, Jackie! EC, I don't feel subbing is all that tough! Of course, I get virtually all my jobs in advance, so I have at least SOME leeway as to what I'll take, where I'll go, etc. Also, my getting the jobs ahead, you're virtually guaranteed to h
EC - That's sad. What happened?
critter - so EC as mentor teacher, do you have any helpful ideas or suggestions you can give us?
EC - Laugh a lot. Find a great teacher and pick his/her mind.
Stanley - Jackie, I came *SO* close to quitting my T.Ed program about 2/3 of the way through, so don't necessarily make a "quick" decision.
critter - what grade do you work with, EC?
EC - I'm sorry we lost Jackie. I wonder why she decided against teaching, but better now than later. I work with middle school teachers - grades 6-8
aly - I am senior in colleg- i am currently studnet teaching
EC - Hi Alyson
Stanley - Hello, aly! EC, you're a mentor T?
EC - Yes, I am.
critter - Hi Aly
aly - i like it.. but i can imagine being a teacher next year when i graduate
Stanley - EC, I try not to take TOO many MS assignments -- they can be time bombs! {G}
EC - I love it. Puberty is a strange time
Stanley - aly, In what state are you located, & what are you student teaching?
EC - I think everyone ends up where they belong as far as grade level is concerned. I hope, anyway
aly - I am in Pa.. i am in 2nd grade classroom
Stanley - EC, Do you teach sections yourself, or just coach? My major employer is *HEAVILY* into what they call "peer coaches."
EC - God bless elementary teachers!
aly - i enjo y teaching.. but i feel like i can not be 23 years old and go to a classroom every day.. its such a limiited life
critter - You must be very brave, EC. Teenagers are tough. I like the innocent little ones who don't yet know what attitude is.
EC - i am the reading specialist, teach the bottom of the 8th grade and mentor the rest of the time.
aly - i think i need to go out and experence life before i become a teacher.. i
EC - you know, I never think of teaching as limiting.
Stanley - aly, Because PA is a "4 yr" state CA would probably be interested in contracting you because you start off lower on the pay scale than do us natives.
Stanley - EC, so the wee ones drive you batty?
EC - don't stick with teaching unless you want it with all your heart.
aly - there is no carrer ladder.. and its the same thing day after day...
critter - me neither. You defiantely have to have a passion for it. If you don't enjoy your job then look elsewhere
EC - I think they would drive me batty, Stanley
EC - Aly, that's a shame. I've never had two days alike in 30 yrs.
aly - i hate how teachers get no respect
Stanley - aly, I find your comment interesting -- since I'm a 53 yr old change of career T! LOL!!
EC - Good for you, Stanley. You must really want to teach.
aly - well i am 21 and i am trying to decide if i want to teach
Stanley - But, EC -- they say so MANY outrageous things -- & totally innocently! {G}
EC - Aly, I hate to say this, but if you have to try to decide then you don't belong in education, I'm afraid.
critter - let me ask you all a question. Do you think that younger teachers get the same respect that "more experienced" teachers do?
EC - Respect is earned.
aly - no i think teachers in general get no respect...
EC - Experience really doesn't have much to do with it.
critter - most students make judgements based on the teacher's age
Stanley - EC, I've been a "teacher" in other things I've done, & I truly ENJOY kids, so I guess the fit is at least a reasonable one!
EC - Aly, are you talking about the students or the parents?
aly - i love kids.. but teaching ..
critter - well, I didn't want to offend anyone by saying older-you know what I mean?
aly - no respoect parents school students all of society
EC - Stanley, I think you've found the right career fit.
EC - Aly, why did you think you wanted to be a teacher?
aly - make a difference in the lives of students
EC - then go for it.
Stanley - aly, You say Ts get no respect. Do you mean from the Ss, parents, the community, or some combination of those? {WHEW -- should I have been a political pollster?}
EC - You can make a difference, but it may take a while
aly - yeah but i feel like being a teacher will give me such a limited life...
EC - Limited in what way?
critter - what do you mean by LIMITED, aly?
Stanley - aly, If you like kids, forget the "respect." With time you'll learn to "see" the way the kids give their appreciation to someone whom they feel CARES about THEM!
aly - limited.. no carre lader, don;t meet many people
EC - you shouldn't go into education to meet people
EC - but of course, you'll meet the greatest little people in the world
critter - lol, EC, good point
Stanley - Well, I meet my colleagues, I meet kids -- for me that's enough. Would it have been in my 20's? Possibly not...
aly - i feel like the work i do in college in MINDLESS
EC - probably is
EC - college is not the real world
aly - i don;t know i am beignnig to think i can do something better in my life..
critter - what is your major, aly?
EC - Better than molding minds? Name it.
Stanley - aly, Virtually ALL Ts **HEAVILY** lampoon their T.Ed courses!
aly - i am a BUSINESS MAJOR .. but i am getting certified in education too..
aly - i decided to do both.. two different directions..
EC - And you think business will be more fulfilling? boy, are you in for a shock.
aly - why?? i like the faced business world..
critter - have you worked in the business realm?
aly - i am jsut going though a hard time.. deciding
aly - YEs i had an internship this summer At SONY
critter - and did you like that better than what you are doing now?
Stanley - aly, It sounds to me like you should try the business option. With the dual major you can always give teaching a go later on.
aly - i loved it .. it was a great experience.. i learned so much from it
Stanley - Most reports I've heard say people will be doing even MORE career switching in the future.
critter - well then it seems youre answer is clear
Stanley - Welcome, Frank! Jump right in! Are you a new or beginning T?
Stanley - EC, does your site tend to use the SAME subs over & over again? Also, your subs generally PREFER to do MS?
critter - Ec, you got quite all of a sudden
Lili - Hi, are there any EC teachers?
EC - I agree, aly should give business a shot.
Stanley - I sub a fair amount of Primary, Lili, but that's about the closest I come!
EC - yes, we use the same subs over and over and they do like middle schoo.
Lili - Is there any Kindergarten teacher around here?
aly - watch i will be the next ceo
EC - Good for you, Aly. I can tell where your heart is and you should always follow your heart.
Stanley - Sub quite a bit of Kinder, Lili! I find when one Kinder T likes you, his/her colleagues also try to request you.
critter - well, ladies and gentlemen, it's been fun, but I have to go. Have a good night and good luck to you all.
Frank - I'm still going to graduate school, I've never taught a day in my life. This is the first time doing this, hello people.
Stanley - Lili, perhaps a post on the EC board would help? Also, do a search within that board for the key word "daily."
Frank - I'm still going to graduate school. I didn't know how to send a message.
EC - do you want to be a teacher, Frank?
Stanley - New messages post on the top, Frank. Plus, I find it VERY helpful to freeze the screen while "writing."
Frank - Yes, a high school history teacher.
EC - good for you
Stanley - Frank, hopefully it's changed at least somewhat, but as of 7 or 8 yrs ago there wasn't much demand in most areas for history...
EC - That's very true where I am, too. Know any math?
Stanley - Math & science are almost "gimmies" when it comes to a Secondary, or probably even a MS, contract. Agree, EC?
EC - Stanley, you are so bright. Special education is a growing area, too.
EC - Everybody needs reading specialists now, too
Frank - I know In the NewYork 5 boroughs the demand for teaching over the next 5 years is going to be tremendous. I just assume there will also be a need for history teachers. If not I can wait. I also own a business.
EC - That's true. We are losing 5-8 teachers per year now that we baby boomers are getting old and getting out.
Stanley - EC, I've done well subbing in SPED. But... I DON'T want to go back to school, plus there IS a shortage of SPED credentialed Ts -- just of those who want to continue to teach it! Most, if not all, claim it's a result of the paperwork!
EC - That's right. the paper work is something else, I hear.
Stanley - Ooops: Above I MEANT to post that there ISN'T a shortage of CREDENTIALED SPED T's -- just of those who are willing to continue to teach it!
Stanley - So Frank, you're in the N.Y. city area?
EC - It will be interesting in the next few years. We really need to attract people who want to teach and are good at it, regardless of the field. I worry about it.
Stanley - And EC, where are you located?
EC - I'm in northern Va.
Frank - I live on Long Island, so I'll be looking for work on the island or in the city areas.
Stanley - EC, I've NOT been impressed with the willingness of the "educrats" to take on people with experience in other fields -- if the educrats have options such as mid-20's types who are fresh out of school.
Frank - It It was great talking to you all, have a great night.
EC - Well, they better get used to it, if they want to attract the best.
EC - Bye, Frank
Stanley - Business isn't NEARLY as concerned [paranoid?] about bringing in people who MIGHT view things from a different perspective!
EC - Well, Stanley, it looks like we ran everyone off
EC - You are very right
Stanley - Well, EC, sorry to say this, but I've felt "educrats" are FAR more concerned about protecting their backsides than they are about agressively attacking perplexing problems.
EC - I agree
Stanley - Hey only the geezers left... right? {G}
EC - We always were tougher than the "young uns". LOL
Stanley - How long have you taught, EC? And have you done anything else as a career?
EC - this is my 31 year and I've been a teacher since 21. It's all I ever wanted to do and I'm having more fun now than at any other time.
Stanley - Hey, where I swim a friend is 87! Could probably pass for in his mid 60's!!
EC - I've always taught the kids no one else wanted and now I get to train new teachers, too. It doesn't get any better than this.
Stanley - Gee, that IS a great comment on the profession, EC!
Stanley - Have you always taught MS?
EC - It's a calling. I feel lucky to have spent my life doing exactly what I wanted to do and I have no regrets.
EC - always middle school, though two summers with high school kids and some consultant work with college classes.
Stanley - In your area does G-6 tend to be part of the MS's or elementaries?
EC - 1-5 is elementary and 6-8 is middle
Stanley - You know, I **ALWAYS** enjoyed kids, but I never considered teaching. Tough I did well in school, it was often stressful for me. Perhaps that's at least one reason I didn't consider teaching?
EC - Sometimes those that had the most trouble as students make the best teachers.
Stanley - This yr I've been working primarily in San Diego City Schools, I believe the nation's 8th largest district. We have a couple of schools that are NOTHING but G-6, others go K-6, & still others K-5. To borrow an expression from a friend, sometimes I think
EC - What is "G"?
Stanley - I didn't really have trouble, EC -- I just felt stressed about the whole process!
EC - I worded that poorly.
Stanley - {G} = Grin. Plus, I got off below: Sometimes I think this District doesn't know whether it's a foot or a horseback!
EC - Well, I think you win for lasting the longest. the dog is ready to go to bed and so am I. Take care and thanks for the conversation. Be well.
Stanley - And that was "got CUT off," not "got off!" Sheesh! {G}
Stanley - You too! Enjoy your 3 day weekend!!
Stanley - {{{ poof !! }}}
Chatboards Lesson Plans K12 Projects Teacher Blogs Mailrings Classified Ads Teacher Jobs Live Chat Live Meetings Articles Harry Wong Printables
Other Chatboards in this Category...
