Notes
Chapter 1: Becoming a Teacher
Chapter Preview
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Looks at life through the teacher’s eyes
o Student-colored glasses: distorted view of what a classroom is like
Pros and cons of a teaching career
Do Teachers Like Teaching?
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Is teaching the right career for you?
o Is teaching a good fit?
NEA survey: 80% of teachers are satisfied with their jobs
o Collegial relationships
o Intellectual challenge
o Job security
o Classroom Autonomy
o Supervisors
o Resources (textbooks, supplies, copy machines)
Top Ten Things I’d Like To Change About My Job
o Salaries
o Poor working conditions
o Heavy workloads
o Extra responsibilities
o Discipline issues
o Negative attitudes from students
o Unresponsive administrators
o Lack of parental support
Nearly ½ of teachers leave teaching after five years
Professionalism at the Crossroads
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Many teachers feel that the in-class satisfaction is affected by outside-classroom reasons
o Political mandates
o Standardized tests
o Demanding parents
o Little parental support
o Textbook publishers
Education as a profession:
o Profession
 Are teachers professionals?
 Criteria for a profession (page 12)
o Semiprofession
 Criteria for a semiprofession (page 13)
 Does it describe teaching?
o Teaching is a career with potential and frustration
From Normal Schools to Board-Certified Teachers
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History of teacher preparation
From colonial America to the 20th century, teacher education scarcely existed
o Apprenticeship
o Indentured servitude
o “Sink or Swim”
o Secondary teachers received some college education in their subject area
 Teaching skills were not necessary
 Teaching was temporary employment not a career
o Normal School Education
 Rev. Samuel Hall started a private normal school in 1823 in Concord,
VT
 Provided formal teacher training
 Horace Mann-first state-supported normal school in Lexington, MA
 Provided two year teacher training
 Academic subjects and teaching methodology
o Teachers received less than professional treatment
o Teaching became a female oriented profession and held in low regard
As enrollment in school increased, so did the need for better trained teachers
o As teacher college attendance grew, state colleges began
o Colleges expanded their programs and began offering courses and career
preparation
1980s: Beginning of reshaping current education
o Tomorrow’s Teachers and A Nation Prepared
o Called for higher standards and increased professionalism in teachers
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
o Recognizes extraordinary teachers with high levels of achievements
o Identify board certified teachers: advanced recognition of a higher level of skills
and competencies
 Assessments, interviews, portfolios, pricey fees
 Stipends and higher pay scales
 Release time to work with new teachers
 Only 2% of teachers are board certified. Working? Failed attempt?
How Teachers Are Prepared Today
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There is no consensus on how to best prepare teachers
Education Preparation
o Traditional:
 Preservice program in which students study teaching and subject matter
and practicum
 B.A. and M.A.
 Obtain a state teaching license
 Graduate 5 times more students
o Alternative:
 On-the-job training
 Seek licensure through apprenticeship
 Assumption of subject matter knowledge
 Training and support is unconventional and controversial
 Fast-Track
 Teach for American, Teach ---- (NY)
 Work in distressed environments
o Tough classrooms
o Impoverished neighborhoods
 “Height of irresponsibility” ????
 Accompanying master’s degree teaching training
Views of Teacher Education
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What is your ideal teacher preparation program?
Education professors want to prepare teachers:
o Who are lifelong learners and constantly updating their skills
o Committed to teaching children to be active learners
o Who have high expectations of all their students
o Who are deeply knowledgeable about subject content they will teach
What do first year teachers consider most beneficial from their teacher training?
o Lesson planning preparation
o Use of instructional methods
o Classroom management techniques
o Student assessment
Urban Legends about Teaching
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“Teachers are born, not made.”
o Training and practice are needed to make a gifted teacher
“All you really need to know is the subject you are teaching.”
o Knowledge of pedagogy is necessary
 Outperform teachers that only possess subject matter knowledge
“Teacher education students are less talented than other college majors.”
o Teacher programs are stronger today than ever before
o Public holds high expectations
o Must pass national competency exams
Teacher education programs
o Emphasize current research as well as practical classroom skills
o Work closely with local schools
o Increased professional status
o Teacher influence over policies, procedures, schedules and curriculum
Southwest Airlines and Teaching
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Southwest Airlines: egalitarian corporate culture
Employee happiness creates customer happiness
o What traits are needed for successful teaching?
o Passion for job
We Like Questions
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The field of education is full of:
o Controversy
o Misperceptions
o Surprises
o Constant changes
Q: What steps can I take between now and graduation to make myself an attractive teaching
candidate?
A: Become informed about the job market
 Select appropriate courses and extra-curricular activities
 Special education/Bilingual education
 Race/Gender needs
 Education journals
 Job fairs, job sites
A: Make sure your coursework in planned carefully.
 Enroll in necessary classes
o Certification and Licensure
 Develop a “unique, competent and relevant academic background” (27)
A: Do not underestimate the importance of extracurricular activities.
 Career-related jobs
o Show interest and experience working with children
 Volunteer opportunities parallel future job choices
A: Begin networking.
 Network for information about employment opportunities
o Teachers, administrators, school personnel
 Let them know what jobs you are looking for and your skills and experiences that qualify
you for those jobs
o Don’t become a nuisance!
A: Begin collecting recommendations now.
 Rec. letters greatly influence employment decisions
 Don’t wait to begin collecting them!
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Places to get them:
o Extra-curricular activities, coursework, part-time employment, volunteer work
Ask for these letters before leaving
o People move, retire or even forget you!
o Draft key points
A: Develop a resume and portfolio.
 Resume: Central to being considered for a position
 Portfolios: Comprehensive reflection of a candidate’s skills
A: Make good first, second, third and fourth impressions.
 Participation in school activities
o Classroom observations, teacher’s aide, student teacher
o Observation handbook
 Good impressions-job offers
 Visits to schools are informal job offers
 Known people are preferred unknown people