Ask a Teacher Anything

Originally posted by starwarsisreal
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

Hi there I'm a Senior High School student preparing for college what's your advice for me because currently I'm clueless with what should I go in the future because right now I feel that there's nothing I can really do with the problems my generation will face in the future (debt, joblessness, etc) Also what kind of major and job should I go for

No one can answer this for you, I'm afraid. It's part of discovering who you are.

My advice: ask your guidance counselor for an aptitude test. This measures your interest levels and can give you an idea about jobs you might enjoy.

Start college taking mostly the required courses, and if you can do this at a community college do so. Make sure the courses will transfer, but this can save you thousands of dollars.

It's okay to change your major. My undergrad degree is in theology, and I even studied theological history at Oxford University. Graduated and realized I didn't want to spend my life debating theology. Decided to try my hand in medicine (which fascinates me). Realized very quickly that wasn't going to happen when I took my first chemistry test. It was very, very bad.

As far as secure future jobs, I think anything in health care is a safe bet. Engineering too, if you enjoy those subjects.

Best of luck to you!

Originally posted by speculativeoptimist
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

Wonderful gesture on your part teach, much thanks!

What is the current climate of PE(Phys Ed), as in is it a fleeting course or is it being supported and implemented still?
What percentage of lesson plans are taught via computer and visually these days? Are all classes equipped with computers these days?
I am sure you have noticed some declines in students abilities and attitudes and/or the school's academic approaches, but what are some of the positive differences you are seeing in today's kids/schools verses 10 years ago?

Thanks,
spec

PE. Kids don't get enough. In my school they have a week of PE every three weeks. Of course we give them recess time in elementary school, but not in middle school. In fact, I'm working with another teacher and we are studying the effects of recess in middle school. We haven't finished gathering data, but we are noticing a positive difference in the work and attitude of kids who get unstructured playtime.

Technology. I'm very lucky b/c my county has dedicated itself to making our classrooms tech oriented. Each classroom has an Activboard (an interactive smart board that you can do anything with). Each teacher has a county issued laptop we can take anywhere. Our schools are transitioning to Nooks; I predict textbooks will be gone in ten years. In my classroom I have four leap pad tablets I bought with grant money. The kids love using the tablets.

The awesome thing about the Activboard is that it engages all learners, not just visual or auditory learners. Kinesthetic learners enjoy interacting with the Activboard, etc. I use the Activboard for everything; show YouTube clips of yoga while we give it a try, interactive story problems and games, and so much more. Today's classroom doesn't resemble the classrooms I had, even in college.

The biggest difference I've seen is the apathy of the parents. It truly is heartbreaking that these parents could care less about their child graduating from high school, let alone college. The area I work in has a high crime rate, most adults are underemployed in unskilled labor, and receive unemployment assistance. The sad part is these parents are perfectly content with their situation and have no ambition. This is a HUGE generalization though.

Positive changes.... More technology is a definite plus.

Originally posted by zayonara
Exactly, I am afraid that school is becoming a "download" for kids. With all the control imparted by the system, the kids are at risk of being simply churned and burned. A teacher is now getting a much greater percentage of his or her time stolen, by having to meet the numbers. The trade off is less intimate time with the kids. Like the rest of this country, quality seems to be traded for quantity.

edit on 26-4-2012 by zayonara because: (no reason given)

Perfectly said.

Hey,Smyleegirl.
Thanks for starting this thread.

My wife has been in the education field for awhile now.
She started out in special ed,or another spin on it nowadays is ECE(exceptional childhood education).
Behavioral,learning disabilities and so on.
I can tell you some stories.
She is a step away from getting her doctorate in this field ,but is currently a specialist in administration,program specialist to be exact.

I haven't read the entire thread and promise to go back through it.

Peace

Originally posted by TLomon
Here is one problem that may be a bit out of your area. At my kids' school, the parents are the thing I worry about most - specifically, the parking lot before and after school. Parents are speeding, illegally parking, making illegal turns, all while talking on their cell phones. One of my son's friends was hit by a car two years ago while in a crosswalk and was hurt pretty bad. The school administration admits it is a problem, but seems powerless to control the situation. With cut backs, the police does not have the manpower to put up cars and start ticketing people for reckless driving.

Any suggestions? Thank you for your time answering the items posted in this thread.

Man, complaints to the police about kids and the dangerous situation they may face will get heads turning.
A little pressure goes along way and their presence will be there.

I feel that the Department of Education at the Federal level should be abolished, and the individual states should control their education. I also feel that teacher's unions have destroyed the quality of education by making it virtually impossible to fire bad teachers, especially if the teacher has tenure. What is your take on this?

I have a couple of nieces in elementary school. Parents seem to be able to choose among several public "charter" schools for each grade level. These "charter" schools claim to specialize in something glitzy, but it all seems to be B.S. For instance my niece was telling me about one of her elementary school friends who is "in robotics" I used to be a software engineer, so I know "robotics" is just a gimmick for that school to compete with the other gimmicky charter schools.

Also, when I was in elementary school we had recess 2 or 3 times every day. It doesn't sound like schools do that now. My happiest school memories were watching bees flying around the dandelions during recess.

Finally, has anybody ever considered bringing back the one room school house? I've noticed that home schooled kids seem to be better educated than public schooled kids. I think there might be advantages to putting kids of various ages and understanding in one room where they can teach each other.

Originally posted by OptimusSubprime
I feel that the Department of Education at the Federal level should be abolished, and the individual states should control their education. I also feel that teacher's unions have destroyed the quality of education by making it virtually impossible to fire bad teachers, especially if the teacher has tenure. What is your take on this?

edit on 26-4-2012 by OptimusSubprime because: (no reason given)

States do have control to a certain degree. But if the schools want federal funds then you have to comply with their mandates.

Since I personally dislike big government, I agree with you. Less federal mandates, the better.

I disagree with your premise that teachers unions have caused more harm than good. Our union in NC doesn't just focus on teacher's concerns; they also address classroom size, educational programs (like the Arts), funding, teacher pay, assistants and bus driver concerns, etc.

Of course it's politics so no doubt there's corruption.

I can only speak about tenure in my state, each state may be different. First of all, tenure only protects you when positions are being cut. For example, if our system loses fifteen positions, then those with tenure are most likely safe.

Tenure is not the wonderful protection many people think it is. A teacher can be fired at any time, regardless of tenure. In addition, we must undergo a license renewal every five years. This includes a letter of recommendation by the principal. If your principal thinks you are unfit, then that's that. No new license and no more tenure.

If Momma Cass Elliot shared half her ham sandwhich with Karen Carpenter, would they both be alive today?

Wow, this is great. My wife is a teacher assistant and she will have many questions for you. Meanwhile, can you tell me the best places on the web where you can get free lesson plans?

Thanks in advance !

Originally posted by Trueman
Wow, this is great. My wife is a teacher assistant and she will have many questions for you. Meanwhile, can you tell me the best places on the web where you can get free lesson plans?

Thanks in advance !

Man,if your wife is a TA ,it's all laid out and preplanned.
Not saying she would agree with some of the stuff,but to be within guidelines,if you know what I mean.
But if not,here are a few places.

www.discoveryeducation.com...

www.thinkfinity.org...

But it depends on where you are.

Say, I'm thinking of starting a tutoring company, a private school if you will. I sincerely believe that I can offer a better education than a private tutor, for lower rates than a private tutor. Topics will include typical undergraduate university fare, but targeted toward grade-schoolers. Very small class sizes, maybe up to 10. Is there demand for this in North America? Any advice on how to advertise?

My daughter just turned 5, she lost all interest in reading or painting or whatever. She only cares about playing video games, on pc, Ps3 or even on the mobile phone. I can't seem to get her attention to nothing else. Any advice??'
Thanks

reply to post by SoulVoid


Turn off the pc, Ps3 and even the mobile phone.

reply to post by SoulVoid


Take a weekend excursion,out in the wilderness. Go camping.

My kids forget about ALL electronics.........

reply to post by smyleegrl


What is wrong with the educational system in America?

reply to post by kdog1982


Thank you for those links. Will check them now.

Great thread. OP, being married to a teacher I can't comprehend how you have time to manage a thread like this? Are you still a teacher or retired/ on maternity or other. If not, my question is this. How do you do it?!

reply to post by smyleegrl


I have a fairly lame (by comparison) question, probably simply answered, but has always made me curious.

What is it teachers do when their students are on holidays? Students get two weeks each term, and then 6-7 weeks during summer (end of year for southern countries, middle year for northern), I was just curious as to whether it is still front up to work for you guys, perhaps for additional studies, lesson plans, etc, or do you take your annual leave at these times along with your classes? I know that is fairly lame to some of the questions asked here, but I have always been curious.

Originally posted by 74Templar
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

I have a fairly lame (by comparison) question, probably simply answered, but has always made me curious.

What is it teachers do when their students are on holidays? Students get two weeks each term, and then 6-7 weeks during summer (end of year for southern countries, middle year for northern), I was just curious as to whether it is still front up to work for you guys, perhaps for additional studies, lesson plans, etc, or do you take your annual leave at these times along with your classes? I know that is fairly lame to some of the questions asked here, but I have always been curious.

I would like to add my 2 pence worthe to this question. Teachers get so much stick with regards to apparently working 9 till 3 and having weeks off throughout the year. The truth of the matter is that teachers work so much harder than most other day to day jobs out there. My wife is a primary teacher and gets up at 6am, leves the house at 7.15 to get to school at 7.30. She prepare for the day until 8.45 when the pupils sit down. She then has to keep 30 8 and 9 year olds under control and occupied throughout the day whilst ensuring that they learn all they need to learn and progress at the right level. She also has children with special educational needs and behavioural problems thrown into the mix. At the end of the school day, she tidies the classroom and prepares it for the next day. Getting home at 5.30pm at the earliest after any meetings with parents, after school clubs or other jobs that need doing, she has time for dinner before starting on the marking, lesson plans and other parts of mountainous paperwork that needs doing. Then she may have an hour free before bed. At the weekend, more marking and lesson plans.

During the holidays, of a week, 2 days may be needed to be at school arranging displays, attending meetings and sorting out any issues. Term topics will need to be prepared, resources sourced and lesson plans completed. Then a few days of relaxation (catching up on seeing family and friends because she doesn't have them time during term time). The summer holidays is the only time long enough for a decent amount of time to get an actual holiday and some respite. I'm sure I've missed plenty but this will hopefully give you an idea!

Trust me, if everyone worked as hard as teachers do, the world would be a much more efficient place.