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Education

In reply to the discussion: Why did you become a teacher? [View all]

Igel

(35,197 posts)
7. Why did I become a teacher?
Wed Jul 24, 2013, 10:51 PM
Jul 2013

I was teaching summer school at a university.

Had a student who was going to be a 4th year senior in the fall, a student who was going to be a 5th year senior in the fall, and an incoming frosh.

The two seniors were functionally illiterate. Why, I thought, was I trying to teach them Russian literature in translation when they couldn't write a coherent sentence, when one stumbled over the word "can" and couldn't sound out "Brooklyn", and neither of them were keeping the journal that was going to be 30% of their grade? I asked the administration where to get help for them and was told that at a Tier I university what I was describing was quite impossible. And to stop asking embarrassing, hurtful questions.

The incoming frosh was great. She went through an IB program. The two seniors were football players.

So I entered an ACP, figuring in high school I could spot and get help for students. Did the student teaching gig. Physical sciences. Sent out perhaps 10-15 applications, got a job on my second interview a couple of years ago during the Great Teacher RIF of 2011. Turned down a third interview minutes later. Still at the same school.

Wife was similar, did the same program, she got a job offer on her way to her third interview.

Why did you become a teacher? [View all] chervilant Jul 2013 OP
That was a great article. femmocrat Jul 2013 #1
Subbing would be fine, chervilant Jul 2013 #3
Few people can survive on sub pay duffyduff Jul 2013 #5
This fall, I'll be in my 7th teaching position for 10 weeks or longer. knitter4democracy Jul 2013 #2
I hope so, too! chervilant Jul 2013 #4
Why are you still subbing and not trying to go into another field? duffyduff Jul 2013 #6
I know this is old--sorry. Been busy. knitter4democracy Jul 2013 #9
You don't have to tell me about teaching. I have been there. duffyduff Jul 2013 #10
I've been a teacher since 1997. knitter4democracy Jul 2013 #11
Why did I become a teacher? Igel Jul 2013 #7
Your experience gives me hope. chervilant Jul 2013 #8
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