Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 30, 2007 - 01:06.
I recently completed an educational program K-8 in a NCATE approved university. I am a non-traditional student and also a first generation undergraduate. I managed to finish with a 3.8 GPA and experienced four in-service experiences at four different elementary school settings. I sacrificed my cabinet-making profession with a $40,000 plus yearly income including 100 percent paid medical insurance for my spouse and I as well as 3 weeks of paid vacation in pursuit of becoming a teacher on a Native American Indian Reservation School District. After relocating near the reservation school where I desired to teach in order to perform my final student teaching assignment, reality pierced me in the heart. No opportunity was available for me in this remote area after I completed my student teaching assignment. I also felt alienated by the districts pace setting policies which left little room for the ideals and conceptions I learned from the school of education that I attended. Now I am working a job as an unskilled laborer for ten dollars an hour to make ends meet. I should soon be receiving my “Initial Teacher License” from the state where I received my degree however, in the time lapse since I have been out of the educational environment; about six months now, I feel unprepared to enter a class as a first year educator. Nevertheless, I am looking for a door to open that will give me exposure to a school environment where I may possibly teach. I am also looking into doing some self study in the field of mathematics that will give me an edge should a door become open. I am not putting blame on anybody for my circumstances what I am trying to emphasize is that pursuing a career as a teacher requires the perseverance of a coyote and faith that it will happen which I believe can only come through my "Teacher" who gives me strength Jesus Christ my LORD. I am also thankful that I stumbled onto the teaching ideals from Edutopia which deviate from the norm; my hope is that America will experience an educational reformation that will enable more teachers to implement programs that utilize ideals such as Edutopia's into their curriculum.
First year teacher preparedness
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 30, 2007 - 01:06.
I recently completed an educational program K-8 in a NCATE approved university. I am a non-traditional student and also a first generation undergraduate. I managed to finish with a 3.8 GPA and experienced four in-service experiences at four different elementary school settings. I sacrificed my cabinet-making profession with a $40,000 plus yearly income including 100 percent paid medical insurance for my spouse and I as well as 3 weeks of paid vacation in pursuit of becoming a teacher on a Native American Indian Reservation School District. After relocating near the reservation school where I desired to teach in order to perform my final student teaching assignment, reality pierced me in the heart. No opportunity was available for me in this remote area after I completed my student teaching assignment. I also felt alienated by the districts pace setting policies which left little room for the ideals and conceptions I learned from the school of education that I attended. Now I am working a job as an unskilled laborer for ten dollars an hour to make ends meet. I should soon be receiving my “Initial Teacher License” from the state where I received my degree however, in the time lapse since I have been out of the educational environment; about six months now, I feel unprepared to enter a class as a first year educator. Nevertheless, I am looking for a door to open that will give me exposure to a school environment where I may possibly teach. I am also looking into doing some self study in the field of mathematics that will give me an edge should a door become open. I am not putting blame on anybody for my circumstances what I am trying to emphasize is that pursuing a career as a teacher requires the perseverance of a coyote and faith that it will happen which I believe can only come through my "Teacher" who gives me strength Jesus Christ my LORD. I am also thankful that I stumbled onto the teaching ideals from Edutopia which deviate from the norm; my hope is that America will experience an educational reformation that will enable more teachers to implement programs that utilize ideals such as Edutopia's into their curriculum.