S/O from MCPS Troll Playground to Thoughts On Becoming a Teacher

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a rising senior in one of the MCPS magnet programs; she has a near perfect unweighted/weighted GPA; has scored only 4s or 5s on several AP exams taken so far; and has received no score lower than a 700 on any portion of the SAT exam. She's looking at colleges and focusing on those that have "good education programs" because she wants to be a teacher (in particular, or at least for now, she wants to be a primary school teacher so that she can teach kids how to "read and write" -- two of her greatest joys). It seems to me that the MCPS Troll Playground thread has evolved into an interesting discussion about the teaching profession . . . So I'd like to hear from others (teachers in particular) who may not be following that thread on whether, if you were in my position, you'd encourage your child to pursue teaching as a profession or would you push them toward another profession.

[Anonymous]

She needs to find out the pros and cons for herself. Quoting us bats on DCUM to her isn't going to convince her. And while there's a chance that, years from now, she'll thank you for dissuading her from going into teaching, there's probably a greater chance that she'll be resentful that she wasn't allowed to at least try it out.

Fortunately, you can let her experiment with teaching, and learn the pros and cons on her own, while saving room for her to change her mind. Namely, you are within your rights to insist that she find a college with a good teaching program AND other very good programs. Not just Teacher State. FWIW, we're sort of in the same boat, with a DD (a rising senior in a MoCo magnet, no less!) who is interested in a different low-paying profession. It was pretty easy to sell DD on the idea that she needs to keep her options open by choosing a college that is excellent in many different areas. And not just to apply to teacher state or the music conservatory or the bachelor of architecture program or the MFA fine arts program, from which there would be no easy escape. Yes, this rules out some good schools (including the one Ivy where she's a legacy). But she'll have flexibility, and there are some really good schools in the remaining mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She needs to find out the pros and cons for herself. Quoting us bats on DCUM to her isn't going to convince her. And while there's a chance that, years from now, she'll thank you for dissuading her from going into teaching, there's probably a greater chance that she'll be resentful that she wasn't allowed to at least try it out.

Fortunately, you can let her experiment with teaching, and learn the pros and cons on her own, while saving room for her to change her mind. Namely, you are within your rights to insist that she find a college with a good teaching program AND other very good programs. Not just Teacher State. FWIW, we're sort of in the same boat, with a DD (a rising senior in a MoCo magnet, no less!) who is interested in a different low-paying profession. It was pretty easy to sell DD on the idea that she needs to keep her options open by choosing a college that is excellent in many different areas. And not just to apply to teacher state or the music conservatory or the bachelor of architecture program or the MFA fine arts program, from which there would be no easy escape. Yes, this rules out some good schools (including the one Ivy where she's a legacy). But she'll have flexibility, and there are some really good schools in the remaining mix.

I agree - she should get a good-quality liberal arts education, and if she wants to pursue teaching, go on for an MA in Education. She should not go to Teacher College for a BA in elementary ed (or whatever).

[Anonymous]

15:58 again. A good choice might be an excellent college that would let her take at least a few teaching courses at the undergrad level. This could potentially save your DD from wasting two years in grad school, if she decides she doesn't like it after all.

[Anonymous]

This is a loaded and unbalanced question. I'm a career educator. I've taught elementary school (briefly), middle school (most of my career) and now college/graduate students.

I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. If your DD is anything like me, then teaching is in her blood and it is the only thing that will truly challenge her.

(And, since you posted your DD's scores and before anyone asks, I scored a 1600 on the SATs, back in the day, and went full ride to an Ivy for hard science. I have 3 master's degrees and am an ABD grad student now. I don't think these are the be all and end all of me, but I'm very aware that in DC, anyway, people care about this, so there it is.)

I think my point is you would do well by encouraging her to be a teacher because pushing her elsewhere (and citing her scores) without understanding whether or not she is truly committed to teaching will only alienate her. If she sees teaching as a past time, well, that is a different story. What kids need now are committed teachers and what young people like your DD need are interesting and compelling jobs.

Will she make a lot of money? Of course not. But if she is a real teacher, she will love the work and the challenge so much that she will make things work and have a very happy life.

[Anonymous]

Glad to see this thread. My DC also wants to be a teacher, and is already at a selective liberal arts college pursuing an education minor, and plans to do the MA. My question is about employability. I see some teachers on here complaining that they can't find jobs. At the same time we know people who have become teachers as a second career and schools were anxious to hire them despite not having the education background. What makes a teacher employable these days?

[Anonymous]

never in a million years

I have already told my daughter that if she decides to head into education, I will not pay for college.

I will not have her feel like a failure after hearing how the public views our profession. If you read through these threads, you'll see so much teacher bashing that it's almost impossible to feel good about what we do.

no way in hell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:never in a million years

I have already told my daughter that if she decides to head into education, I will not pay for college.

I will not have her feel like a failure after hearing how the public views our profession. If you read through these threads, you'll see so much teacher bashing that it's almost impossible to feel good about what we do.

no way in hell

You sound like a teacher yourself? FWIW, lots of us have a great respect for teachers. Sometimes I think it's a 1-2 trolls posting over and over and poisoning DCUM threads. (The kind of troll who assumes anyone not raking in the dough must be a loser.) Besides the demoralizing impact of DCUM and maybe some parents, are there other things you do like about teaching?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:never in a million years

I have already told my daughter that if she decides to head into education, I will not pay for college.

I will not have her feel like a failure after hearing how the public views our profession. If you read through these threads, you'll see so much teacher bashing that it's almost impossible to feel good about what we do.

no way in hell

In other words. "what would the neighbors say"? "We would be the black sheep of the community"!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:never in a million years

I have already told my daughter that if she decides to head into education, I will not pay for college.

I will not have her feel like a failure after hearing how the public views our profession. If you read through these threads, you'll see so much teacher bashing that it's almost impossible to feel good about what we do.

no way in hell

In other words. "what would the neighbors say"? "We would be the black sheep of the community"!

Are you're attempting to state that I'd be embarrassed by my daughter's chosen profession? If so, you're absolutely wrong. I mentioned the public's demoralizing perception of our profession, and you, PP, have solidly supported my original statement with YOUR two statements above.

thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:never in a million years

I have already told my daughter that if she decides to head into education, I will not pay for college.

I will not have her feel like a failure after hearing how the public views our profession. If you read through these threads, you'll see so much teacher bashing that it's almost impossible to feel good about what we do.

no way in hell

OP here. Putting aside how the "public views our profession," are there any other reasons (that you're willing to share) for telling your own daughter not to head into education? Also, assuming you're a teacher, what motivated you to enter this profession and why have you stayed (or why did you leave)?

[Anonymous]

OP, it looks like you're looking for reasons to tell your DD not to head into education. If you'd care to share your own concerns (burn out? low pay? little respect? she should be "saving the world" as Secretary of State instead of one kid at a time?), then perhaps you might get some more focused answers.

Conversely, is there anything DD has expressed that makes you think she might be a great, or not-so-great,teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it looks like you're looking for reasons to tell your DD not to head into education. If you'd care to share your own concerns (burn out? low pay? little respect? she should be "saving the world" as Secretary of State instead of one kid at a time?), then perhaps you might get some more focused answers.

Conversely, is there anything DD has expressed that makes you think she might be a great, or not-so-great,teacher?

No, I'm not "looking for reasons . . . not to head into education." Instead, I posted an open-ended question to get the views/opinions/thoughts of others (in particular, teachers) on what they would do if they were in my position -- i.e., the parent of a student who is most/more interested in becoming a teacher but whose academic profile (equally strong in math/science as in language arts) would allow her to pursue other interests as well. I was very intrigued by the poster who replied "hell no" -- and so followed-up in the hope that he/she would be willing to expand on that reply. By the way, thank you to all the other posters too -- you've provided just the type of information I was looking for in switching over this thread.

[Anonymous]

My wife is a teacher and there are times it is not easy. There are the things you expect, having to stand 7 hours a day, children being children, school bureaucracy, difficult parents, etc. Then there are the things I had not given a lot of thought to: consoling a child who is crying in class because his father died, helping a child who is very smart but acts out for attention and his parents just don't give a damn, and helping children who just lack basic things -- she keeps food in her classroom because some of the students come to school hungry (even with school provided breakfasts for students in need, there are still many who don't participate in the program), she buys clothes for children who are wearing clothes they no longer fit into because it is all the child has and always has hats a mittens for children who show up at school without during the winter.

However, I don't think she would trade her job for anything. Her students inspire her and she gets a real sense of satisfaction helping her students grow and expand their horizons. And there are some students who are just pips. She has some really funny stories about the things kids say and do. She talks about her kids all the time and what they are doing. So much so that I have my personal favorites -- the ones who do or say something funny. Last year she had to deal with a boy who got into a trash can (I'm still unclear why a third grader would do such a thing) and would not get out. After three warnings she said fine, if you want to stay in the can you can't do it here, so I'm taking you to the office, and then she started to drag the can toward the door. The boy did not expect that move and hopped out of the can and went to his desk.

She may not make a lot of money, but she has the opportunity to make a difference in another person's life. She was motivated to become a teacher by a teacher. The teacher who noticed her learning disability and helped her overcome it.

She had a strong academic record in high school, college and grad school. Her undergrad and grad schools were ranked among the top 25 universities by U.S. News.

PPs have indicated that smart people don't bother pursuing teaching careers, but that is not true. While not every exceedingly bright person becomes an educator, many do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it looks like you're looking for reasons to tell your DD not to head into education. If you'd care to share your own concerns (burn out? low pay? little respect? she should be "saving the world" as Secretary of State instead of one kid at a time?), then perhaps you might get some more focused answers.

Conversely, is there anything DD has expressed that makes you think she might be a great, or not-so-great,teacher?

No, I'm not "looking for reasons . . . not to head into education." Instead, I posted an open-ended question to get the views/opinions/thoughts of others (in particular, teachers) on what they would do if they were in my position -- i.e., the parent of a student who is most/more interested in becoming a teacher but whose academic profile (equally strong in math/science as in language arts) would allow her to pursue other interests as well. I was very intrigued by the poster who replied "hell no" -- and so followed-up in the hope that he/she would be willing to expand on that reply. By the way, thank you to all the other posters too -- you've provided just the type of information I was looking for in switching over this thread.

Your say your daughter wants to pursue teaching even if, as you suggest, her academic profile could lead her in other directions like math or science. But you haven't said (so far) she has a passion for any other subjects besides teaching. We're just going on the info you've provided, so if she also has a passion for veterinary science, that would be good to know, but so far you've given no indication of any interests besides teaching. Honestly, from your posts here, which admittedly is all we have to go on, it seems like you do have reservations about teaching. I'm not the only poster who thinks your original post wasn't open-ended, instead I agree with 16:27 who said it seemed a little "unbalanced." Similarly, being "equally strong in math/science" isn't a definitive argument for doing pre-med or physics, instead it's also potentially another argument for teaching math/science. There's nothing wrong about having reservations about teaching. And maybe you really don't have any reservations. But if that is indeed the case, then you need to own it, and ask yourself why. The questions above seem well-intended, and directed at pin-pointing what teachers could address for you.