Making the Decision to

Become a TeacherCreated by Brooke Kull, Lela Jacobs, Samantha Haga

and Lori Henderson

Introduction• Throughout the textbook So You Want

to be a Teacher? we’ve gained insight on many aspects of the teaching field and classroom. Globalization and education, the increase of diversity, curriculum, technology and more. But as we wrap up with the final chapter, we are now faced with the question, "Is this career really for me?” Chapter 10 assists those who are currently pondering their future as an educator. It provides resources, tools, and key questions to help us towards making the right decision.

Public Education

• Public Education is Education that is publicly financed, tuition-free, accountable to public authorities, and accessible to all students. The term covers various types of public schools, including traditional schools, vocational schools, and alternative schools.

Six Themes of Public Education’s Mission

• To provide universal access to free education.

• To guarantee equal opportunities for all children.

• To unify a diverse population

• To prepare people for citizenship in a democratic society.

• To prepare people to become economically self-sufficient.

• To improve social conditions.

How Technology Benefits the Classroom

• Learning is more powerful when students are prompted to take information presented to them in one form and “represent” it in alternative way. The technology now available for teaching and learning helps students do just that. When students create their own representations of information, they provide clues about their thinking and give teachers a view of the accuracy of their conceptions. 

• You have seen the importance of recognizing that there are multiple intelligences and different learning styles. Technology can help students integrate information from multiple modalities, ensuring that all students, no matter what their learning style, have the opportunity to grasp key concepts.

Praxis Series

• The Praxis tests are: The doctrine that when actions are based on sound theory and values, they can make a real difference in the world. “-Paulo Freire (1970)

The Three Types of Praxis

• The Praxis I tests measure basic academic skills in reading, mathematics, and writing. Usually you take these tests before entering your teacher education program or before your student teaching or internship.

• The Praxis II tests measure knowledge about specific subject areas and about principles of learning and teaching. Generally you take these tests when you complete your teacher preparation program.

• The Praxis III assessment focuses on the actual classroom performance. In states that require Praxis III, it usually takes place in your first year of teaching and leads to a higher level of certification. It includes direct observation of your classroom practice, review of a video or other documentation you send in, and interviews.

Five Core Propositions of the NCBT Professional Teaching

Standards

• Proposition 1: Teachers are dedicated to their students and learning.

• Proposition 2: Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to their students.

• Proposition 3: Teachers are able to manage and observe the learning of their students.

• Proposition 4: Teachers think systematically about what they do and learn from doing it.

• Proposition 5: Teachers are a part of learning communities.

American Federation of Teachers vs. the National Education Association

Founded 1857Provides job searches, tips

and tools for teachers, resources

Also provides workshops Offers a website with resources in addition

Has a history of protecting teacher’s rights as

employees Sets standards for those in

the teaching field3 million members

Founded 1916Affiliated with the American

Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial

OrganizationsIt recognized how important

it is for teachers to have their own organizationOffers a website full of

resources and additional educational information for

teachers Directly represents teachers in 43 states with 1.3 million

membersThey negotiate contracts for

teachers and employees

National Education AssociationAmerican Federation of Teachers

Teaching Portfolio

• What your portfolio should include:• Table of Contents• Introduction essay about yourself• Explain your philosophy on teaching and how you

believe it should be done• Describe your classroom management theory and

how you plan to carry it out• Comment on your teaching experience. What grades,

for how long, what you taught, etc.

Teaching Portfolio Continued

• Include any observation feedback you might have from a boss

• Provide samples of student’s work• Any photographs of you in the field working with your

students• Resume• Certificates• Awards• References

Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC)

• Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) is an organization that develops standards and principles to guide the preparation, licensing, and professional development of teachers. INSTACS’s members are state education agencies and national educational organizations.

Ten Principles for Beginning Teachers

• The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of injury, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

• The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.

• The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

• The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

• The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create to learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Ten Principles Continued

• The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and, supportive interaction in the classroom.

• The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

• The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.

• The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (student, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

• The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well-being.

Nine Tips for a New Teacher

• Learn as much as you can about your school environment

• Keep a journal

• Join a collegial group, and find a friend

• Find a mentor

• Remember that teaching is not telling

• Plan for creative experiences and activities

• To create a safe environment, show that you are human

• Be passionate

• Differentiate instruction.

Final Thoughts• After reading ten entire chapters full of new and exciting information

about the career I’ve been wanting to pursue since age 6, I can honestly say I’m the most eager I’ve ever been. Starting to read, it was a bit nerve-wracking but now I feel comfortable in my decision to further my career in teaching. A lot of my initial perceptions on teaching were confirmed throughout the textbook which really helped but there was also a lot of material that caught me off guard. I had a small idea of the increasing diversity and technology within classrooms, but I think the most difficult chapter to swallow was probably on curriculum and the principles of teaching. It can quickly overwhelm the reader with all of the challenging tasks that teachers face everyday. I’m definitely passionate, patient, enthusiastic, creative, supportive, willing and reliable but I’m also an over-thinker and a perfectionist and those could easily affect me as a teacher. Now, I will continue to pursue my degree in Elementary Education with an ultimate goal of receiving my Masters. Hopefully in two or three years, I’ll have my very own classroom full of cute little kindergarteners.

Conclusion• By the end of this chapter, we’ve reflected on our goodness of fit

for this field and where our inner passion lies. Teaching is a satisfying and enjoyable commitment for the right person who is willing. Chapter 10 revisits the material we’ve learned and also introduces future teachers to these topics and organizations:• Field Experiences• Certification/Standards• The Praxis Tests• INTASC Standards• The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards• Teaching Positions Here and Abroad• Tips for New Teachers• The American Federation of Teachers/The National Education

Association• Building a Teaching Portfolio

“You have to love kids and want to connect with them- because if you don’t connect with

kids, you will never be able to convey the materials; if you cannot feel the music, you cannot play the music…I can teach anyone about pedagogical strategies but I cannot

teach a person to love kids. And you can feel it in a classroom as soon as you walk in.”

-Christopher day (2004)

ReferencesTextbook:

Koch, Janice. So You Want to Be a Teacher?: Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2009. Print.

• Images:• Happy Kids. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Teachers Educate. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Public Schools. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Public Education Mission. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Clipart Computer. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Praxis Series. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Praxis Test Statistics. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Teaching Portfolio. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• INTASC. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• New Teacher. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Thought Bubble. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Teacher. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015• Happy Kids. N.d. Yahoo images. Online image. 3 Dec. 2015