Bei Maniago asked:


With just one click of a button, all the teacher jobs that are waiting for you out there are within your reach. Teacher jobs are now one of the most sought-after jobs around. The high demand for teachers is caused by a society’s need to develop. As the government seeks to improve the state of education, the need for more teachers increases. This is because teachers play a key role in the overall development and improvement of the society. The better skilled teachers are, the better education the children will get. We all know that the development of children nowadays have a direct effect on the future of every society.
There are a lot of teacher jobs around. There are primary teacher jobs, wherein an overall knowledge of the major subjects is needed. That, plus plenty of patience, of course, since primary teachers handle younger students. There are also secondary teacher jobs that require a different set of skills, but are more focused on a single area of specialization. Aside from these two kinds of teaching jobs based on the education levels, the teaching profession also has its own set of hierarchal levels. There are teaching assistants or assistant teachers, who are not considered as fully qualified teachers and work under supervision of qualified ones. Then, there are senior teachers who act as supervisors, but for specialized areas. These senior teachers are also like the department heads. This means that there should be senior teachers in Science, Math, and the like. The difference is that there should only be one department head.

Aside from more senior teaching posts, there are also senior non-teaching positions in the teaching profession. These non-teaching posts include the head teacher job, or the principal post. These positions are already relieved of their teaching responsibilities. Some head teachers may still carry a teaching load, but most of them don’t. Their focus is shifted to managerial and operational responsibilities. Such responsibilities are already directly connected to the state of the school.

There are also teachers for special education. Special needs teachers handle children with special needs, as the term implies. Such teaching positions naturally require a more complex set of skills. With all the teaching jobs available out there, if you are planning to enter the teaching profession, you might find it hard to choose which position is best for you. The best way to make the decision is to consider the things you enjoy, and the skills you possess. These will be your best judge of which teaching position you can fill.

Whatever kind of teaching job you can get, you will surely be handsomely paid. And that is true not only in the financial sense. You will also get a lot of opportunities to further advance in your career. Once you get a teacher job, a lot of doors will definitely open up to you. The hierarchy in the teaching profession also gives assurance that the teaching profession is an active profession. As you teach, you also learn. As your students grow, you also grow.



CHAD

Stephen Davenport asked:


Everybody knows who **** Ruth was. Millions watch the Jerry Rices of our world catch footballs and the Lance Armstrongs race through France. But how many people can name the winner of an award won by a teacher in their own community – if in fact there is such an award?

As a person who taught and administrated in schools for years and then consulted with teachers, I offer a plan for the reform of American education: make teachers into heroes, put them on a pedestal and celebrate the act of teaching for what it actually is: the most fundamental activity in our society.

But that’s obvious, you might say. Everybody knows that no one can get anywhere these days without a decent education and that the nation’s welfare depends on an educated populace. Well then, I ask, where’s the glory around teaching? Why aren’t teachers being interviewed on TV and radio? Why aren’t thousands of young people asking themselves, “Do you think I can get to be a teacher? Do I have what it takes?”

The reason that our culture doesn’t award hero’s status to teachers isn’t that we don’t recognize the critical nature of what they do; it is that most people think they could be good teachers. That’s a fantasy. Most people could not. We haven’t come to grips with how hard it is to excel in teaching, how rare the native talent that is required, how much there is to learn, how innovative one must be, and how self motivating to improve each year and not get stale in a job where there is no external change, no ladder to climb from one position to a new one. When we understand enough to marvel at a well taught class as we marvel at a successful heart surgery, we will see true reform. We’ll focus then on recruiting the best and brightest into teaching and training them and supporting them, not just with pay, but with respect. The teachers will do the rest. People who see themselves as heroes perform accordingly.

But people tend to see themselves as they are seen. Year after year in an annual workshop for experienced teachers, my co facilitator and I heard teachers tell stories about how in their parents’ eyes they were “only a teacher.” How hurtful! Surely, those parents were reflecting our culture’s opinion. All that parental love and care, all that money for college, had been in service of a different expectation.

We began to focus the workshops on celebrating the teaching profession, and helping the participants see themselves as highly skilled professionals providing a service without which everything would collapse: heroes. Some of them told us that the workshop is one of the reasons they stayed in the profession.

We need to do that on a national scale. For every breathless article about some twenty-year-old’s performance in a game the outcome of which changes the world not one jot, for every platinum recording of a song that very likely will be forgotten in a year or two, we need a feature on a teacher. Let’s put TV cameras into the classrooms where star teachers work, with an expert commentator the way we do sports and show what actually happens in a good classroom, the decisions minute by minute, the teacher makes. Instead of inviting some famous person to speak at the college graduation ceremony, let’s invite a local teacher whose work has opened doors for kids who otherwise would not have had a chance, some of whom will be in the audience. Give her the honorary degree. (Besides, she’ll probably make a better speech.) Prizes for teachers, parades for teachers, whatever works to surround them with glory. Then we won’t have to check up on them, treating them like children by endless standardized tests of their students. They will proudly hold themselves accountable to the highest standards.

Think about a culture in which pictures of teachers outnumber those of athletes on the walls of young peoples’ bedrooms and in which teachers are begged for their autographs. That’s a culture in which good schools will blossom.



ERVIN

Healthy Environment asked:


Teachers 40k-70k for working 8-9 months per year.
That’s way above the average American income (35k/year) for working 12 months.

Since teachers get so much vacation time why don’t they get a summer job & work 12 months like everyone else if they want higher pay instead of pleading with the politicians to raise their salary.

JOE

Don Alexander asked:


I’m a Kindergarten Teacher and my partner is very open to allowing me to “do things according to my own style” of teaching. However, statewide and nationwide that doesn’t seem to be the norm anymore, and it’s destroying teaching and student learning as we know it.

Just take a look at your own “best” teachers growing up. Didn’t they all kind of “do their own thing” rather than just read out of a textbook to peak your interest?

We’ve got to get back to letting teachers teach as they see fit! Would you go into a doctor’s office, and say hey, don’t use that knife, use the new one put out by Dupont, it’ll cut faster. Only this doctor is comfortable with this blade and has used it for years to set records for surgery and recovery time.

Yet, in in our education system, we are letting top officials tell our teachers exactly what to teach, when to teach it, how to teach it, and regimenting time slots for learning to spelling 30 min, math 60 min, etc. When does it ever stop? The newest one in our district is “there will be one hour of ELD” every single day and you will have a time slot for it, or you will be called to the carpet on it.

I’ve got news for all the government know-it-alls out there. None of us grew up with such regimentation, and the best teachers on the planet, aren’t going to stay regimented into instructional time slots and mandated teaching styles.

Listen to what my teachers did to forever leave their mark. There was Mr. K who had us do a virtual country simulation in the 5th grade. We all had to create our own country on paper. I think Mr. K was the only one who owned a computer at that time, and I think it was Bill Gates’ first ever PC. It had a black and white screen with gold letters on it. But Mr. K didn’t let that stop him!

Mr. K gave me the assignment of being the president of “Bilmore” the smallest of all the countries, and I was in charge of it’s military, it’s economy, it’s communication with other countries, and it’s budget. I was thrilled, and I had to learn about running a country in a big hurry!

Well, long story short, I, and my team of five other friends had to daily handle little papers or “memos” that Mr. K would hand us that were country challenges or rewards on a daily basis. Based on the fact that our country, “Bilmore” was the smallest geographically in the world, and the economy of some of the other countries was at risk, all of the other countries had written on their papers as a goal: Destroy Bilmore and take it over.

Well, I remember the day I received the paper from Mr. K that we had just had war declared on us by every single country, and that we were due to be attacked at 8am the following morning. Thus, as president, I was given the task, with our limited military (which did have a few good weapons, but a small fighting force) of protecting my country from a worldwide attack.

Well, I did what the best president’s have done in this situation, and I got some advice from the smartest person in my life: my best friend “Chip.” I called him, as young people do, on the phone as usual to see what’s up, and I explained this Bilmore problem to him, and my need to make a presidential decision. His quick intellect amazed me. Chip told me “Take five of your biggest tanks, and place them on the Islands out from the shoreline of each port. Then order them to fire at a missle that you will launch at the same time that will detonate over the oncoming armies. Follow that through the smoke with all of your best F-15 fighters and have them shoot through the fog, so that the oncoming armies will not be aware of how many fighters are shooting at them, fooling them into thinking they are being counterattacked by a massive air strike.

Then he said, take some submarines and place them underneath the water at the same time, but also have several smaller military boats on the top of the water, making it look like you are undermanned and outgunned, so that the armies will come close enough to the tanks to destroy the oncoming enemy.

Chip’s plan worked, and I ordered the tanks to fire at 8:00 am as five separate armies airborne and by sea attacked us full force. When the tanks fired they blew the first ships to smithereens and the smoke rose up higher than eyesight. I also ordered a full air strike by my best F-15 fighters, and they were all brand new planes, since we had such a small military force. The F-15’s destroyed a dozen or so planes in the smoke, and then every single army retreated due to the smoke screen and they took evasive maneuvers to retreat at light speed. I also ordered my submarines to fire as soon as their huge ships had our small boats in their radar.

I saved my country that day. Bilmore went on to thrive and also become one of the strongest countries in the entire world, because we done of the armies to surrender, and took over there entire economy, money, oil, everything. That country was the one who swore an oath to one another: “We will destroy Billmore.” Actually our F-15’s cut them all down from the south side of the country and they were forced to surrender at gun and helicopter point!

Anyhow, I said all this to just make a point, this “Country Simulation” took about two months to complete. Yet, when all was said and done, I hand hands on experience about how to run a country and serve it well as President and Commander-In-Chief!

We need to stop making our teachers teach according to the textbook, and teach toward these state tests and nothing else. No Child Left Behind has incredible goals, but the implementation of those goals may be creating students who are more like learning robots, than those who can really deal with society at large.

My point is to remind officials that we can no more take the individuality out of teachers, than we can to say “All kids can and will act the same.” Isn’t that kind of like Communism? Yet, it’s crept in, and here we are, as educators, being told that we “must increase test scores” at any cost.

Test scores will rise far above where they are now, when we give teachers the freedom to be themselves and yes, follow district mandates for increased test scores, but do it in a creative manner that only that individual teacher can express.

My next teacher I’ll never forget was Mrs. Mercer. She had us do an 85 page research paper in high school! I never had to do that big of a paper in college or in my masters program. She prepared us. She locked us into success because she believed in us. She taught us how to stand up straight and walk into a room. She had others comment on our posture and demeanor.

Mrs. Mercer wrote a reference letter to a future employer for me that I keep as a part of every resume package I’ve ever submitted. It said: “It is the Don Alexander’s of this world, that make it great. I’ve never seen someone before that exemplifies the term “gentleman” as much as Don Alexander does. Those words changed my life. Those words were the reason I graduated from college with a 3.9 GPA and went on to become a Teacher and an Assistant Principal.

Yet today, it seems in this mad world, we are so all consumed with test scores, test scores, and test scores! Yes, we need to score high on tests. But we also need to look harder at the individuality of the learner, and most of all the individuality of the teachers.

I fear God that if we don’t stop taking the individuality out of our teachers, we may become like some third world country that has no real direction or dreams for our students. If this is America, and we know that it is our country, we must defend it from those who would come into our classrooms, and force our teachers to teach how they see fit.

And…if we don’t do something quickly about it, it’ll be our grandkids that will suffer the most. Thus I urge you, write your congressman, get involved at School District Meetings, and do everything you can to insure that our teachers are not being told how to teach. That is the greatest “disservice” I can think of to our precious students.

Protect American education and vote this year for a candidate who will give teachers back their creative freedoms, but most of all, vote and pray daily for your child to get the Mr. K’s and Mrs. Mercers of this world, and pray that our government doesn’t do anything to discourage them from doing what they do best: “Teach.”



OLIVER

teacher_chick asked:


I am a newly qualified teacher and my lecturer would not answer this question saying that it would never happen? But how is he to know! What I want to know is the legislation in place or the protocol for teachers if a pupil is physically violent towards them. I know we cannot use physical force on a pupil but if they are posing a threat and hitting or throwing punches, surely we are allowed to do more than shield ourselves? I ask this because my sister is a nurse and has recently been the victim of a serious assault by a patient as she wasn’t allowed to restrain the patient?

LIONEL

Music Teacher asked:


Music education has been included in many curricula in different nations around the globe. However, since not all students are musically-inclined, not all of them are motivated to learn music. As a result, they are no longer excited to experience formal music schooling inside their classrooms. With this conflict of interests, music teachers are then challenged or pressured on how they could make their students learn and love music at the same time.

To basically adhere to the problem, they are determined to research the latest music teachers’ resources. Since both teaching and learning are two dynamic processes, music teachers and their students should meet half way – adjusting to the kind of individuals they are.

And because they are up to music education, these music teachers need to update their lists and records with the most modern trends and techniques, which are believed to be very effective and influential with the kind of students they have right now. From time to time, there could have been new music teachers’ resources that could improve their teaching strategies as well as their way of relating to their dear students.

Today, music educators incorporate theories and application to give a well-rounded musical experience and to teach music in various perspectives intended for international understanding. To meet many demands and expectations of their students, music teachers keep on upgrading their available music teachers’ resources by doing some researches over the Internet. In just a matter of few clicks, they would be aware of what is really the latest in the music academe as well as the newest style and approach in teaching that they can utilize in their everyday instruction.

The perceived effort to enhance music teachers’ resources also results in a greater number of students, who are now more motivated and determined to learn and love music. When their music teachers use some personal touches as part of their resources – sharing their own insights, thoughts and experiences on a particular topic, the learners become more eager to attend to their music classes and listen to their classroom discussions. This happens simply because they feel that they have something to relate to and such experience could also happen to them in time.

Indeed, teaching and learning music can be both fun and enjoyable. Just like in real life and in our daily activities, when we integrate music into anything that we do, it amazingly turns out to be more special and a lot of fun. After all, music gives most of us such inspiration and motivation to look forward to something better and brighter. Love music and enjoy tomorrow. 

This music education website offers many useful music teachers resources and tips. Visit it now.



TOMMY

askgriff asked:


I am a new 8th grade social studies teacher and I am interested in networking with other social studies teachers. I would like to exchange lessons, project ideas, movie suggestions, web sites, etc.

Does this sort of network already exist?

FREDDY

Music Teacher asked:


Many people who put their heart into music, put their business into music teaching. There are many fields of music education and if you are proficient in one or more you will surely find work. The first thing that a music teacher has to do is choose what he or she will focus on, be it an instrument, voice coaching, music theory or even music history. Next comes the time to assess your own knowledge on the topic. If you have a degree of Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education or Master of Music, you are probably comfortable enough teaching at any level. However if your learning did no go that far, you should be teaching at a more basic level. In any case, be sure you are qualified and are honest about your qualifications with your clients.

Consider also who you want to teach. Maybe you would love to help young children take their first steps in music. Or maybe you want to work with older kids or adults on continuing or just starting their education. Be sure you adapt your teachings and, if you need to, talk to pedagogues so you know how to deal with a child. The planning of the classes can be tricky and do not think for a second that only adults can spot if you did not prepare the lesson. A kid will notice and can get bored and even give up if they feel you are not making an effort.

Scheduling can also be difficult. Whatever you do, do not book more than one student for a time slot and try not to extend the lesson pass its designated time. It just screams that you are unprofessional. Remember during which hours kids are in school and are not available. Moreover, keep in mind that a 6 year-old attention span is not the same as a 16 year-old’s so the time which lesson takes depends very much on the student. It also depends on you personally and on your teaching method.

On that topic, there are a lot of different music teaching methods out there. One of the most popular is the Suzuki Method, but others include the Dalcroze Method and the Yamaha Method. Even if you choose not to follow any of these, it is very interesting to learn a bit about each. It will open your eyes and you will see your work under a whole new prism. In the end, you probably will take some directions from these methods, even if subconsciously.

These are the basics you should take into account when setting up as a private music teacher. Others are simple, practical choices like the place you want to teach, the prices you will charge and how to keep your financial books. However, most of it comes from practice and time. You are a music teacher, so you know that everything does.

 



SETH