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Resonate your identity with Naseeb journals. Express your opinions, share your thoughts, post your writings and connect with like minded people through the power of expression.
Resonate your identity with Naseeb journals. Express your opinions, share your thoughts, post your writings and connect with like minded people through the power of expression.
Starting out as a high school teacher
I have recently decided to go back to school to get my Masters in Education. My Bachelors degree was in English, so I hope to become a high-school English teacher. I have heard from some people that teaching high school students is a delight, and others have told me horror stories about it. Anyone who teaches high school, please feel free to share any of your stories of starting out as a high school teacher, how you felt, and what kind of experiences you had.
Comments on this journal
children are very psychic --- if they know you dread it, then they'll dread it
1. figure out a way to get more invigorated at the end of the day --- you may just need to eat a Protein Candy bar or something --- either way, body-wise, you're probably low on energy at this point, so a snack would probably help
2. make the children feel like you love seeing them ---- this can be hard, but if you need to force a smile, then force it ----- if they walk into the classroom, and see you angry, then most kids (I know this from being one) will try and push your anger even further ---- I don't really know why, but that's pretty much because kids like me were punks ---- however, I never did that with teachers who were smiling, mainly because I was already convinced that I couldn't throw them off their game
3. try not to exercise the authority/discipline stuff too much ---- if they see you doing this, then they'll challenge you and it creates a very negative classroom environment that's no fun for anyone
lastly -
pick out the kids who cause the most commotion in that class ------ consider talking to them, one-by-one, and ask each one of them what can be done to make class time more fun
once they give you their answers, then promise to make class more fun, provided that they behave better --- from there, create a partnership --- you'll now work together, as a team, to make learning fun and class more calm
if this relationship is established, and the kids feel a sense of respect being placed upon them, then they'll be quick to listen to anything you say ---- yes, they'll still act up a bit, but it'll be easier to ask them to quiet it down
one more thing ---- whenever you talk to a student --- never stand while they sit ----- always try to kneel down and talk to them (at the same level) or you can both sit down ---- standing creates a superiority-relationship, and kids are sensitive to that
I hope that helps --- that's always what worked for me
but keep your patience --- its tough to be in that environment, and our composures are constantly challenged
good luck!
I taught High School English and History as a tyro teacher in LA
I loved it! ---- I think this is mostly because I was one of the 'bad kids' in high school - thus, I knew that I could relate easily to any of the kids in my classes who were having a tough time - which worked out that way exactly
let's put it this way --- if you enjoy talking to teenagers and feel that you can relate well to them, then high school is for you --- the people who fail high school teaching are those who are intimidated by teenagers or can't relate very well -- it usually leads to miscommunications and feelings of disrespect
give it a try though --- in your master's program, you should have opportunities to do Elementary, Middle, and High school ---- try them all --- you'll know once you do them
good luck!
You simply cannot teach your religion to your students, or impose it on them. Separation of church and state means you cannot teach a religion from the context of your authority as a teacher, but it doesn't mean you can't say anything about it all.