Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with teacher

Becoming a teacher in NYC: UTR or TF program?

bengarland — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:00:04 -0800

NYC Teaching Fellows vs Urban Teacher Resident? Does anyone have experience with either of these programs? I'm considering the NYC Urban Teacher Resident program. It is similar to the NYC Teaching Fellows program (with a few key differences listed below).

Has anyone done either of these programs? Do you have any advice for the application process? How did you like the program? Would you do it again? Was teaching in NYC a total nightmare? Anything you can tell me would be helpful.

I have a BS in Horticulture and an MS in Crop Science. I am also a veteran. Will my advanced degree and experience help my application at all? I want to be a science teacher.

[I have read this article and have also found several blogs of NYC teachers, but none that are NYC TF specific. If you know of any, please post the links.]

FYI, as it was explained to me by the UTR people, the main differences between the UTR and NYCTF are:

- The UTR MS Ed. program is shorter (14 months vs 24 months)
- UTRs get a lower salary (~$23k vs ~$43k) during the program
- UTRs are guaranteed a job when finished (at "level 2" pay as well)
- UTRs get on-the-job training for 1 year (vs being thrown into a classroom)

let's NOT do goldilocks, for once.

acidic — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:26:11 -0800

Help me, a teacher, help my energetic, funny and amazing 10-year-old EFL students write and direct a pair of plays. I've been put in charge of a drama club at my school in Korea. We've got 4 weeks to brainstorm, write, rehearse, and film two plays. I have six students, and while they will each act in both plays, they will be written by groups of three. We did some brainstorming and we came up with the following ideas:
1) A crew of superheroes and magical people who have lost their powers-- a comedy
2) A normal school populated by a group of scary people (zombies, ghosts, etc)
but these aren't set in stone. They're a VERY, VERY active group of kids-- at any given moment usually four of them are jumping on their desks. They wanted to do a fighting play (with fake guns?) but I wasn't sure if that was appropriate.

Their English is not strong, so I'm planning to write a plot and help them develop it into a simple script. Trouble is, I know next to nothing about creative writing (especially for children), and I have never really been involved in anything dramatic. How do I develop these ideas into storylines that use all 6 students equally? How long should the script be if we're to tackle it in a month? We have fifteen 40-minute sessions, and the kids are quite hard to control.

(I'm not NECESSARILY asking for you to come up with a brief storyline, but if anything cool comes to mind......)

Teacher pretends to be a student on the first day of class: where is this idea from?

solipsophistocracy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:37:59 -0800

It is the first day of class and the instructor does not show up. The members of the class discuss their options, and when the first person starts to leave, one of the "students" stands up and announces that she is in fact the teacher. Is this a campus legend? A scene from a sitcom? An actual demonstration? I know that I've heard of this before, but I can't remember where. I have spent a lot of time with ole goog, but to no avail. Where can I find out more about this exercise (or a fictional depiction of it)?

I'm teaching a cognitive science class this summer, and I have always sort of wanted to do this. I get mistaken for an undergrad pretty frequently, so I think I could pull it off appearance-wise.

It's an upper level class, and probably not too big (20-30 students), so I think there would definitely be at least some discussion before the first person decides to leave. I can see how this could go horribly wrong as far as setting the tone for the teacher-student relationship is concerned. On the other hand, I think it might also provoke a neat discussion about information processing under conditions of uncertainty.

If you've had an experience like this, please share it.

Where can I learn more about any sort of precedent for this kind of exercise?

Note: I'm not talking about the anthropology professor who enrolled as an undergrad and posed as a student for a semester. I'm looking for info on an in class demonstration.

Dr. Awesome

abirae — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:05:49 -0800

Do you know an amazing primary care physician in NYC? What makes them amazing? Do you think they'd be interested in mentoring a student? Greetings MeFites!

I'm hoping you could let me know about the particularly great primary care physicians you have known and loved in NYC. Maybe it's your physician. Maybe you have a friend or colleague who you respect and admire. Maybe they would like to mentor an eager student....

I'm a first year medical student seeking a primary care mentor to shadow in the spring, and I'm hoping you can help me find some doctors who may be interested. But even if you don't know someone who would be interested in mentoring a student, I'd like to know what makes a doctor outstanding for you.

For me, a great doctor is compassionate and goes the extra mile for their patients. I can tell you that one of my favorite physicians always took the time to explain how she came to a diagnosis, why she chose a particular drug, and when she saw that I was curious about my condition, gave me primary literature related to my illness. That was a really nice touch.

In terms of mentors, I would like to find someone compassionate who cares for interesting and diverse patients. Originally I wrote out a list of qualities I'd like to see, but on reflection I'm much more interested in hearing what makes a doctor great for you.

Also, someone on MeFi mentioned a "Rock Doc" in the East Village who works on a sliding scale with a great many uninsured artists and musicians who sounded like a mench, but I'm having trouble finding the post right now.

And if you recently heard someone say "Goodness! If only I had an opportunity to pass on my knowledge and wisdom, compassion for patients and general awesomeness to a medical student!" well then you know who to call.

What kinds of questions do I ask during a parent/teacher conference?

lynnie-the-pooh — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:58:23 -0800

What kinds of questions should I ask my daughter's Kindergarten teacher during a parent/teacher conference? I'm trying to formulate some good questions to ask. One thing I will ask is.............is there anything specific I can do at home to help her. Also, she can read at the first grade level, or at least it seems that way to me. Should I ask the teacher if she could be put into an advanced reading class next year?

Is it realistic to ask to move to Rhode Island?

Arch1 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:36:32 -0800

May need to ask spouse to move to RI. He's a teacher; anyone able to help provide some insight? Husband teaches six grade at "Nerdvana" in MN. My very good job (both in terms of financial remuneration and satisfaction) is heading to Providence, specifically Woonsocket, RI. I believe his teaching certification would transfer-- he has a Master's-- but realities may be different. Any mefites have info on teaching in RI or nearby areas/states in driving distance? If it would help to have the detail: he's taught classical education model (including logic, Singaporean math, Beowulf) with tremendous success for five years, as well has having years with regular classrooms.

Answers will help me determine if I should even be considering this. Thanks!

Awesome shoes that don't make my knee hurt! Please!?!

roxiesmom — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:50:23 -0800

Best shoes for a P.E. teacher with a bad knee. I am a P.E. and am on my feet all day (obviously, lol). I have had 3 knee surgeries on my left knee, one for a torn ACL, the second was for torn Meniscus (have no Meniscus on Lateral side of my knee), and the last for to remove my Medial Meniscus and repair my ACL again.

This makes things difficult in finding shoes, I need shoes that are not going to hurt my knee and not make my feet hurt. It seems as though I can find some that do not hurt my knee but never some that do not make my feet hurt.

Since I am a P.E. teacher the shoes need to be sporty shoes (tennis shoes). Any suggestions on the best brand/style of shoes that would be good for my bad knee. I have already tried to expensive Dr. Scholl's insert at Wal-Mart and they make my knee hurt. I currently have Adidas brand Micro-bounce shoes.

I have no insurance so I can't go to a foot doctor or anything like that. But I should have insurance within the next year if that matters.

Help me help my teacher help my kid!

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:02:12 -0800

My 4th grader is in her first year of a program for gifted children. It is a competitive program, at a school outside our district, and acceptance was based on advanced language, reading, writing, and "liberal arts" ability. I thought my daughter's gifts -- all of which match the description above -- would be nurtured here. But I have been dismayed to realize that all her teacher cares about is that her desk is messy and her handwriting isn't neat enough. My child has sensory issues that do in fact make it harder for her to keep her things organized. But how can I talk to the teacher about focusing more on her gifts -- which is supposed to be the mission of this program? (Sorry, this is long.) Early in the year, I had a special meeting with the teacher, who had been complaining about my kid's messy desk and general problems with organization (forgetting things, writing things in the wrong notebook, etc.) I explained about "Janey's" sensory integration issues and how these do make it harder to be organized BUT I stressed my support for the teacher -- I know it's hard to deal with messiness in the classroom with 25 kids, AND I know it's important for Janey to improve her basic organizing skills. I said I would do anything to help Janey get organized. I also requested that the school send in the Occupational Therapist to observe my daughter and see if she qualifies for services (an IEP). So far that hasn't yet happened, though I've twice reminded the principal.

On the application for this program, we were asked about the child's creativity, originality, intellectual drive, etc. No one asked if she had a messy desk or messy handwriting. But literally, that is ALL Janey is hearing about from the teacher. When she writes for school, the papers come back only with the handwriting criticized -- even though her handwriting has improved a lot and I see her working so hard at being legible. (For example, on a spelling test, all the "fs" were circled in red because the horizontal line did not *completely* bisect the vertical line; the teacher graded the whole paper down because it looked like a capital F in the wrong place. I have also seen very little actual writing being assigned, and none commented on -- mostly just spelling and handwriting -- even though it is supposed to be a program that specializes in advanced liberal arts.) On open house night, I saw a poem Janey had written on the wall of the classroom (along with all the kids' poems). It had sophisticated humor, a sustained narrative and the most complex meter in the class. But the only praise I heard was that that the janitor was happy that Janey's desk had been cleaned up last week. When I pointed out how good the poem was, the teacher said the class liked the fact that Janey had set it to a tune, and then the teacher just said all the kids' poems were good. This is the closest to praise that I have heard for any actual content of her work (and I feel I dragged it out of her). My daughter feels the teacher is making her seem "different" to the other kids, saying things like "Jane's desk is messy, she has to stay behind but the rest of you can go," etc.

I am really upset, because at least in the past, she's had teachers who delighted in her unique way of seeing and her huge enthusiasm for ideas. It is ironic that here, in a special ed for the gifted, her very real gifts are totally being ignored and she is just being made to feel like she gives the teacher extra work (because, for example, she put her backpack in the place of the closet where lunch boxes go, or has trouble being slow gathering up her books to move to math class in another part of the building). Really, *nothing* about Janey's true abilities seem encouraged or appreciated. The teacher has been a beloved teacher for 25 years, but this is only her second year teaching in the gifted program. She calls herself a "domestic goddess" to the class, so I get that messiness drives her nuts. When I talked to her early in the semester, she seemed to really want to work with my daughter to help her succeed, but she doesn't seem get this kind of gifted, quirky kid (who is the daughter of a domestic un-goddess). She just called my kid a "handful" and then raved to me about my Janey's friend in the class, who is methodical and neat as well as quite conventionally smart. I do understand that it feels like a handful to have a disorganized kid slowing things down (she is certainly not in any other way a behavior problem.) But I see my child's self-esteem about her real abilities plummeting, and this is precisely what I did NOT expect when we applied to the gifted program. It's frankly breaking my heart.

Here is the question. Please help me think of a way to talk to this teacher so that my daughter's strengths might be brought to the fore -- not just her weaknesses. Again, I am not trying to get the teacher to overlook a messy desk or an improperly crossed F, and I agree that my kid should work on these things, but I want the teacher at least to FOCUS on the gifts, which are ostensibly the raison d'etre of the program to begin with. How can I approach her so that she does not feel attacked and take it out more on Janey?

Any advice, especially from teachers, is very, very appreciated. This is in a large university town in the midwest, which doesn't have a regular gifted and talented program -- just this special program, which is hard to be accepted to, and where many professors (like me) send their children.

I need help spicing up second grade.

HotPatatta — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:40:03 -0800

Since I don't necessarily care if I get fired at the end of the year, what can I do to make this a memorable and completely awesome school year for my second graders? At this point, I'm planning not to continue teaching once the current school year ends in June. Since I don't want another teaching position after this, getting a stellar end-of-year performance review isn't a concern (I also have former supervisors who can vouch for me). I want to end this part of my life on a high note, so what are some kick-ass short- and long-term projects, crafts, songs, lessons, books for story time, and field trips (New York City) that are low-to-no cost and that will make this one of the most memorable years of these kids' lives? I'll have to cover all costs myself--the kids all live in abject poverty--so anything that requires very little capital investment and parental involvement would be preferable. Supplies I already have: two computers, a laser printer, a stereo, an overhead projector, rolls of butcher paper in a wide assortment of colors, basic craft supplies, and a switchblade I confiscated.

I'll give you extra credit and a scratch 'n' sniff sticker if you can think of a way to turn all the boogers under the desks into art.

Thanks!

Help my American girlfriend become a Mrs. McCluskey (UK teacher)!

almostwitty — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:52:36 -0800

My (American) girlfriend is looking to come over to London to study to become a teacher. She already has a certificate substitute teacher licence ... but that's not much use in the UK. Or is it ... ?

Anyway, are there any recommendations for good/cheap universities that offer a teacher training course? Or any way of doing it?

How to get a job when I'm a retired 65-year-old schoolteacher?

feelinggood — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:08:36 -0800

I'm 65 years old in Toronto. How can I get a job? I taught school (elementary and high school English) for 32 years. Retired 10 years ago. I have a Master of Library Science and worked as a school librarian. Have worked (in the past 10 years - all short term) as a courier, a business researcher for a tax firm, a retail sales person, and a public librarian. Have very little self confidence, especially with the economy in the tank.
Any practical suggestions or tips? Any government programs?

The "Working through the golden years: jobs for seniors" thread is 2 years old. Any new insights? Thanks.

teach me how to teach, please!

acidic — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 09:58:57 -0800

How do I become an amazing, inspiring, organized, respected, and effective teacher? What did your favorite teacher do that set him/her apart? Your tips, anecdotes, and resources (particularly online) are appreciated. I'm a fresh college grad and I've been thrown into teaching without any training. Luckily, I love it; however, I definitely need to learn some basic classroom management principles before the honeymoon period is over and the students lose respect for my authority. Furthermore, I'm idealistic enough that I want to strive to be an extraordinary, life-changing teacher even though most colleagues in my situation (teaching English in Korea) seem content with not much more than mediocrity. I have great kids, more than half of whom are in an elite track and only speak English while on school property, so I'm looking less for English-in-Korea advice (although I'll take that too) and more for foreign language or general teaching advice.

Some things that I don't really know how to deal with: kids who refuse to speak, ultra-rambunctious baby einsteins, the loner in every class who is semi-bullied by his peers, kid who won't stop talking or goofing off, what to do when the entire class seems to make a silent pact to ignore my instructions...

i teach 2nd through 8th grade. FYI: While I don't participate, my school does practice corporal punishment according to a formula I haven't figured out. It seems that most days the principal will deliver anywhere from one to ten strokes of a ruler per student as punishment for homework mistakes, although sometimes he'll walk in, scare everyone, then leave. The students both dread and sort of enjoy this, as a benchmark for punishments I could have the authority to enforce.

Links to excellent teacher communities or blogs would be awesome too!

Bonus question: for the teachers out there, how do you find satisfaction and intellectual stimulation in this profession? I find it extremely fulfilling now and expect this to improve as I become better, but it seems that burnout could arise quite unexpectedly.

Teacher Discounts @ Clothing Stores? What Other Perks Am I Missing? Astronaughts get half off at Banana?

WhereAmI — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:33:18 -0800

What "secret" discounts/benefits exist at major retail businesses (J. Crew, Banana Republic, Express, etc.) and what could qualify me for these discounts. I'm talking more long term (i.e., Teacher, Employee, etc.) as opposed to coupons or specials. I'm a teacher. I recently ran into J. Crew at lunch to grab a new shirt after a mishap with a cup of coffee and a student turning the corner without looking (I looked around for a movie film crew, but all I saw was my 6th period laughing at my stained clothes).

Luckily I had about 45 minutes before my next class so I ran to the J. Crew a few blocks away. For some reason (embarrassment?) I offered my story to the kind employee at the store who assisted me in a quick wardrobe change, and in stead of charging me full price, they scanned a bar code (one of many on a big key ring) and took 15% off of the new shirt's price.

I was stunned when he told me that J. Crew offers a 15% discount to all teachers (and he didn't even ask for my school ID or any other proof). I pointed to the multiple bar codes hanging from the key ring and asked what else I didn't know I was entitled to and he started running through a list of discounts for various qualification that J. Crew honored (teachers, students, armed forces, etc.).

I guess my question is 2 fold:

1. What other discounts are there on a semi-permanent basis (i.e., Teacher, not including coupons which don't seem like they would make it to the laminated bar-code key ring)

2. Where can I find a list of these discounts and applicable stores? I'm mainly a J. Crew, Bannana Republix (yes I have a Lux card, no I've never mentioned I'm a teach at their checkout line, but I will now!), Express.

I'm thinking there may be an equivalent retail store discount site like FlyerTalk's "stickies" (the site has a lot of time sensitive "deals" but it also has tons of old information that is permanently posted (aka "sticky") that describes how to get upgraded for free on certain airlines if you know you'll be traveling a lot in the future (for professional travelers)) that offers inside knowledge about ways to stay dressed in a classy way without breaking the bank. I'm not necessarily talking about coupon or deal sites like SlickDeals.net or DealNews.com (these seem more "rushed" or "quick coupons").

What I'm looking for is a repository of data, and maybe even some inside tips (i.e., If you tell the guy at J. Crew you are a Teacher you save 15%. What if I tell the guy at Express I am an astronaut or bring my 65 year old grandmother, will I save 40%?).

I don't want to be dishonest, I just want to be informed. Heck, I'd even bring my granda out with me and take her shopping if it saved me 40%!

TIA!

The Tortoise and the Ant and the ...?

Nonce — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:15:10 -0800

If you wanted a stable, boring (but really only boring in scare quotes), modest life, what career paths would you take? Emphasis on path; I want to come out of this post with a course of action. If you get a masters of library sciences, can you reasonably expect to get a job starting out in the high 20s/low 30s in a place where that's sufficient to be comfortable, with pay increases and advancement on the horizon? Or are there too many people competing for the same jobs for that to be the standard path? Is the digital age cutting funding for libraries, or increasing opportunity? Are archivists able to get work?

I'd love detailed responses from the perspective of work and life that is possible for a liberal arts (English lit degree) college grad who does not want to take on the world, but rather live in it, enjoy it, have space to be aware of his (feel free to substitute her) own thoughts, and avoid any races that center on rodents rather than on the sheer joy of running.

I'd really like special attention paid to practicality and stability. Also, interaction with the public is not a negative at all. In fact, I'd love to avoid interacting with a computer all day, as good at that as I may be. Light exercise and some sun could only improve the equation.

I'd like to assess myself, and my options, and then head in a direction that, barring any black swans, will bear steady fruit I am comfortable with while allowing me to grow in whatever direction it winds up I grow, rather than trading my mental and physical health for high pay.

Is there a way to cheat at life? To wind up doing something that refreshes your soul for eight hours a day, and leaves you more you at the end rather than less? Or at least pays the bills while you fill the rest of your time with art, literature, travel, and companionship (frugally, of course)?

I could see myself building trails, leading tours, researching, tagging, and photographing for the park service, and never feeling like I'd sold a second of my time doing anything I wouldn't have done for free. If I get a master's degree in conservation or forest management, would it be difficult to find a position in the park service a few years from now?

I cannot stress how much I don't want to gamble. Nothing is certain in this life, but there is a certain difference in job prospects between getting that MFA in creative writing so you can teach college and getting that state teaching certificate so you can teach high school. Not that taking a detour to get an MFA precludes anything else at all--but I'm sure you get the picture.

Or at least I hope you do, because I sure don't and I could use a hand.

Help me negotiate a simple salary

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:06:09 -0800

We are talking small beans here, but it's my beans, so please hear me out... I'm an ESL teacher/tutor with 3 undergrad degrees, certification through Oxford and 5 years experience. I have been offered a job in Shanghai. Included is a small apartment (in Puxi), free meals whenever I want them, transportation unless visiting outside the city, round trip airfare to the US every 10 months, high-speed internet, and a number of other similar perks.
I have been asked to 'name' a desired salary.
Going in I'm pretty sure what ever I ask for will be bartered down, only because that's the way the game is played in China.
I don't much care about the 'going rate' as I teach not only English, but history and science as well, and am in my 40's, well-travelled, and bring a lot more to the table than a teaching cert from Oxford.
However, I don't want to be so outlandish as to ask for an impossible amount.
I am thinking $1000 USD a month as a minimum.
When I last taught in China, I made about 400. That was in a village, and in pretty much third-word circumstances.
Any suggestions? Again, this amount, while very low, is a heck of a lot in China. And my only expenses out-of-pocket will be entertainment, necessities such as occasional clothing, toiletries, travel, and other incidentals.
Essentially, 75% of what I make will be more than I need to live an OK lifestyle.
But again...I'm tired of being the guy who always settles for less. Getting older. No savings to speak of. Own nothing much. And I'm OK with all that...
Sorry to ramble and make, I'm sure, numerous mistakes here, but the deadline is looming and I'm way over thinking this deal.
Honest advice from a stranger or two is what I need.
email fatbackncollards at gmail...
or, preferably, try to give yr two cents here :)

How to successfully transition into a teaching career in your 30s?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:43:07 -0800

Due to the economic crisis, the small business I’m a partner in very likely won’t last through the end of the year. After a lot of soul-searching, I’m not sure I want to continue in my current industry and am looking at a possible career change at the age of 35 – becoming a high school English teacher. Basic information – I’m in California and have a B.A. in English from a state university. What exactly do I need to do to earn a credential to teach at the high school level? More importantly, is it possible to earn a credential while still working full-time (and how would student teaching interfere with this)? Is where you get your credential a big deal or would I be ok going with a school that caters to working people like University of Phoenix or National University? I’m married with 3 kids, so the idea of moving in with my parents or a buddy and living on little income while I go through this transition isn’t really a realistic possibility.

On a similar note, my understanding is your pay scale as a teacher goes up if you have a Masters. Does it make sense to try to earn this at the same time I’m getting my credential? What kind of time frame am I looking at before I can be in front of a classroom?

Also, due to the cost of living and economic conditions, I’m seriously considering leaving California and moving somewhere with a lower cost of living. If I do that do I need to go through the credential process all over again or does one state’s teaching certificate easily transfer to another state? Is there anything I’m not taking into consideration or other questions I should be asking?

Throwaway email is teachingcareerchange@yahoo.com

I need an ethics book that's interesting

CrazyLemonade — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:44:11 -0800

As a [high school] teacher, I'm being encouraged to include a little bit of ethics into my courses. Can anyone recommend a book about ethics that's not boring or difficult to understand, and can that can help me with this? I'm currently taking an ethics course myself, but most of the required reading leaves me thinking "wtf? I didn't understand a word that said!", and is not very practical.

I'm not asking for a high school level book, just something that I can understand, if I've never had much studies in ethics or philosophy.

Business major -> English teacher

firei — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:39:16 -0800

I've decided I want to teach high school english. Problem: I have a BS in Business Admin. How do I do this? I want to teach english in a NY state high school. This decision aside, I need help.

I graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship this May. While I was in my last semester, I realized that I've always wanted to teach. This decision may have been hasty, but let's assume for the moment that teaching will be everything I've dreamed it to be, because that's not the focus of this question.

Current thoughts include a community college for the english credits, then a SUNY or Marist or Mercy for the masters in education. I've been on the NY education site, and found it a bit jumbled and slightly confusing. The individual grad program sites are even less helpful. I know I need to call the schools, but I can't do that until next week, do to my work schedule.

Any MeFites have experience with this - majoring in something unrelated to what you want to teach? How did you do it? Can I do it in less than three years? HELP!

Help me be a teacher

mikelly — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:14:51 -0800

Help me make a career move. Do I want to be a high school or college teacher? My BA is in English and philosophy. I've been out of school for about two years, long enough to realize that my liberal arts education doesn't make me a precious commodity in the business world. But, hey, that's okay because I want to be the stereotypical English major turned teacher. From experience as a K-12 tutor and ESL teacher, I've concluded that I prefer working with older students and more stimulating material, but I'm torn between paths.

Should I pursue a Masters in Teaching or a PhD? On the one hand, I would like to further my own education (in philosophy) and teach engaging material (in community college), but the path to a doctorate is daunting and the job market dismal, or so I've been forever told. On the other hand, I think there are high school classes I'd enjoy teaching (literature, humanities, philosophy(?), or maybe even world history), but playing disciplinarian to an unruly freshman class doesn't sound appealing. I feel I connect pretty well with high school students I tutor, but they are usually respectful and friendly kids.

So, MeFite teachers, how do high school and community college teaching lives compare? What's the job market like for each? How hard is it to land teaching the class of your preference? Are all the desired classes always taken by those with seniority? How do expectations, workload, and bureaucracy compare? What's the career for me?

How do I differentiate instruction?

Elagabalus — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:46:37 -0800

Can you recommend a good book (or journal, or webpage) on differentiated instruction? Without going into too many specifics and writing 5 pages, I'm going to have to teach several "levels" of high school US history in the same room at the same time. Imagine regulars, honors, and mega-double-secret-honors in the same classroom, but with 3 separate (but at least fairly similar) classes going on, getting ready for 3 separate sets of exams at the end of the year.

So...what can I do to address my teaching to each individual's specific needs and target instruction at their "level", rather than have everyone do the same activity or same discussion, when they are not going to benefit from the same things? I mean, some stuff certainly benefits all students, such as analyzing primary source materials or interpreting charts and graphs, but some stuff is only going to be relevant to 1/3 of the class, like a particular essay that only 1/3 of them have to learn how to do...

Good books to recommend? I want to do right by my students and give them what they NEED, not just what is easiest for me.

Maybe I should interior decorate.

the NATURAL — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:23:10 -0800

Help an ISFJ brother out. I'm a guy 20-going on 21, fresh out of college, and looking for guidance. I'm a Myers-Briggs personality type ISFJ , which I feel fits me well (but, of course, I would not limit myself to these career types).

I'd been seriously considering secondary school teaching in the Bay Area, but after taking in the various outcry in response to previous posters (myself and bullox), I'm more than a little discouraged -- especially since my degree is in the humanities (poli.sci and philosophy), and I'd have to teach subjects as such. Still, I'm madly in love with the Bay Area, and would like to settle there.

So, in addition to what's listed on the aforementioned website, what other careers should I consider and look into?

Of course, bonus points if it requires a college degree and/or pays better -- and further bonus points if you yourself are an ISFJ (or something similar.)

All the best.

Please help me understand people's objections to year-round public school.

cheapskatebay — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:20:57 -0800

Please help me understand people's objections to year-round public school. I'll confess right up front that my grasp on this issue is not as firm as it could or should be, but, based on what I've seen, the pros of year-round schooling seem to have the cons considerably outweighed. I live in a part of the U.S. that does not seem to have much in the way of year-round schooling and I’d be interested in learning more about this, whether anecdotally, with links to discussions online, or what have you. Nayre has been an interesting, albeit partial, source of information.

As I see it:

Pros:

1. Year-round schooling seems to improve students’ retention of subject material, so that more classroom time can be spent learning new material.
2. The boredom some students experience over a lengthy summer vacation can be ameliorated.
3. Multiple tracks – i.e., having students stagger their vacations – can be used in school districts with burgeoning student populations, reducing the need for additional buildings (which advantage may be partially offset by higher year-round costs of staffing the buildings, utilities, etc).
4. Families can vacation during the summer break (however much shorter it may be) and during breaks in the traditional “school year” as well.
5. For the most part, we’re not an agrarian society, so that traditional rationale for summer vacations has diminished considerably.
6. Other industrial nations have moved to this type of schedule with positive results.
7. Year-round schooling would seem to be a natural gateway toward lengthening the school year and/or school day. (That’s a pro for me; I know others might disagree.)
8. I’ve read that year-round schooling can allow more time and resources to be spent with children who are struggling – I’m not exactly sure how that works, although I think retention would be a significant issue for kids with learning disabilities or who otherwise simply would benefit from having shorter breaks.

Cons:

1. I can see how this could be a nightmare for families with kids in different schools, with differing schedules. Arranging after-school care or “vacation” care for kids on a year-round schedule could definitely be tough for many.
2. Finding time for summer jobs and interscholastic athletics for older children (I’m guessing high school age?) would be tough with year-round school; although I’d personally want to see more emphasis placed on academic achievement, I know these are important to many older kids and their families. That doesn’t present much of an objection for the K-8 crowd, though.
3. There’s inertia, the tradition of lengthy summer vacations, and fear of the unknown, of course, and I imagine they play a very large role in debates around this issue.
4. One possible disadvantage might be for teachers – I’ve known many public school teachers who paint houses or otherwise work separate jobs in the summers to earn more money, and year-round schooling would cut into that.
5. Is there any evidence that year-round schooling is “better,” however that may be defined (test scores, “happier” or well-adjusted kids, socially, etc.)?

On balance, year-round schooling seems to have the much better argument. Which pros and cons am I missing? As the title of the question indicates, I’m more interested in an argument that might favor the traditional schedule – not out of ideology, but out of genuine curiosity that I’m somehow giving the traditional schedule short shrift in my admittedly simplistic comparison.

I know there are many hot-button issues currently being discussed that concern education and educational policy - such as charter schools, the possibility of paying higher-performing teachers (however that's measured) more than their peers, and debates over No Child Left Behind - but I'd prefer comments focused on the relative merits of the traditional schedule versus the year-round schedule.

I'm mostly interested in this question as it pertains to the United States, but international perspectives would also be interesting to read.

Thanks!

Yoga teacher training programs, possibly compatible with Bikram yoga?

erigeneia — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:12:40 -0800

What are some yoga training programs or traditions that might be compatible with the Bikram yoga teacher training I've already done? I'd like to be able to teach classes beyond the 26-postures-2-breathing-exercises, and I'd also like to be able to teach a style of yoga that isn't as highly regulated in terms of restricting where/what you can teach. I'm a certified Bikram yoga teacher, and I've been teaching for almost 3 years. I feel confident teaching the standard class, but I've taken a bunch of other non-Bikram yoga classes, and I'd like to expand my knowledge of yoga in general and how to teach other postures and styles.

I don't need to learn how to present myself as a teacher. Although I'm fairly introverted in everyday life, my studio director and the students tell me I look confident in class and my explanations are useful and clear.

I do need to learn more anatomy. We did basic anatomy at Bikram training, but I'd love to be able to know exactly which muscles/joints/organs/etc are working, and how, in yoga postures.

Currently, I'm not as focused on the spiritual aspect of yoga as I am on the general health impact. I'm certainly not adverse to learning how to teach yoga for the elderly, or children, or the physically impaired.

I'll be moving to the Bay area (around Mountain View--boyfriend will work at Google) in a couple months, and that will limit my options for at least the rest of the year. So, I know about Jimmy Barkan's training, and it does sound somewhat compatible with what I'm looking for, but Florida is (financially) out of my reach for a while. I'm hoping that since California is fairly yogafied, I'll be able to find something more local. But if you know of something non-local, add it anyway, and I'll keep the information for the future!

(I've heard just a bit about Feldenkrais therapy, and while it isn't strictly yoga, it sounds intriguing. If you've been to the training, I'd love to hear about your experience.)

Thanks!

How do I become a teacher?

the NATURAL — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:12:25 -0800

How do I become a teacher in the state of California? I'm a 21-year old graduate from the University of Pennsylvania with a Political Science B.A., currently living and working in the state of Hawaii (where I was born and raised, if that matters for residency). How do I become a schoolteacher (public or private) in the state of California?

Action Research Video Footage?

yellowcandy — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:14:07 -0800

Designing an action research class for teachers and need lots and lots of footage of real classroom activity. Here is what I would love, in a perfect world: 5-40 hours of raw, digitized video footage of classroom activity. Longer is better, in order to give users a chance to select a sample set of classes/sessions from the data. Bonus points if it's all the same classroom and/or students, shot over several days or weeks. What happens in the classroom doesn't have to be particularly good or bad--the footage will be used as the raw dataset for a graduate course, so the grad students will be choosing their research focus and deciding what to do with the digitized video.

We can't film this ourselves, as videotaping minors comes along with a whole host of legal and IRB issues that we do not have the time to sort through on our own. What we're looking for is a free or proprietary dataset of digitized footage that we can use without having to worry about clearances, etc. Since this will become a text (of sorts) for a course, we are willing to pay a vendor for this, if we can find someone who sells this sort of thing. If it's free, great. If not, that's OK too.