Secondary Education

[MattArkin]

I've been thinking about going into Secondary Education in college. Any advice/suggestions/information?

[tommyishere]

im majoring in History and Education to become a High School Teacher or go into law. more likely teacher though

[Taking_Frags]

I've been thinking about going into Secondary Education in college. Any advice/suggestions/information?

I'm a Mathematics Education major. I always tell other students that if they want to become a teacher, that they really need to want to educate and not do it because you really want to coach, or you want the benefits, or holidays off. The salary isn't the best and there isn't much of an increase, even after many years of teaching (Average 38k/yr starting, average 45k/yr after years of teaching, but is possible to make over 100k in certain states, unlikely, but possible.) You have to put a lot of time into your lesson plans, as well as grading and preparing so there's not as much free time as you think. Getting a masters is a must to get full certified. Also, depending on your degree, you may have a lot of competition against others for a job.

Perhaps take an education theory course or two to see if it's for you at some point. Just remember, you're responsible for educating the youth of America. I know it sounds cheesey, but I'm sure you've had teachers who seem to not get that. To put it in my perspective, I could drop the education and work as an actuary making 60k+ straight out of college (256k average salary according to Yahoo), but my love for learning has brought me down the education path.

Hope this helps. Any questions feel free to message me.

[abbeytallbert]

For secondary education, Please visit www.bestofcolleges.com


By
Abbeytallbert
Bestofcolleges in US (http://www.bestofcolleges.com)

[May 1984]

I'm getting my Master's In Teaching right now after getting my undergrad in History. If you're wanting to teach any liberal arts subjects, I highly recommend getting multiple endorsements, ie. Social Studies as well as English, or a Special Education endorsement. Right now I'm strictly social studies, but I plan on getting an additional endorsement sometime after i finish my masters. Like it was said above, teaching is honestly very little like what most people assume it to be. Most careers have a progression of promotions and pay raises, etc., but once you take a job as a full time teacher, that's really the pinnacle of teaching.

Despite this, it's ridiculously fun and rewarding. Being a social studies teacher I have some freedom to plan units and lessons and combining that with five classes of unpredictable high school juniors and seniors makes every day a challenge, but an incredibly gratifying one.

[wroteurname]

Do all kinds of work with children you can and make sure you like it. Also, get ready to write more lesson/unit plans than you ever thought you would.

[sodamnclever]

I'm a secondary education major, my concentration being family and consumer sciences. Love it. If you think teaching is for you go for it, but if you have any hesitation I wouldn't suggest it. A lot of people seem to know whether or not teaching is for them.

[Neo Cassady]

I'm a Mathematics Education major. I always tell other students that if they want to become a teacher, that they really need to want to educate and not do it because you really want to coach, or you want the benefits, or holidays off. The salary isn't the best and there isn't much of an increase, even after many years of teaching (Average 38k/yr starting, average 45k/yr after years of teaching, but is possible to make over 100k in certain states, unlikely, but possible.) You have to put a lot of time into your lesson plans, as well as grading and preparing so there's not as much free time as you think. Getting a masters is a must to get full certified. Also, depending on your degree, you may have a lot of competition against others for a job.

Perhaps take an education theory course or two to see if it's for you at some point. Just remember, you're responsible for educating the youth of America. I know it sounds cheesey, but I'm sure you've had teachers who seem to not get that. To put it in my perspective, I could drop the education and work as an actuary making 60k+ straight out of college (256k average salary according to Yahoo), but my love for learning has brought me down the education path.

Hope this helps. Any questions feel free to message me.

:appl: Very well put. Obviously the reason you, me, and anyone else would want to go into education is that love for learning. The low salary is frustrating at times (I work in one of the poorest counties in the state, and live on a first-year teacher's salary in one of the most expensive towns due to my fiancee's grad program), but in the end it's a very rewarding career if your heart is in it.

[saysmydoctor]

A noble profession. I myself probably would never be a good teacher, but it's a field I want to work in on the policy and administrative side.