Job Discussion Forums

jseens · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 21

I'm sort of at a fork in the road when it comes to choosing a career path. I would like to hear from those of you who have some experience in the teaching field. Tell me...all things considered, would you still choose teaching as a career? And why?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Yes because I enjoy it. (quite lucky I guess as I don't know what else I would do)

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I like the freedom that it gives, when so often we can be tied down to unwanted responsilities. I can teach in practically any country I want and pick up and leave any time (just so long as I bring my wife, 2 kids, computers, books, clothes, toys.......) Laughing

After 10 years, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Can't believe I said that, must have caught me on a good day.

We always think what if..., but life is short, you may always regret it.

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

definitely. despite all the hassles ive had over the years in this gig, i'd choose it again simply because overall i enjoy it and essentially ... i know how to do it to the satisfaction of the people i teach .. and thats important.
regards
basil

tedkarma · Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 1:02 pm Post subject:

Not only would I chose it again - I wish I had chosen it ten years earlier!

I love teaching - have taught EFL/ESL and business - doesn't matter as I enjoy the students.

Five total countries since 1989 - and a total change in my life. Of course, I feel a bit alienated with old friends back home when I don't know much about the latest TV shows . . .

I also think that I am quite a bit better off financially than I might have been back home - not to mention that I've had a life time of additional vacation time (I'm a university teacher).

If you are are going to persist - run, don't walk, and get yourself a master's degree so you can teach at university level (I know, I know - maybe NOT in Japan - but in most other countries in Asia you can). Not only will you make a bit more - you'll at least quadzipple (is that a word?) your vacation time. I've not had less than ten weeks off per year since 1992 - and often 4-5 months off per year. I think that will allow me to live a few extra years - and it will give you time to pursue other interests such as writing, websites, travel, family time, etc.

jseens · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 21

Wonderful, keep these coming. To give you a bit more background on myself, I'm a Canadian with a B.A. and a B.Ed. degree. I spent one year teaching at a private elementary school in Mexico where I was teaching all subjects (not just English). I definitely miss the experience of being in a new place but don't think I miss teaching subjects like Math and Science. I think ESL may be where my future lies.

I asked a similar question on a forum made up primarily of teachers in the North American public school system and the responses have been the complete opposite of what I'm getting here. Almost everyone on the other forum said that they WOULDN'T choose teaching again. You all on the other hand seem so passionate about your love for teaching ESL.

Thanks for the input and keep sharing!

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

thelmadatter · Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 2:55 pm Post subject: totally

I totally agree with PAULH. There isnt enough money to convince me to teach in US public schools given the state that they are in now. However, if there was discipline, I wouldnt mind the lousy pay. But until we get back to standards and basic respect for teachers so that the kids KNOW that they need to behave and actually work for grades ... there is just no way I would leave my job here. I have a few kids with attitude here --- but the magic word is "few." Whereas in public schools in the States the kids run wild and any attempt at discipline and/or standards is met with accusations of "racism" "sexism" or any other kind of "ism" you can think of, just to get out of whatever is being tried to be imposed. Like the girl that was handcuffed in Florida. Yeah it looked bad on TV but you know what? Seeing how she was behaving ... if my son behaved like that, esp. if he was warned beforehand that this was going to happen "next time" (as she was, meaning that that wasn't the first time she was climbing on furniture and hitting teachers Shocked

) ... I would be more than happy to see the cops handcuff him for a while. It certainly had an effect on her - only then did she show any semblance of being sorry for what she did. Certainly all the PC tricks the teacher and principal tried were having absolutely no effect. Of course, since her mother and others are yelling racism, whatever lesson of respect she might have learned from the experience has gone out the window.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I enjoy TEFL much more than my previous work (computer analyst). The only real concern I worry about is my long term financial well-being; in TEFL it's easy to make enough coin to cover your daily expenses, but saving funds for your old age is more of a challenge...

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Cdaniels · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 1:15 am Post subject: Also at crossroads

I am also at a crossroads, thinking of getting my M.Ed. What's made me hesitate to become a US teacher is not only unmotivated, etc. students, but the lack of respect Parents and other Adults give to schoolteachers. Teaching has remarkably low social status in the US, which bothers me more than issues related to pay. I've heard that there's actually far more people graduating with Masters in Education degrees than teaching postitions, but public school teachers so often leave after the first few (couple of?) years that there's a net shortage of teachers in most of the country. The statistics are not very encouraging.

Cdaniels · Last edited by Cdaniels on Wed May 25, 2005 2:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

Have you all been following the story of the five year old who was handcuffed by the St. Petersburg, FL, cops?
http://carib.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

What the video of the handcuffing did show was the mind-boggling incompetenece of both the teacher and the assistant principal.