Im a incoming college student, and was considering education as my major. basically if anybody has done this any advice you got, and how long did it take for you to land a job. im also considering coaching if thats helps
I teach one class -- not exactly what you are looking for in terms of experience, but it is something. In college, I got a Business Degree in Information Systems (BBA of MIS) last year. After spending months looking for a job, I eventually landed a position as a network technician at my old high school. At that time I wasn't teaching, and had no desire. It's a long, boring story, but in November I started teaching AP Computer Science -- taking over for someone else. I taught Sophomores. At first, I *LOVED* it -- the kids were really interested, and paid attention well. By February, I could think of no greater hell than to teach for the rest of the year. NO ONE paid attention -- I had NO control of the class. Partially my fault, partially the other teacher's fault. But by the end of the year, I had grown attached to teaching. It's slightly addictive in a masochistic sort of way. So much so that I am going to be teaching next year. Personally, I got my first foray into the educational arena as a tutor/tutoring program coordinator at a school in San Antonio. Most of my friends in college were education majors, and many are teaching now. I never wanted to teach though -- I wanted to be a consultant or something like that. When I was asked to teach, I was actually REALLY excited. A lot of responsibility. The lustre faded somewhat quickly, but I still did kindof enjoy it. As much as anything, I kindof enjoy telling people "I am a teacher". It's only one class, but still . . . For me, I have found it to be somewhat more difficult on a mental and emotional scale than I expected. It wasn't HARD per se. The actual teaching of the material wasn't really all that difficult. Sometimes it was hard, but on the whole, it was other stuff that was difficult. More than anything, I found myself depressed about teaching -- the idea that now I'm "the adult" has been kindof difficult for me. Kindof like "well, this is where it all ends I guess". Another thing is that I was THE WORST student in college, and THE WORST student in high school, but now I have to tell people to be good students. I have to grade assignments, discipline students, tally grades, make homework, tests, etc. The thing is -- I am not exclusively a teacher. So while everyone else gets some sort of a summer break, I don't. If I did have a summer break, I'd like teaching a LOT more. As it is, I've come to kindof enjoy teaching. Seeing students after they've learned something is kindof cool. Actually TEACHING them that stuff is difficult. But the after-effect is great! That is the part of teaching you enjoy. Actually having students know something directly as a result of you is worth all the crap you have to put up with during the school year. I don't coach any sports (I do "coach" debate, but that's different), but I have a friend who is looking to coach basketball and teach history. His biggest difficulty is finding somewhere to take him as a basketball coach. Everywhere will take him as a teacher, but getting a good coaching situation makes things a bit more difficult. Although, it's still not hard. Getting a teaching position is usually pretty easy. I can't speak to becoming an education major, but as far as teaching itself -- I think it's worth it. I couldn't do it full-time, but some teaching has been a neat, cool experience. I'm looking forward to teaching Java next year . . .
I've been teaching for over ten years and have just stopped coaching to spend more time w/ my son. My advice...you've got to be sure that this is what you want to do, both teaching and especially coaching. You need to decide if you want to teach the pre-k/kinder kids (early childhood certification), elementary levels(elementary certification) or the older kids...6th through 12th (secondary). If you really want to get into coaching, I would suggest secondary certification. You will have to major and minor in a specific subject area. Your can't get secondary certified with a major in education. I chose a Kinesiology major with a minor in English. I never intended to teach my minor, but it's very hard to find a job as a P.E. teacher nowadays...those positions are usually held by the veteran coaches at the jr high levels, and head coaches at the hs level. In choosing your teaching field, make sure it's something you're familiar with and something you enjoy. My teaching field of English with a coaching experience is a rarity, and finding a job teaching and coaching was easy. Teaching is painful pleasure. If you coach and get an athletics class on top of your teaching classes, you've got it made...the best of both worlds. Coaching will definitely put a strain on you and your marriage. If you have young children, my advice is don't do it. It broke up my marriage. I promised my two year old son that I wouldn't go back to coaching until I could coach him. If you're single, know that it will put a strain on your social life. Friday night scouting trips, Saturday practice/scouting reports, late practice, laundry duty, bus duty...it's all part of it. You'll love it and hate it. Also know this. Coaches are on performance contracts. If you don't produce results, you get cut...more so at the jv/varsity levels, since younger levels are more for teaching the fundamentals and hooking the kids on the sport. You'll probably start coaching at the jr high level and move up to the upper levels. There is just so much advice to give...how about you ask me questions and I'll answer your questions. I'll also try to answer the questions that you don't know you should ask...like tips for scouting. Little things that you might overlook, like finding out which starters are injured, seeing which players go both ways, finding out who the younger, inexperienced players are...this of course for football scouting...and I've done the same for basketball. Just ask, and I'll tell you what I know. Good luck in your decision.
I have been teaching and coaching for 6 years. I agree with what FT said above and can add a few things. If you are unsure find a school where you know some people. Get them to let you observe in some classrooms. Try different grades and subjects so you can see what it is like. You cannot get this experience from a college classroom. Also if you want to coach like FT said make sure your wife knows that you will be gone a lot. And one of the most important things IMO, if a district pays a high salary there is usually a reason for it. If you don't mind dealing with tough situations go for it. But if you want a school that has few discipline problems and is a low stress work environment expect to get less pay. I work for a small 3-A district and I have next to no discipline problems in my classes. I also make $2,000 less than my brother that does not coach and teaches in an inner city school.
Thanks guys, I just wanted to hear some experiences from people that do this. Ive always wanted to teach im thiking either english or history, ive always had a passion for history espically US History, but i just recently thought about coaching as well. Im single right now but hopefully that will change before I get out of school. so i would defintely consider not doing this if i got a wife and kids by the time comes. What are summers like for coaches??? i know they probaly watch films, give kids workout advice. anything else on top of that. And yall said something about if you dont prodcuce your gone. I didnt think this was true, at my school all the teams i played for we lost games all the time for all 4 years. But i dont think they ever thought about firing our coaches. the only coaches i heard about that get fired are the ones on the news that either push their kids way to hard or sexually abuse them. if yall could elabore on this that would be helpful. and i also want to hear about summers for teachers, I think they have to go to workshops w/o pay is that true? thanks guys
my wife taught elementary school...she just retired to stay home with our son.... she found a job very quickly teaching in Alief ISD...we got married in June...she moved to Houston during the first week of July...I think she had a job lined up by the second week of that month.
Actually the summertime is pretty light for our coaching staff. We start back in late July though. Usually 2 weeks before everyone else. As for job security it depends on your position and the district you work for. Some districts don't care if you win or lose and will not fore you. SOme that have high demands for athletics though will not renew contracts if you lose. It also depends on your position, if you are a jr. high coach you have pretty good job security. Most of the guys I coach with have moved on themselves(seeking higher positions or jobs at larger schools). As for summers for teachers. It depends again on the district. I am teaching 2 workshop sessions this summer for no pay but I get to comp out of going to 2 workshops during the year. It is totally optional in my district but if you don't go to 2 workshops this summer you have to work Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week.
If you are looking in to coaching I would suggest getting a job with a local school before you try and get your first teaching job. I know that in basketball we have a B program with a pretty high turnaround in coaches, I would look at the local junior high's for openings for coaches, in whatever sport you want. that way you go into your first job with some credentials rather than a " I played it in highschool" It always helps, trust me. I would take a guy/girl with a year of coaching 7th grade girls b team before I would some guy that "played in highschool". that is not ment to be a knock on girls bball. Also this will let you know if coaching is what you really want to do.
The advice of Falcons Talon about being sure it's what you want to do should be noted. My wife was a teacher--two years and out. She's now the assistant to the President & CEO of one of the smaller banks in town. She loves her new job. Actually, they've talked some about putting her in Human Resources to help put together a training program for the bank. If so, she would perhaps get to use some of her skills as a teacher without having many of the problems associated with teaching in the school system. She liked teaching, but absolutely hated all the other stuff that comes along with the job these days. Don't judge a career as a teacher by classroom instruction. My wife learned a lot of great things in college that she could only have implemented if she wanted to work 18 hour days, which she still did sometimes. There are lots of great ideas to be learned in the college classroom, but there were too many other things required that didn't really have anything to do with teaching. Sorry about the all-in-one "paragraph" above. I don't feel like going back and breaking it up, however.
I just finished my first year of teaching, and I absolutely agree that you have to be sure that's it what you want to do. The turnover rate for teachers with less than 5 years of experience is insane. One of my friends from college taught her first year, absolutely hated it, and is done with it, probably for good. Besides it being a LOT of work, there is so much crap that goes on that has nothing to do with teaching. TraJ is right on. I mean, the paperwork, especially in elementary ed., will leave your head spinning. And there are just so many roles that you have to play on a daily basis that it's a constant battle to remember why you are teaching. The bottom line is you have to decide if the pros outweigh the cons, just like any other job. There are lots of cons, but for me, those precious "pros" are way too satisfying for me to find something else.
