It was, back when we went to school - they've since changed the name (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or some nonsense), unless it's come full circle and they went back to TAAS again....
Darn. I was hoping that you had horrible things to say about him, so I could give him a hard time when I see him. Oh well.
Yeah it's called TAKS. It's dumb, everything they teach us at school has to do with TAKS. Taks Warmups Homework with taks related questions Taks Worksheets I remember the first week of the schoolyear at my school my teacher already had a "taks countdown" lol
I had some of the greatest teachers in some of the crappiest schools (HISD). They pushed me to do my best and showed me the huge impact one good teacher can have in a student's life. Really, I don't know where I would be without their guidance and encouragement. I wish I could reach some of them now and tell them that. Even seeing all the bull***** they put up with, they made me want to become a teacher.
Sorry it took me so long to chime in RM. I've been enjoying one the the many teacher perks...SPRING BREAK! That being said, teaching does require a bit of planning, a bit of improvising, and a sense of how to get the kids to "hear" you. I've been teaching for fifteen years now. Early on, I was looking for a different job, as there were days that I didn't want to do anything. I felt frustrated, overwhelmed, underappreciated, and generally burnt out. Thankfully, I'm at a point in my career that things are very smooth for me. I've "been there done that" for most of the major situations. I have a really good rapport with my students, and we can joke and talk just as well as discuss literature. Don't do it for the vacations. There are more days with kids than days without. If you feel you can get the kids to "hear" you, and you enjoy working with kids, it's a great career! Good luck in your decision.
Hey, I just got back in town, and just wanted to let you know that I spoke to my friend who teaches at Katy HS. He said that actually they have a bunch of openings for teachers coming up, because a lot of people are not thrilled with the new principal, so a lot of teachers are leaving. It might be a good time to make contact with the school now, and keep in touch between now and the summer.
I find myself having a LOT of open/free mornings and afternoons with the majority of my work schedule coming at night. So I'm thinking about taking up teaching as a day job. Subbing at first of course, then eventually transitioning into full time. Does anyone have any advice on where to start? Good places to teach? What grades offer in terms of challenges and rewards? Etc
I teach 4th grade, and I love it. Kids are developing as higher-level thinkers, so you can challenge them more mentally and joke around more with them. But, they also haven't quite developed the teenage attitude that fifth graders are starting to develop as they approach middle school. Also, I like writing, and in Texas writing is a big focus for 4th grade.
Wow this thread came at the right time as I am about to apply for alternative certification to teach next school year. Do most school districts prefer one certification program to another or does it matter?
Do you already have your Teacher Certificate? If not, you know you have to have one before you can teach full-time, right? Depends on the district, but most of them don't care as long as it's an accredited program. You can't go wrong with Region IV though. That's the one that everyone knows and is widely considered to be the best.
Yup. I remember her name. Don't think I ever met her though. My favorite teachers at KHS were Mrs. Bruno (had her for freshman and senior AP English), Mr. Powers (for speech and newspaper), Mr. Powell (Model UN sponsor), and Ms. Elliott (Pre-Cal and Stats). Also my AP Economics teacher, Mrs. Cave, and my AP Government teacher, whose name I forgot (he looks a lot like Robert DeNiro). Some pretty good teachers, some outspokenly hated their job (Powers, he was just bitter about life and told us all about it, it was hilarious), all in all, I enjoyed my time at KHS.
