Any teachers in here?

[Jenadots]

Hi, PW...congrats on your first teaching job.  I am also an English teacher and dept. chair.  I am currently doing 12th grade World Lit - all works in translation.  It is my favorite thing to teach.  We are starting with The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Alchemist as a part of my semester them of Great Journeys.  

7th grade - Jr. High -- can be fun - kids in the early teen stage of still a child but not nearly as jaded as the 17 year olds I have.  I am sure you will be doing a lot of grammar, writing, vocab and literature.  

Just remember, never let them see you sweat....they will know you are a new teacher - in other words, Fresh Meat for their pranks.  Just keep a sense of humor about it and you will do just fine.  And find an organizational system that works for you so you don't get swamped.

I am also a mentor to the student teachers who come into my school which is surrounded by major universities in Chicago so I see a lot of them each year.  

This past week as I was chasing two of my youngest teachers home at 5:30, I had to remind them that the school does welcome them home and say How you doin?  Best advice I can give you.  Pace yourself and you can get through this very important year in your career without stressing out.  

Feel free to ask me anything -- my email is on my profile.  

Have a great school year.  Jenadots

[Kazbadan]

I am a teacher too.  I teach everything (portuguese, maths,etc) to little childs of the 1st,2,3 and 4th class/grade (dont know the english word) and i teach Maths/Science of Nature to childs of the 5 and 6th grade.

In this moment i am searching for job, because here in Portugal it is very hard of a young teacher to get work. Its always the same every year. You worl one year, the next year ot you go a different shool (if you are lucky) or you stay in home.

I worked 3 years as a teacher.

If you want some tips just pm me.

[Gandalf]

Hi Peaceful Warrior, long time no see!

I am training to be a teacher at the moment (history).

It is a good time to be a teacher here in Scotland where I live, as there is a teaching crisis, no one wants to teach right now, so the Scottish government has issued an incentive (basically a bribe) of 20,000 pounds, (about 35.000 dollars) which they will give to every new maths teacher, over and above their salary (although there is a catch in that you have to sign up for 3 years). The rumour is that it will spread to other departments like history soon so I am hopeful!

I think the rest of the UK has a similar teaching problem as well.
What's the situation in the US?

Regards,
Douglas

[Jenadots]

Kazbadan.  Hi, there is such a shortage of math and science teachers in the USA that if you have the credentials you could get a job just about anywhere.  Many of the major cities have even begun to recruit in countries like yours which has a bit of a surplus.  

Give it some thought. In the meantime, I hope you find a job soon that you are happy in.  I have been teaching all of my adult life.  It has become so much a part of me that I can't imagine doing anything else.  It can be such a joyous thing.  Do whatever kind of work you can get to make a living, but always keep trying to find a teaching job.  Don't give up on it.  If you really love it, someday you will find the right school for you.

[PeacefulWarrior]

Hey everybody, it's been a while...I have been so busy.  I am still in school (grad school of education, UC Riverside) and I recently got a job teaching 7th grade language arts, my first teaching job.

So, are there any other teachers who frequent these forums?  If so, tell me about what grade/subject you teach, etc.

-Dan