What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a teacher? In the You Be the Judge feature, we consider both advantages and disadvantages of teaching. Routine, lack of respect, student apathy, and bureaucracy can wear teachers down, while the joy of working with children, caring colleagues, and intellectual stimulation motivate teachers.
What are the satisfactions—and complaints—of today's teachers? Although the vast majority of teachers are satisfied, many teachers believe that their pay is inadequate and their workloads heavy, and teachers generally desire fewer discipline problems and more parental and administrative support.
Can we consider teaching to be a profession? There are trends to make teaching more "professional" (five years of training, growing research base, qualifying exams, and the recognition of board-certified teachers), and counter trends that question the status of teachers (alternative certification and lack of teacher influence over licensure and curricular standards). Some claim teaching is, at best, a semiprofession.
How has teacher preparation changed over the years? In the early 19th century, normal schools were established to train future teachers. While some recent reform reports, including Tomorrow's Teachers and A Nation Prepared, urge higher standards, increased professionalism for teacher preparation, and recognition of superior performance through board certification, other programs emphasize alternative certification, a type of apprenticeship not unlike what was practiced in colonial America.
What traits and characteristics are needed for successful teaching? Successful teachers enjoy working with children, managing and motivating people, working well with the community, and are often found to have a pretty good sense of humor. A strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to lifelong learning are also associated with success in the classroom. Many of these skills are also useful in other people-oriented occupations. While organizations like Southwest Airlines have developed corporate cultures that focus on employee satisfaction and autonomy, schools have yet to mirror that level of confidence in teachers.
Is teaching a "good fit" for you? In reviewing characteristics and traits related to effective teaching, we ask you to evaluate yourself. How do you rate on these skills and traits? In fact, a major purpose of this text is to help you connect with teaching and assess if teaching is the right career for you.
What steps can you take now on the road to becoming a teacher? You are invited to use the RAP activities, further suggested readings, and online activities in this text to clarify your thoughts about teaching. We try to anticipate your questions and get you actively involved in this book, but we invite you to send additional questions to us, either through snail mail or e-mail at www.mhhe.com/sadker8e. If you are pretty sure that teaching is for you, we can help you reach that goal. You may also want to begin preparing our résumé and portfolio, soliciting recommendations, and staying informed about the job market. It may be early, but it is not too early.
