Thread: Excuse me, Could you please help me with my career project?

1) Are you able to live comfortably off the salary?
That depends on the area you live in (I read that in many areas of California teachers have to drive for hours to get to their job because they are unable to afford a house near the school) and the number and age of people in your household (that changes all the time). Many teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies.

2) What are the gratifications of being a teacher?
Teachers usually love seeing their students succeed in learning their subject and become better persons.

3) What courses are of most importance to take in High School?
Depends on the subject you will get highly certified in. Math majors need strong math courses, science teachers need physics etc. In any case, a rigorous workload is the best solution.

1) Able to live comfortably on the salary?
Nope. It is an extreme struggle.

2) The challenge, and the look on a student's face when they understand, the feeling of accomplishment when that look happens. It is addictive, does not happen all time but worth the work when it does.

3)Courses in High School?
Not sure where you are but I would take all the math science and writing courses you can. I stopped taking math my second year in high school and suffered for it in college.

Originally Posted by Mark

I stopped taking math my second year in high school

BLASPHEMY!

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In response,

1.) Marry someone rich. The salary will not afford you to truly enjoy "all that time off", which is actually spent on continuing education and professional development anyway.

2.) Rewards are endless. Students who have struggled forever finally making a breakthrough. Knowing that I am impacting their lives in a positive way. Knowing that I am opening doors for these kids futures. Realizing year after year that they can still learn manners at the age of 14-18. Hearing "Thank you" from my students at the end of the year when I KNOW I've worked them hard all year long.

3.) In high school, it is most important to sample a little of everything and take as many advanced courses as possible. Nothing will better prepare you for college than a well-rounded rigorous curriculum in secondary school.

Good luck in your venture. If you're good at what you do, a myriad of fantastic opportunities will fall into your lap.

1. Salary- I can live off my salary, so long as it is just me. If I had kids, I couldn't afford to send them to college, and I'd make too much money for them to get financial aid, so that would be out of the question. I might become a homeowner someday, if I watch the money situation carefully. I do better than some other jobs I've had. My verdict- its an ok salary if my expectations are fairly low.

2. One of my former students pointed out to me, "You touch a lot of lives." I have been father, older brother, mentor to people who otherwise would not have had one. I can hope that whatever influence I've had is positive and made a difference- something many careers cannot say. Also, I play a part in my community this way- serving in a useful capacity.

3. I don't get to teach the college bound very often- if I did, I'd offer this advice:
- take the toughest classes you can, and always do your best- the world gives nothing to B students in standard classes. The folks who take the advanced classes and make good grades will do better.
I teach the vocational types a lot- and I say to them:
- hard work will take you far
- find something you like and be good at it.