Hi my name is Brittany and I am a freshman in college. I want to be a teacher, but I realize that there is not many job openings for teachers. I hope that there are more when I am looking for a job and can teach in 2012-2013. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the best grade levels to teach:Early Childhood or Middle? I wanted to teach Early, but I figured I was not likely to get a job since it only covers pre school-third grade. I thought if I do Middle, I would have more of a chance to get a job. What grades are looking for teachers?
Any information would help me.
I am from Eastern, NC. I am currently a job seeker and in general the positions that I have seen available have been mostly intermediate elementary and middle. I am K-6 licensed and spent all summer mailing out resume's to "ALL" school districts, had 11 interviews and did not find a position. Finally, I found a preschool position in a child care facility but the pay is just very low...Times are more difficult that I could have ever imagined and hopefully it will improve when you graduate.
Don't let this get in the way if it is what you really want to do just be prepared that you may have a long job search. Even still, there are always options out there!!!!
I wouldn't recommend going into this position trying to chose based on what you see as the best to find a job/money. You need to do this job because it's something you want to do. Choose a grade level because it's one that grabs at your heart and something you want to invest yourself in because whether we like it or not- teaching's not about just gaining the job. Teaching is about wanting to help children learn.
Not to mention by the time you graduate, there may be an upswing on the need for more educators. If you're good at what you do- and you're willing to go the extra mile for the job- you'll find something.
Thanks Cheerfulfifi,
I think you missed the point. I love children and am very eager to teach them. I am positive I want to teach elementary, but was not sure what is a good grade to teach? I am open to every grade for elementary. There is not a lot of job openings and I wanted to know what grade levels are hiring mostly? What grade level is on demand for teachers?
Is there any way that you can volunteer in the classroom? If you get first hand experience of what each grade level is like I'm sure you'll figure out which grade level(s) are right for you.
People applying for teaching positions rarely get to choose a particular grade. There's an opening in grade ___, take it or leave it.
As to whether you want early childhood or older kids in general, try to get a feel for both. I would imagine that your college will, at some point, have you observing classes. Try for a variety of age levels to see which you prefer.
There's no one-size-fits all anwer here, it really is a matter of personal preference.
People applying for teaching positions rarely get to choose a particular grade. There's an opening in grade ___, take it or leave it.
As to whether you want early childhood or older kids in general, try to get a feel for both. I would imagine that your college will, at some point, have you observing classes. Try for a variety of age levels to see which you prefer.
There's no one-size-fits all anwer here, it really is a matter of personal preference.
Good luck, and welcome!
It's hard to predict the future and know what grade levels will need teachers.Like Alice said you take what they offer you, pretty much. When I went to the university, I thought I really wanted to teach 3-5 grade. When I got my first job, it was for kindergarten. I took it and have taught it for several years.
I would do what someone suggested, volunteer. You'll find out first hand what YOU want. Plus, volunteering may lead to good references for the future.
I just wanted to point out..even if you think you KNOW what grade you would like...you never know until you spend time there.
When I first went to college I had planned to teach high school band. And if you asked my preference...a band with an outstanding marching program. (Teaching Drum Corp would be even better.)
When I graduated...i found that the high schools wanted experience and I had none! So, i ended up getting a job teaching grade school general music K-8, beginning band, and chorus. I dreaded it before the time began....and then I LOVED it. My mother said..."don't stop until you REACH your goal." But, Mom... goals change. Now I love teaching general music to grade schoolers.
Years later I went back to college for my elementary ed certification. I had a hard time deciding what grade I would ultimately love teaching (since i previously taught kids from ALL ages). Settled on my goal of teaching second grade. But they gave me a fifth grade in clinical teaching...and I came to LOVE the challenge of higher-leveled thinking and coming up with educational challenges.
So fifth was now the goal.
Someone didn't get the memo...and my student teaching took me back to second grade. I started out a bit disappointed in the drop of abilities. I had come to love fifth grade. But over time, second grade captured my heart again. So I was settled. The goal was to teach between second and fifth grade. But NO YOUNGER!!! I ended up not getting a job, so I subbed. Enjoyed most classes/ages... but hated my time in kindergarten!!!
Finally I got a Long term subbing assignment. I accepted it even BEFORE learning of the grade level.
WHAT???? did you say preschool AM / kindergarten PM???? Are you NUTS??????
Here i am, now into just having passed the 3rd week of it on my own (about 2 months into having spent time with this class), and I am really really enjoying it. To the point that IF they offered me to teach this grade...i wouldn't mind it.
Go figure. (A long, L-O-N-G way from teaching blasting trumpet riffs in drum corp, huh?)
So, understand... goals shift. I love watching drum corp..and would jump at an opportunity to work with it again someday. But I am getting a REAL KICK about seeing which way my life is taking me. I feel like that feather on a breeze at the beginning of Forrest Gump.... "ya never know whatcha gonna get."
Hmm, I suspect that the need for teachers of particular grade levels is something that would vary quite a bit depending on where you live.
I live in Spain and here you don't get hired for a particular grade level, you just get hired at a school. Seniority determines what grade you teach-- new hires get last choice. But, here you do two years with one group-- kids have the same teacher for 1st-2nd, a new one for 3rd-4th, and a different one for 5th-6th. I've always liked that idea, because you get more time with the kids and you get to do two different levels.
