Becoming a Teacher 1

BECOMING A TEACHER 1.1 The Good News The Bad News Improved salary Salary still behind other professions Recognized worth Status inferior to other professions Excitement of working with youth Little contact with adults Student appreciation Little recognition from adults Intellectual stimulation Repetition Creativity Routine Making a difference Loss of idealism

Student Generated Responses WHY BECOME A TEACHER? 1.2 Student Generated Responses POSITIVE NEGATIVE

WHY TEACH? 1.3 Reasons Teachers Teach Teachers Agreeing Desire to work with young people 71% Value or significance of education to society 42% Interest in subject-matter field 39% Influence of teacher in elementary or 31% secondary school Influence of family 19% Source: National Education Association, Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2006. Figure 1.1

TEACHER SALARIES 1.4 Region 2006-07 Average Salary 2006-07 Beginning Salary NEW ENGLAND Connecticut $61,039 $41,497 Rhode Island $58,420 $34,838 Massachusetts $58,178 n/a Vermont $47,645 New Hampshire $46,797 $30,185 Maine $42,103 $28,517 U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Source: American Federation of Teachers, annual survey of state departments of education, released 2008. Figure 1.2

TEACHER SALARIES 1.5 Region 2006-07 Average Salary 2006-07 Beginning Salary MID-ATLANTIC New Jersey $59,730 $44,523 New York $59,557 $39,500 Maryland $56,927 $40,849 Pennsylvania $54,977 $36,599 Delaware $54,537 $39,941 U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Source: American Federation of Teachers, annual survey of state departments of education, released 2008. Figure 1.2

TEACHER SALARIES 1.6 Region 2006-07 Average Salary 2006-07 Beginning Salary GREAT LAKES Illinois $58,275 $38,363 Michigan $55,541 $34,100 Ohio $53,536 $35,676 Minnesota $49,719 $33,018 Indiana $47,832 $32,076 Wisconsin $46,707 $31,588 U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Source: American Federation of Teachers, annual survey of state departments of education, released 2008. Figure 1.2

TEACHER SALARIES 1.7 Region 2006-07 Average Salary 2006-07 Beginning Salary PLAINS Kansas $43,318 $30,408 Iowa $42,922 $30,331 Nebraska $42,044 $29,215 Missouri $40,384 $31,285 North Dakota $38,586 $27,064 South Dakota $35,378 $26,988 U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Source: American Federation of Teachers, annual survey of state departments of education, released 2008. Figure 1.2

TEACHER SALARIES 1.8 Region 2006-07 Average Salary 2006-07 Beginning Salary SOUTHWEST Texas $45,392 $38,522 Arizona $44,700 $35,127 New Mexico $42,780 $32,081 Oklahoma $42,379 $36,278 U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Source: American Federation of Teachers, annual survey of state departments of education, released 2008. Figure 1.2

TEACHER SALARIES 1.9 SOUTHEAST U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Region 2006-07 Average Salary 2006-07 Beginning Salary SOUTHEAST Georgia $49,836 $31,659 Virginia $49,130 n/a Florida $47,219 $37,600 North Carolina $46,137 $31,478 Arkansas $44,493 $30,510 South Carolina $44,335 $31,336 Tennessee $43,815 $33,459 Kentucky $43,787 $31,304 Alabama $43,389 $35,517 Louisiana $42,816 $34,410 West Virginia $40,534 $30,626 Mississippi $40,182 $32,141 U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Source: American Federation of Teachers, annual survey of state departments of education, released 2008. Figure 1.2

TEACHER SALARIES 1.10 Region 2006-07 Average Salary 2006-07 Beginning Salary ROCKY MOUNTAINS Wyoming $50,771 $40,084 Colorado $45,832 $36,211 Idaho $45,094 $30,000 Montana $41,146 $27,134 Utah $37,775 $28,653 U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Source: American Federation of Teachers, annual survey of state departments of education, released 2008. Figure 1.2

TEACHER SALARIES 1.11 Region 2006-07 Average Salary 2006-07 Beginning Salary FAR WEST California $63,640 $38,875 Alaska $54,678 $42,006 Hawaii $51,916 $39,361 Oregon $51,080 $35,400 Nevada $49,426 $35,480 Washington $47,880 $31,442 U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Source: American Federation of Teachers, annual survey of state departments of education, released 2008. Figure 1.2

PUBLIC TRUST IN VARIOUS PROFESSIONS 1.12 Source: National Education Association “Status of the American Public School Teacher,” 2000-2001 © 2003. Figure 1.3

NEW TEACHER SATISFACTION 1.13 Source: National Education Association “Status of the American Public School Teacher,” 2000-2001 © 2003.

WHAT’S WORTH TEACHING TEACHERS 1.14 ESSENTIAL TO TEACH… Lifelong learning and update skills Kids to be active learners Hold high expectations Know content Versed in child development With limited resources or if kids are not ready to learn Trained in pragmatic issues (time and behavior management) Maintain order and discipline Stress correct grammar, spelling, punctuation Expect students to be neat, on time, and polite Source: Different Drummers: How Teachers of Teachers View Public Education, Public Agenda, 1997.

ADULT PROSE LITERACY SCORES BY SELECTED OCCUPATION 1.15 Source: David C. Berliner, “A Personal Response to Those Who Bash Teacher Education,” Journal of Teacher Education 51, no. 5, November/December 2000.

PERCENT OF TEENS WHO FEEL THEY HAVE LEARNED CRITICAL SKILLS WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL 1.16 Figure 1.4

KEY TERMS National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) A professional organization charged with establishing voluntary standards for recognizing superior teachers as board certified. normal school   A two-year teacher education institution popular in the nineteenth century. Many normal schools were expanded to become today's state colleges and universities. pedagogy   The science of teaching. portfolio   Compilations of work (such as papers, projects, videotapes) assembled to demonstrate growth, creativity, and competence. Often advocated as a more comprehensive assessment than test scores.

FOCUS QUESTIONS 1. What are the advantages and the disadvantages of being a teacher? 2. What are the satisfactions—and the complaints—of today's teachers? 3. Is teaching a "good fit" for you? 4. Can we consider teaching to be a profession? 5. How has teacher preparation changed over the years? 6. Are America's schools a secret success story? 7. What steps can you take now on the road to becoming a teacher?