Chapter Four Outside the Classroom

A Profile of Teaching  Education is one of the largest and most influential professions. Over 3.3 million public school teachers in the United States. Over 3.3 million public school teachers in the United States. More than a quarter million teachers in private schools. More than a quarter million teachers in private schools. About 1.2 million college professors. About 1.2 million college professors. Over a million men and women in education- related jobs. Over a million men and women in education- related jobs.

Why we Teach  Love working with children.  Want to make a difference in a child’s life.  Teaching is a calling.  Teaching provides a service to society.  You have independence in the classroom.  You have a lot of time off.  You are a professional and have a position of respect.  Helping young people.

Who We Are  Teachers in public schools today are a diverse group of individuals.  Nearly 83% of all teachers are white with about 17% from a minority group.  The average age of teachers today is about 43 years with nearly 1 in 6 in their twenties.  Our profession will become much “younger” in the future as older teachers retire.  Nearly all public school teachers have earned their bachelors degree.  The majority of teachers today have completed some post-graduate work.

Men and Women Teachers  In the elementary grades, more than eight in ten teachers are women (84%).  In areas such as social studies, the majority of teachers are men (62%).  In math and science there are roughly equal numbers of men (52%) and women (48%).

Lack of Parental Support  For teachers, the most pressing problem facing education today is the lack of interest and support of parents.  The home is the first place of learning and attitudes toward school are shaped there.

Why Some Parents do not support Education  Financial problems  Domestic upheavals  A culture of educational failure  Language difficulties  Parental naïveté regarding education

Helping Parents Help Their Children Learn  Parents should demonstrate support for teachers and show interest in their child’s schooling.  Parents should make sure that their child’s homework is completed.  Parents should have a quiet place for children to study.  Parents should regulate television viewing.  Parents should read to young children and should also do their own reading.

Improving Public Attitudes toward Education  Reach out to the community to communicate both the needs and realities of education.  Get the true story of public education to the American people.  Focus on the positive things in education.  Join professional organizations (NEA, AFT) that promote a more positive image of public schools.  Support politicians who are friendly to public education.

Improving Parents’ Attitudes Towards Education  Develop a rapport with the parents.  Use written and oral communications in the form of notes, phone calls, s.  Schedule face-to-face conferences to develop a positive relationship with parents.  Send out Good-News Memos.  Invite parents into the classroom.  Ask parents for their advice on managing their child.  When talking with parents, use “we” instead of “I” or “you.”  Send out midterm reports.

Helping All Children Learn  Enrich classroom lessons with available resources and technology Examples: PowerPoints; the Internet Examples: PowerPoints; the Internet  Employ “partner reading” to improve reading skills.  Use cooperative and group learning to minimize competition.  Use “Low Tech and No Tech” ideas to enrich lessons Examples: photographs; wall maps; transparencies; videos Examples: photographs; wall maps; transparencies; videos  Enrich homework assignments by challenging students with work that cannot be done in the classroom Examples: interviews; science projects Examples: interviews; science projects

Salaries of Teachers  In the last decade, teacher salaries have risen sharply.  The average teacher salary today is around $50,000.  Beginning salaries are about $33,000.  Some communities will supplement the salaries of their teachers with sign-on bonuses, insurance plans, low cost mortgages, and discounts from local department stores.

Quality of Life Quality of Life  We are engaged with optimistic young people.  We work fewer hours, fewer days, and have more vacation time than other professionals.  If we do our jobs well, we have lifelong job security.