1. Teaching: Your Chosen Profession
Chapter 1
Teaching: Your Chosen Profession
Developed by:
Don Finn
Regent University

2. Chapter 1 Focus Questions
Why do I want to teach?
What are the benefits of teaching?
What are the challenges of teaching?
What will society expect of me as a teacher?
What is the job outlook for teachers?

3. The Teaching Profession
If you want to make a difference…become a teacher
Teaching Not for Everyone
Successful Teachers Know why they want to teach
Become observers of
Teachers
Students
Classrooms
Schools
Community

4. Why Do I Want to Teach? Primary reasons to Teach
Many Different reasons for Becoming a Teacher
Primary reasons to Teach
Most teachers teach because they care for children
Desire to work with children and young people
Principals identified: Caring for children is an important characteristic when hiring a teacher
59% teachers – very satisfied
75%-continue to be involved in education after retirement (Harris, 2010)

5. Needs of Diverse Learners
Increase racial /ethnic groups and Special needs students
Student variability differences among students’ developmental needs, interests, abilities and disabilities
Student diversity differences among students’ gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status

6. Why Do I Want to Teach? 1-Passion for Teaching
Teachers often teach because of the following
Passion of Subject
Passion for the Teaching Life
Joy of Teaching
Passion for the Teaching-Learning Process
3,000 low-level decisions made by teachers each day

7. Why Do I Want to Teach? #2 Influence of Teachers
Positive relationships with previous teachers may have influenced the desire to teach.
Not necessarily born teachers
Early experiences frequently encourage individuals to become a teacher.
Besides parents/guardians, teachers have a great influence on students.
A positive relationship with a teacher may be the catalyst for wanting to become a teacher.

8. Why Do I Want to Teach? #3 Desire to Serve
Teaching is chosen out of a desire to serve others
Want life’s work to have meaning
More than just a job
Influenced by experience volunteering in educational settings
Desire to give something back to society
Post 9/11 increase in teaching
Teach for America (1990, Wendy Kopp)
2 year teaching assignment – rural/urban schools
: 11,000 corp members in 48 regions

9. Teacher Characteristics
A passion for learning
Success as a student
Good sense of humor
Positive attitude toward students
Tolerance toward others
Patience
Good verbal / writing skills
Appreciation for the arts
Experience working with children
Other teachers in family
Encouragement from family
Desire to serve
Figure 1.1

10. What are the benefits of teaching?
Practical benefits of teaching
Hours and vacations
Flexibility
“Mini vacations” year round
Salaries are increasing
Fringe benefits

11. What are the benefits teaching?
Salaries have been on the increase
the national average was $41,807
the national average was $56,689
Mississippi Average Salary $42,187
Salary Determined by Years of experience and Advanced Training
Additional Duties (Coaching, Yearbook, Afterschool / Summer school)
Fringe benefits
Medical insurance
Retirement

12. What are the Challenges of Teaching?
Long working hours
High Stakes Testing
Tech Savvy Students

13. What are the Challenges of Teaching?
Long working hours
52 hrs. per week
non-compensated) Paperwork/documentation
Non-teaching responsibilities take time/energy
High Stakes Testing

14. What are the Challenges of Teaching?
2002: NCLB (No Child Left Behind)
Statewide testing in Reading/Mathematics
AYP: Adequate Yearly Progress
If AYP Not met –
School district provide transportation to another school of student/parent choice
Pay for supplemental services (tutoring)

15. What are the Challenges of Teaching?
3. Motivating Tech-Savvy Students
Digital Natives -born after digital technologies developed
Digital usage for 8-18 years old:
7 hours and 38 minutes per day
Schools – New technology is found in the periphery of core academic practice
Students communicate digitally…
Previously information “Push-out” world and passively receive information
Today live in Multi-directional conversation spaces

16. What Will Society Expect of Me as a Teacher?
Teachers are Public Servants
1. To be Trustworthy-Public Trust
Public Scrutiny / Control
Public has GREATER confidence in LOCAL Schools
53% A or B rating for LOCAL School (2013)
Attitudes about Nation’s schools in general are lower
19% A or B rating to Nation’s Schools

17. What Will Society Expect of Me as a Teacher?2.
Teacher Proficiencies
Instructional strategies
Curriculum Materials
Educational technologies
Classroom Management
Understanding of Child Development
Knowledge of Content
Help all learners succeed—Potential of all children
All students develop to their full potential
Need to stay informed of exemplary practices

18. What Will Society Expect of Me as a Teacher?
3. Teacher Accountability
Society agrees that teacher are responsible for promoting students’ learning.
Understand how factors affect student achievement
Student background, attitudes, learning style
Create a safe and effective learning environment
Accountable for
equalizing educational opportunity
promoting social justice
maintain high professional standards

19. What is the Job Outlook for Teachers?
Student Enrollment in Public Schools
49.5 Million students ( )
Projected increase to 53.1 Million students by (7% Increase)
Teacher Employment in Public Schools
3.7 Million Teachers in 2013
4.1 Million Teacher by 2021 (11% Increase)
* Impact of teacher Retirement
High Demand Fields: Science, Mathematics, Bilingual, and Special Education

20. Teaching and the National Economy
Teaching and the Economic Recession
The 2008 financial crisis led to school district cuts
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of $100 Billion for education
Additional $10 Billion to retain/rehire teachers
Tenure: job security granted to teachers after satisfactory performance for a specified period (usually 2-5 years)

21. Teaching and the National Economy
Demand
Signing bonus, loan-forgiveness programs
Recruitment of Teachers from Minority Groups
Teachers of Color – 17%
48% of public school students represent minority group
Bilingual Teachers - Increase in ESL enrollment
Teachers with Disabilities (10% of Students)
personal experience advantage (Walk in My Shoes)
The number of minority & disability student populations is increasing, teachers who can specialize or are willing to move will find favorable positions

22. Early Field Experience?
Observations
ED 280 Early Field Experience
5 Hours of Video Observation
Posted on TeacherWeb Site
teacherweb.com/MS/MVSU/teached
5 Hours School Site/Classroom Observation
Required Background Check
Required Liability Insurance
Mandatory Meeting: Monday, Jan. 30th 5:00 PM

23. Observation Process Focused Observation Examines Students Teacher
Interactions teacher- students
Structure of the Lesson
Classroom Setting

24. How Will I Become a Highly Qualified Teacher?
Highly Qualified Teachers (HQTs)
Have a bachelor’s degree
Full state certification
1 Year Expert Citizen License
*1 Year Teacher Intern License
3 Year Non-Renewable License
*5 Year RENEWABLE License
Knowledge of subject taught

25. How Will I Become a Highly Qualified Teacher?
Professional Standards
Sets of standards from professional associations that evaluate progress toward becoming an effective teacher
Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation- CAEP
MVSU NCATE Review Fall 2014 –
MVSU Continuing Accreditation Status
Certification and Licensure
Teaching certificate – a license to teach
MS. Dept. of Education – ELMS

26. Teacher Attrition Rates
During 1st three years of teaching, the attrition rate is 9.1 %
Attrition Rates
Special Education (12.3%)
English (10.5%)
Art/Music (4.1%)
Early Childhood (5.6%)

27. Induction Programs Especially during the 1st year of teaching
Induction Programs provide beginning teachers with continued assistance
Especially during the 1st year of teaching
Mentor provides moral support, guidance, and feedback to students at various stages.
Mentor are school-based
University Supervisor

28. How Will I Become a Highly Qualified Teacher?
Praxis Series
“Putting theory into practice”
The evaluation process of becoming a teacher
Praxis CORE (Reading, Mathematics, Writing) EARLY
ACT Exemption – Score 21 or greater (18 on each subtest)
Praxis II. Subject Assessments
PLT – Principles of Learning and Teaching
Foundations of Reading Test (Pearson)
*New Requirement for Elementary Education
State Licensure Certification Requirements
GPA Increase to 2.75

29. www.teacherweb.com/MS/MVSU/teached Teacher Web Online Handouts
Assignments
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30. Light Bulb Moments