1. Chapter Two
Teaching Stories

2. U.S. Public School Teachers… by the numbers
Female: 70 %
Caucasian: 87%
Married: 73%
Under age 30: 10%
Ages 30-39: 21%
Ages 40-49: 27%
Ages 50 and over: 42%
Master’s degree or higher: 60% .

3. What do these numbers mean?
Teacher workforce doesn’t match the growing diversity of the student body;
More men are teaching than were 5 years ago;
More teachers have at least a Masters degree today than they did 5 years ago.

4. Why do people become teachers?
They really liked school!
They care deeply about children and adolescents!
They want to make a contribution to the social good.

5. Joys of Teaching Most exciting aspects of teaching?
That aha! moment when students “get it,” especially if they’ve been struggling
Possibilities of each new day, new year
Student growth
My growth

6. Some of the Challenges
Keeping current with recording data; attendance, grades, progress reports
Meeting expectations of state testing protocols
Being over-prepared each day

7. Other Challenges Your salary is not what you hoped it would be.
The students’ parents are very demanding.
The administration is not as supportive as you hoped.
Building relationships with colleagues is sometimes difficult.

8. Reality Teaching
Watch TeachSource Video Case, “The First Year of Teaching: One Colleague’s Story”
What ways did Will find to cope with the challenges of his first year of teaching?

9. Add to Your Teaching Philosophy
Who we are influences what we do
A teacher who’s a musician might use music in his lessons in ways you cannot, no matter how much you wish you could
A teacher who loves sports may use local ball games to make a point in class

10. “Hidden Curriculum”
Social norms (or “culture”) of your classroom and school taught through:
Your interactions with students
Communication of expectations regarding student achievement & demeanor
Your passion for teaching & learning
-Term coined by sociologist Phillip Jackson in 1968

11. Possible Support for Teachers
Colleagues
Mentors (inc. your college professors)
Administrators
Students
Parents
Other community members

12. Use Your Support Effectively
Listen
Reflect: Write down what you learn about your school, community in teaching diary
Expectations
Culture
Ways to connect
Join mentoring program

13. Mentor Programs (“Induction”)
Goal: Acclimate and help you become a reflective teacher who responds to students’ diverse cultural, social, linguistic backgrounds
Program generally offers:
Mentor (trained master teacher)
Weekly participant sharing meetings

14. Begin Your Education Journal
May wish to include:
Your educational autobiography
Drawing of yourself as a teacher
Strengths, weaknesses as new teacher
Discoveries about the profession
Field placement experiences, feelings
Create your story online or on paper – but do it!

15. Field Placement
Teacher candidates’ experiences in actual school in grade of their choice
Begin as observers, then become participant-observers, then teach lessons
Perhaps only 10 hours/week to start, building to “student teaching”: Full-time teaching
Student teaching required for certification in many states

16. “To Teach Is to Learn” Globalization affects students & teachers
Changing interests, access to information
Teachers must constantly adapt, ask “what will work best for these students today?”
“Learning community”: Classroom(s) or school organized to promote active learning, collaboration between teacher & students, sense that everyone is a learner

17. Professional Development
Lifelong improvement of skills, knowledge
Advanced formal courses
“In-service” experiences
Personal reading, reflection, & analysis
Conferences
Membership in professional organization
Informal experiences (museums)
$ incentives for annual continuing education offered in many districts

18. Prof. Development Resources
American Federation of Teachers
National Education Association
National Assoc. for Ed. of Young Children
eduScapes
National Council for the Social Studies
National Council of Teachers of English
National Science Teachers Association
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

19. Interview a Classroom Teacher
Subject, grade-level match, 30 minutes
What made you become a teacher?
Most exciting aspects?
Challenges?
How do you know you’re successful?
Professional development, sources of support
How do you define teaching?
What advice would you offer a future teacher?

20. The Hidden Curriculum
What students learn as they participate in the act of going to school…..
School: an arena for socialization…
How teachers treat and react to students is part of the hidden curriculum
Students “know” if teachers are happy to be there, respect themselves and their students, and treat students equitably!

21. What does it take to be a teacher?
In addition to our earlier thoughts:
Self-reflection
Good analytical skills
Desire to be a lifelong learner
Hard work and preparation
Centered presence in classroom