1. Becoming a Teacher 1

2. 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

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

4. 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 %
Source: National Education Association, Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2006.
Figure 1.1

5. TEACHER SALARIES 1.4 Region 2006-07 Average Salary
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

6. TEACHER SALARIES 1.5 Region 2006-07 Average Salary
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

7. TEACHER SALARIES 1.6 Region 2006-07 Average Salary
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

8. TEACHER SALARIES 1.7 Region 2006-07 Average Salary
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

9. TEACHER SALARIES 1.8 Region 2006-07 Average Salary
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

10. TEACHER SALARIES 1.9 SOUTHEAST U.S. AVERAGE $51,009 $35,284 Region
Average Salary
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

11. TEACHER SALARIES 1.10 Region 2006-07 Average Salary
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

12. TEACHER SALARIES 1.11 Region 2006-07 Average Salary
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

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

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

15. 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.

16. 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.

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

18. 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.

19. 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?