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Malik 1
Aadil Malik
Ms. Whisler
Portfolio I
January 9th, 2012
Pedagogy: Exploring a Career of a Teacher
Guaranteeing education for all children is critical to America’s social and economic
future. The United States’ economic competitiveness and the path to the ‘American Dream’
depends on providing every child with an education that will enable them to succeed in an
evolving academic climate that is centered on knowledge and innovation (Education | White
House). According to a study reported by The Broad Education Foundation, a national
entrepreneurial philanthropy that seeks to transform American urban public education, students
in America rank 25th in math and 21st in science compared to students in other developed
countries (Statistics on American Education). Education is an issue that affects America’s
national strength, security, and image. Dramatic new opportunities are being created to educate
America’s youth to prevent falling behind other countries. As the urge for education reform is at
a rise, American school districts are seeking strong, talented leadership and teachers who are
passionate and willing to ensure the brightest possible futures for the youth of their country.
Figure 1 shows dramatic statistics regarding the current education climate in America,
including issues concerning drop-outs and lost income. Contrary to popular belief, the majority
Figure 1
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of American students are falling behind their international counterparts. Therefore, President
Barack Obama has set out new initiatives to improve teaching across the country. The
government of the U.S. urges Americans to consider a career in education. Teachers are the
single most important resource to a child’s learning. Laws are being created to ensure that
teachers are supported as professionals in the classroom, while also holding them more
accountable. The President has invested in innovative strategies to help teachers to improve
student outcomes, and use rewards and incentives to keep talented teachers in the schools that
need them the most. While rewarding outstanding teachers and recruiting the best and brightest
to the field of teaching, the government is also challenging school districts to remove ineffective
teachers from the classroom (Education | White House).
However, to most, the political climate of academic reforms is merely another reason to
consider a career in education. In fact, teaching has many rewards. Teachers directly affect the
lives of the students of the future. It is gratifying for a teacher to watch a student develop and
achieve academically, socially and eventually— professionally. They are directly responsible for
educating future generations of workers and innovators. Beyond the gratification of aiding in the
progress of students, teachers have a demanding job that entails making decisions,
communicating with individuals from a myriad of cultures, explaining vital and often complex
subject matter, and most currently– fulfilling the combination of governmental and parental
requirements demanded to guarantee a positive outcome for the forthcoming generations of
America.
Personality Traits
Famous writer, Elbert Hubbard, once said, “Down in their hearts, wise men know this
truth: The only way to help yourself is to help others” (People Smart). Educators are usually
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people who enjoy interacting with others and have a great deal of flexibility. According to
Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, a person who is classified as People Smart
would do well in a job in the field of education. People Smart individuals have a developed and
wide array of social skills and are attuned to other people. They are well-suited for a varied
amount of occupations, including education careers, because they can understand others and are
capable of communicating effectively (People Smart). An example of a People Smart person is
current United States President, Barack Obama. Obama’s ability to orate and advocate his ideas
to people gives him the strength to be a great leader.
Those who are interested in the career of education should also familiarize themselves
Gardner’s Word Smart category, or linguistic intelligence. Word Smart individuals are capable
of using language effectively through both mediums of speech and writing. People with word
smarts tend to have high verbal memory and recall of information presented in lectures and
writing, which are qualities any aspiring teacher should have (Word Smart). Communicating
effectively is integral in being a successful teacher.
Job Description
Educators play a crucial role in fostering the intellectual and social development of
adolescents in their formative years. They plan, evaluate, assign lessons; prepare, administer, and
grade tests; create curriculum, communicate effectively, and maintain classroom discipline
(BLS).
Middle and secondary school teachers help students analyze topics with a deeper
intelligence, and as a result expose them to more information in the world. Secondary teachers
specialize in specific subjects, such as English, mathematics, or history. In addition to
conducting classroom activities, teachers are responsible for overseeing study halls and
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homerooms, supervising field trips, and initiating extracurricular activities (BLS). Along with
these responsibilities, teachers are committed to tasks such as establishing and enforcing rules for
classroom behavior, maintaining student grades and records, planning classwork, and evaluating
students’ progress (O*Net).
Teachers also work with students from varied ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds
(BLS). It is important for a teacher to understand how to communicate effectively to a diverse
body of students. An observation made by a student at South Brandywine Middle School in the
classroom of history teacher, Mr. Anthony Olseski, reveals that the same topic being taught to
one class with a uniquely diverse population of students was interpreted differently by another
group (Olseski). This reveals the importance of the way a teacher needs to communicate his/her
lessons. Teachers must also have the ability to listen and comprehend both spoken and written
information, and use deductive/inductive reasoning and speech clarity skills to be able to present
themselves clearly to their students (O*Net).
According to About.com guide, Melissa Kelly, “Teaching is a noble profession but also a
time consuming one” (Kelly). In order to achieve success in the classroom, a teacher must realize
that the 7 ½ to 8 hours of their work day must really be spent with their students, not creating
lesson plans or grading tests. To improve relationships with their students, a teacher will be
responsible for spending some of their “own time” attending sport activities, school plays, and
other activities (Kelly). In order to be a good teacher, one must treat students as consumers of
knowledge, not strangers or simply children.
As technology enters the mainstream, teachers must also be able to effectively use
technological resources on a daily basis. For example, educators of all levels may be required to
know how to use LCD projectors, computers, printers, scanners, photocopiers, video cameras,
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laboratory beakers and hotplates, etc. They also should know how to use word processing,
spreadsheet, and presentation software (O*Net).
Often, the most important yet overlooked aspect of a teacher’s career would be their work
environment. According to a survey taken by the National Center for Education Statistics, some
teachers view their work environments as unsupportive. The survey indicates that only one-third
of teachers agreed strongly that parents support their efforts to education their children (NCES).
In addition, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports than many teachers, particularly in public
schools, are frustrated by the lack of control they have over what they teach. This factor may
lead to some teachers feeling unsupported and isolated (BLS). Though many feel there is a lack
of motivation from student’s parents, they also are optimistic and believe in the potentiality of
improvement.
In addition, most states have tenure laws that prevent public school teachers from being
fired without reason. Teachers can obtain tenure by completing three years of teaching in a
classroom (BLS). The concept of tenure has caused controversy within many school districts in
the United States. The film, Waiting for Superman, portrays a documentary on the modern-day
public school system. One of the aspects covered in the film is the concept of tenure, and
whether it should be eliminated or not. The film depicts a scene of a “rubber room” in New York
City, where several teachers are being paid simply to sit, read newspapers, and sleep as they are
not required to teach under the law of tenure. According to the film, tenure costs the city around
$100 million per year, and administrators of these schools are unable to afford better teachers
and programs within their schools (Superman). This aspect of the work environment of teachers
is becoming more troubling as education reforms continue to pass. Though tenure may be
beneficial towards adult teachers, it may prove harmful towards students.
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There are other current political problems to consider as an aspiring teacher, including the
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was introduced to Congress by former President George
W. Bush’s administration in 2001. Enacted during a time of public concern regarding the state of
education, the NCLB legislation set in place requirements that reached into virtually every public
school in America. It expanded the federal role in education and took particular aim at achieving
proficiency. At the core of the NCLB Act were a number of measures designed to drive student
achievement and to hold states and schools more accountable for student progress (Issues: No
Child Left Behind). Recently, President Obama’s administration has passed a waiver allowing 10
states to be exempt from the NCLB Act. Dr. Paru Shah, Assistant Professor of Political Science
at Macalester College, conducted a survey in which 87 elementary school teachers in Chaska
School District were asked questions regarding their opinion on the NCLB act. The survey
revealed that only 13% of teachers said the sanctions improved teaching, 90% said they were
under unfair pressure to improve student test scores, and 88% believed the act caused teachers to
ignore important aspects of curriculum. The survey also addressed perceived changes in
instructional efforts and possible changes needed for improving education. Shah’s survey
concluded with the notion that NCLB needs to be re-evaluated and reshaped into an effective
policy (The Teachers Voice).
Earnings
In 2006, public school teachers at all levels – kindergarten, elementary, middle, and
secondary – had median annual earnings that ranged from $43,580 to $48,690 in May 2006
(BLS). In Pennsylvania, however, the median salary for an educator is $51,300. The top ten
percent earn $67,490 (Job Outlook for Teachers).
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Teachers with bachelor’s degrees often earn less than those with master’s degrees.
Getting a master’s degree or national certification often results in a raise in pay. Other teachers
earn extra income by participating in school events, coaching student sports, and working with
students in extracurricular activities. Some teachers also receive bonuses during the summer by
volunteering to tutor or teach summer classes. Although private school teachers generally earn
less than those who teach public schools, they may be given special benefits such as free or
subsidized housing (BLS).
In addition to regular salary, one of the benefits of being a teacher is the impressive
benefits package most schools offer. Most public schools grant their faculty comprehensive
health and life insurance, as well as government pension plans. For example, teachers who
become members of the union, National Education Association, can choose from a variety of
health/dental coverage options to meet their needs and budget (NEA). At private schools,
teachers are likely to enjoy perks such as free or discounted tuition for their own children (The
Benefits of Teaching).
In 2006, more than half of all elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers were
actively involved in unions such as the American Federation of Teachers (BLS). Unions are
helpful for teachers because they can be formed to advocate for higher wages, less hours, and
other terms of employment. Teachers can also plea for more benefits such as medical insurance
and retirement plans. For example, the National Education Association is a union committed to
advancing public education. NEA's 3.2 million members work at every level of education—from
pre-school to university graduate programs (NEA).
In today’s poor economy, the rate of unemployment in the United States is at a rise. The
current rate is 8.2%. A current population survey compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
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shows a decline in unemployment in those who have a higher education or experience
background. 1.9% of teachers who have doctoral degrees are unemployed, whereas 5.4% of
teachers with Bachelor’s degrees are unemployed (BLS). In an interview regarding salary and
benefits, 8th-grade history teacher Anthony Olseski said, “If money was the first thing that
mattered, I would be doing something else” (Olseski). Though salary is an important aspect in
every career, to many, the enjoyment and pleasure of being a teacher is truly what matters the
most.
Prerequisites
The traditional route to becoming a public school teacher is through receiving a
bachelor’s degree and then licensure. The road to becoming a successful teacher truly begins in
the classroom, as a student. Aspiring teachers learn their craft in college education courses and
special teacher training courses. In addition, public school teachers must obtain a state license.
Requirements for these courses vary, but they typically include supervised practice teaching or
student teaching, and an exam (Teaching Career Requirements).
While in college, aspiring teachers should try to gain experience volunteering within a
classroom with children in the age group they wish to teach. They should check with local
schools in their community for volunteer opportunities such as tutoring programs. America
Reads, a national volunteer service that was introduced in 1997, challenges candidates in the
career field of education to help children learn to read well and independently by the end of
elementary school. There are approximately 1,200 colleges and universities participating in the
America Reads Challenge. The program provides aspiring teachers with the opportunity to gain
experience working with children (Teachers Count).
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The requirements for teacher licensure/certification are set by each individual state’s
Department of Education. While the state licensing requirements do differ among states, most
states require teachers to fulfill a standard set of requirements. In order to become a teacher, an
individual must hold a bachelor's degree, and, in some states, a post-baccalaureate or master's
degree. For secondary subjects, you will usually need a degree in the area you wish to teach. In
addition, an aspiring teacher will likely have to participate in an approved, accredited education
program that fulfills student teaching and practicum requirements (Teachers Count).
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, for initial certification, teachers
must earn a Baccalaureate degree, complete an approved program, and pass the Praxis Series
exam. These tests measure basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. In addition to
licensure, these tests are often used to qualify candidates for entry into a teacher education
program (Praxis Series). Teachers certified at an accredited college or university in one state may
be allowed to transfer their teaching certificate to another state, under the law of reciprocity.
Usually, a state will require teachers who were licensed elsewhere to meet any local
requirements for certification within a specified period of time. Getting certified in New York
means you have reciprocity with over 30 other states. Some states have reciprocity with more
states, and others with fewer states (Becoming a Teacher). In today’s job climate, once
candidates are exposed to the market, they should not only meet the requirements set by the state,
but also have additional volunteer experiences and have participated in unique educational
training programs in order to land a job.
Outlook
Opportunities for teachers should be excellent in the coming decade. With a college
education and personal experience as students themselves, teachers aspire to lead a new
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generation of students to their own professional success. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, employment of school teachers is expected to grow by 12 percent between 2006 and
2016. Job openings are directly dependent on the growth in the industry – as the industry grows,
more jobs are created and wages are increased (BLS).
Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, kindergarten, elementary school,
middle school, and secondary school teachers, held about 3.5 million jobs in 2008. Of the
teachers in those jobs, about 179,500 were kindergarten teachers, 1.5 million were elementary
school teachers, 659,500 were middle school teachers, and 1.1 million were secondary school
teachers. Employment of teachers is geographically distributed much the same as the population
(BLS).
However, the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce challenges
these statistics and labels them as “misinforming”. The current education requirement projections
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics use a methodology that underestimates the demand for
postsecondary education. In its 1998 forecast, which covered a 10-year timeline through 2008,
the Bureau under-predicted how many workers in the U.S. labor force would have Associate’s
degrees or better by 19 million. According to Georgetown, that projection was off by 47 percent.
Georgetown’s methodology, for that same period, over-predicted postsecondary educational
demand by about 2 million workers—an error rate of just 4 percent (Help Wanted: Projections of
Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018). It can be assumed that because the official
data consistently underestimates the demand for postsecondary education, it could encourage a
consistent bias against investing in postsecondary education and training. Whether or not there is
a significant demand by employers in the education industry for teachers to have a postsecondary
education is uncertain; however, aiming to achieve a degree should not be discouraged.
Malik 11
President Barack Obama has taken methods of education reform to ensure every child has
an effective teacher. Obama stated, “Particularly at a time when our nation is facing a shortage in
teachers due to retirement and retention problems, it is important to ensure that we can attract,
support, and retain high-quality teachers” (Barack Obama on Education). The outlook on a
career in education today is extremely dependent on the current socio-political climate.
Specifically, Obama plans to provide funding for 200 new Teacher Residency Programs. In these
programs, individuals completing coursework for teacher certification could serve as apprentices
in the classrooms of veteran teachers, as long as they pledged at least three years of service in the
sponsoring district (Barack Obama on Education).
Due to current political education reforms, aspiring teachers are encouraged to seek
careers in the fields of math and science. President Obama says he wants to make math and
science education a “national priority”, noting that 80 percent of the fastest growing occupations
are dependent upon a knowledge in those fields, yet studies show American students do not
graduate with the skills for them. Obama believes the way students are tested in the areas needs
to be changed, and he states is committed to working with governors and educators to test
“inquiry and higher order thinking skills including inference, logic, data analysis and
interpretation, forming questions, and communication” (Barack Obama on Education). Recently,
schools have introduced the STEM program, which stands for Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics. This program was fueled by America's demand for educated
individuals to fill the job openings requiring skilled STEM workers in order to keep jobs in the
U.S (STEM School Blog). As education is an imperative for each American family, the growth
of the job industry is steady and promising.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics recognizes the new political standpoints on education on
how they are impacting projection data and outlooks. Their report states: “At the Federal level,
there has been a large increase in funding for education, particularly for the hiring of qualified
teachers in lower income areas” (BLS). Statistically, the outlook for a career in education
appears strong as well. According to Georgetown University’s studies, Education occupations
will provide a commensurate share of job openings between 2008 and 2018. These occupations
currently account for 9 million jobs and will grow to 10.2 million by 2018, a net increase of 1.3
million new jobs. Education occupations will produce 3 million job openings over the decade,
including 1.3 million net new jobs and 1.7 job openings from retirement. According to Figure 2,
the mean average percent of growth in employment seems to be at a steady 6.3% increase (Help
Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018).
Figure 2
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Advancement in modernizing and changing education paradigms is not only possible, it
is happening, and today’s teachers are being held responsible by parents and a demanding
government to help and prepare students for the rigors of life beyond the classroom. The problem
is that the current system of education fosters a design conceived for a different age and culture;
educators are trying to meet the future by doing what they did in the past. However, as the
federal government takes charge at attempting to reform education, careers in education are at a
steady rise, and progress seems imminent. President of the United States, Barack Obama, is
working to replace ineffective teachers with teachers who guarantee high-quality education for
their students. Teaching is not perceived only as a career choice, but a life purpose with moral
benefits. Of course, while there are countless advantages of being a teacher, there are
disadvantages as well, including a comparatively low salary to other occupations, a physically
demanding work schedule, and constant stimulating pressure from students and parents alike.
Though all facets of a career in education today encompass a sense of political and social
urgency, the art of becoming and being a teacher lies not only in striving to satisfy these needs,
but by ensuring these needs are united with passion, commitment, and a promise for mutual
success.
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"25-2031.00 - Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education."
O*NET OnLine. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-
2031.00>.
AFT Teachers: A Union of Professionals. Becoming a Teacher. Web. 25 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.aft.org/pdfs/tools4teachers/becomingateacher0608.pdf>.
"Barack Obama on Education." Education.com. 1 Aug. 2008. Web. 25 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Barack_Obama/>.
"The Benefits of Teaching." Benefits of Being a Teacher. Web. 25 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.teacher-world.com/articles/benefits-of-being-a-teacher.html>.
Carnevale, Anthony P. Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through
2018. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. June 2010. Web.
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Malik 15
"National Education Association." NEA. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. <http://www.nea.org/>.
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