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Malik 1 Aadil Malik Ms. Whisler Portfolio I January 9 th , 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 25 th in math and 21 st 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.

Pedagogy - A Career in Education - Aadil Malik Research Paper

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Page 1: Pedagogy - A Career in Education - Aadil Malik Research Paper

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.

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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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