What do you think the advantages and disadvantages are to a professional becoming a teacher? For instance, I was an accountant for 11 years and now I am teaching business in high school.
One advantage I see to professionals becoming educators is their perspective. Being able to see why something is important (or not) helps them relate the information to their students. Professionals also have "been around the block" and have more resources at their disposal simply for having lived and worked in the real world.
A disadvantage might be that they aren't completely indoctrinated into the world of education. They might have certain expectations that aren't possible in the world of public schools. Overall, I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages (Probably because I was a professional who entered the field of public education). :)
I think it is beneficial for a professional to enter into education. They have gained extremely valuable experience by going out and experiencing life through a seperate career than education. They can bring that experience back into the classroom. Who better to teach a subject than someone who has already practiced it out in the real world? You can bring a different view to the classroom. Some teachers may not really know what to expect in work situations because they haven't been there.
I don't really see any disadvantage to this idea. As Tim said, they might not be completely in an educational mindset, but some teachers aren't anyways. Every teacher has to start somewhere.
Even though people tend to change jobs within their profession much more often than in years past ( i.e. my parents worked at the same jobs until they retired), I think many people get bored with what they are doing and welcome a change. Going into education is definitely a change but also a challenge. Those people may work harder than the typical education major just to prove themselves, which should make an excellent teacher in the long run.
Of course, there might be disadvantages the first few years simply because the "newcomer" doesn't know the ropes, but I really can't think of any long term disadvantages for the students to have a teacher that was previously in a field other than education. (Although a disadvantage to the teacher might be a decrease in pay, but we could talk about that all day, right?)
I think having professionals as teachers is a wonderful idea. Professionals can help their students with real life situations. Professionals know what the work force is looking for and can help train their students into becoming more "hirable". Professionals are also more knowledgeable on the subjet that they are teaching.
Two big disadvantages that professionals have over teachers as a chosen profession is that 1)Professionals tend to have trouble with classroom management and 2)They struggle with breaking the information down to the students level.
Well, I have followed a very similar track. So, I hope the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. One of the biggest disadvantages I can see is that it appears that education can be pretty bureaucratic. One example is just the bureaucracy involved in education oneself and getting licensed. Although I believe tough standards and are a good thing, the current process seems overly confusing and layered.
It seems like bureaucracy controls funding (way too much money spent carelessly in some areas while other areas cannot get funded). These types of things don't occur in business (or they don't for long) because business has to manage itself effectively in order to survive. Not so, it appears, in education.
Another disadvantage is pay. Sonya is right - we're not supposed to talk about that. We might talk ourselves out of it all together!
One big advantage is the ability to bring real-world into the classroom instead of just research and theory.
I think it is important to have teachers with real world expierence. Teachers who have expierence with a profession in the field they teach can provide great insight. I believe one of the big problems especially in High School is relating the concepts to real world applacations. Someone who has had a job in that field has a better view of how to apply these ideas. That said i dont think its completely nesscary to be a former professional to teach. It does help tremendously but the most important thing to me is that the teacher has a passion or interset in the subjects they teach.
I feel that becoming a professional teacher has it ups and downs. Teachers are often not given the credit or respect they need for the job they are doing, and this is definitely one of the disadvantages. However, teachers are the ones shaping children become the future (as corny as that sounds). I am sure there are many people out there that would saying teaching isn't the same as being professional in any other field. I would also agree with Jonathan when he says that it is important for teachers to have real world experience. I always remember thinking as an undergrad that the people I know who were edu majors were getting a MRS. degree. This is something that personally I can't stand, because these suture teachers have no way to relate to students with interests outside of the traditional setting. Real world experience is helpful to everyone, and teachers can really benefit from it.
I agree with Jonathan that it is important to have teachers with real world experience in the classroom, so that they can explain to students why and how certain subjects relate to real life. Having said that, I feel that some professionals don't have the training on how to deal with students, or the understanding of how to break down and transfer that knowledge to students.
I agree with Jonathan that it is important to have teachers with real world experience in the classroom, so that they can explain to students why and how certain subjects relate to real life. Having said that, I feel that some professionals don't have the training on how to deal with students, or the understanding of how to break down and transfer that knowledge to students.
I think it is advantageous for a business professional to become an educator. I worked in business for 23 years before coming back to school to get an education degree. I feel that business professionals have real life experinces that they can relate to their students whether they are teaching busniess courses or core curriculum courses.
As for disadvantages, the pay can be a negative factor for some business professioanals. But teaching is about more that money. And in special education, it is often times about helping those that need our help the most and many that will not get help from anywhere else.
I think the advantages of a professional entering education are the experiences that he/she brings. They can better help students make the connection of textbook and classroom applications to the “real world.” I also believe another advantage is maturity. I know, for me personally, that I am much different at my current age than I was at 22. In that respect, I feel I am a more responsible individual, and will be seen by my high school students more as a professional and less as their “buddy” having more than just 4 years in age separating us.
One disadvantage is the number of years that the professional has been away from the classroom. In some cases, they have been completely disconnected from public school system. Much will have changed, not only within the classroom, but the public school system as a whole.
I think the advantages of a professional entering education are the experiences that he/she brings. They can better help students make the connection of textbook and classroom applications to the “real world.” I also believe another advantage is maturity. I know, for me personally, that I am much different at my current age than I was at 22. In that respect, I feel I am a more responsible individual, and will be seen by my high school students more as a professional and less as their “buddy” having more than just 4 years in age separating us.
One disadvantage is the number of years that the professional has been away from the classroom. In some cases, they have been completely disconnected from public school system. Much will have changed, not only within the classroom, but the public school system as a whole.
I think it is a great idea for professionals to enter the classroom. For the professional, it can be a positive change of pace in their career life. They may be at a point where teaching may work better with their family schedule than a more demanding professional job. I had a college professor who had never held a job in the field that she taught and I sometimes found it frustrating that she had absolutely no experience to pull from. There is also a level of confidence that one might build while working in their field that they can pass along to their students.
I think the best thing is that the know what is necessary for that profession. Thats a great asset. I know that as a student I asked myself many times, "when will I ever use this?" As a professional you have the answer. Kids will appreciate that.
One disadvantage could be working with students. You've become used to interacting with adults and now you have to completely change your approach. This could be a difficult task. You also already know the info. It can sometimes be hard to explain something to others when its become second nature to you.
One advantage I see to professionals becoming educators is their perspective. Being able to see why something is important (or not) helps them relate the information to their students. Professionals also have "been around the block" and have more resources at their disposal simply for having lived and worked in the real world.
ReplyDeleteA disadvantage might be that they aren't completely indoctrinated into the world of education. They might have certain expectations that aren't possible in the world of public schools. Overall, I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages (Probably because I was a professional who entered the field of public education). :)
I think it is beneficial for a professional to enter into education. They have gained extremely valuable experience by going out and experiencing life through a seperate career than education. They can bring that experience back into the classroom. Who better to teach a subject than someone who has already practiced it out in the real world? You can bring a different view to the classroom. Some teachers may not really know what to expect in work situations because they haven't been there.
ReplyDeleteI don't really see any disadvantage to this idea. As Tim said, they might not be completely in an educational mindset, but some teachers aren't anyways. Every teacher has to start somewhere.
Even though people tend to change jobs within their profession much more often than in years past ( i.e. my parents worked at the same jobs until they retired), I think many people get bored with what they are doing and welcome a change. Going into education is definitely a change but also a challenge. Those people may work harder than the typical education major just to prove themselves, which should make an excellent teacher in the long run.
ReplyDeleteOf course, there might be disadvantages the first few years simply because the "newcomer" doesn't know the ropes, but I really can't think of any long term disadvantages for the students to have a teacher that was previously in a field other than education. (Although a disadvantage to the teacher might be a decrease in pay, but we could talk about that all day, right?)
I think having professionals as teachers is a wonderful idea. Professionals can help their students with real life situations. Professionals know what the work force is looking for and can help train their students into becoming more "hirable". Professionals are also more knowledgeable on the subjet that they are teaching.
ReplyDeleteTwo big disadvantages that professionals have over teachers as a chosen profession is that 1)Professionals tend to have trouble with classroom management and 2)They struggle with breaking the information down to the students level.
Well, I have followed a very similar track. So, I hope the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. One of the biggest disadvantages I can see is that it appears that education can be pretty bureaucratic. One example is just the bureaucracy involved in education oneself and getting licensed. Although I believe tough standards and are a good thing, the current process seems overly confusing and layered.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like bureaucracy controls funding (way too much money spent carelessly in some areas while other areas cannot get funded). These types of things don't occur in business (or they don't for long) because business has to manage itself effectively in order to survive. Not so, it appears, in education.
Another disadvantage is pay. Sonya is right - we're not supposed to talk about that. We might talk ourselves out of it all together!
One big advantage is the ability to bring real-world into the classroom instead of just research and theory.
I think it is important to have teachers with real world expierence. Teachers who have expierence with a profession in the field they teach can provide great insight. I believe one of the big problems especially in High School is relating the concepts to real world applacations. Someone who has had a job in that field has a better view of how to apply these ideas. That said i dont think its completely nesscary to be a former professional to teach. It does help tremendously but the most important thing to me is that the teacher has a passion or interset in the subjects they teach.
ReplyDeleteI feel that becoming a professional teacher has it ups and downs. Teachers are often not given the credit or respect they need for the job they are doing, and this is definitely one of the disadvantages. However, teachers are the ones shaping children become the future (as corny as that sounds). I am sure there are many people out there that would saying teaching isn't the same as being professional in any other field. I would also agree with Jonathan when he says that it is important for teachers to have real world experience. I always remember thinking as an undergrad that the people I know who were edu majors were getting a MRS. degree. This is something that personally I can't stand, because these suture teachers have no way to relate to students with interests outside of the traditional setting. Real world experience is helpful to everyone, and teachers can really benefit from it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jonathan that it is important to have teachers with real world experience in the classroom, so that they can explain to students why and how certain subjects relate to real life.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I feel that some professionals don't have the training on how to deal with students, or the understanding of how to break down and transfer that knowledge to students.
I agree with Jonathan that it is important to have teachers with real world experience in the classroom, so that they can explain to students why and how certain subjects relate to real life.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I feel that some professionals don't have the training on how to deal with students, or the understanding of how to break down and transfer that knowledge to students.
I think it is advantageous for a business professional to become an educator. I worked in business for 23 years before coming back to school to get an education degree. I feel that business professionals have real life experinces that they can relate to their students whether they are teaching busniess courses or core curriculum courses.
ReplyDeleteAs for disadvantages, the pay can be a negative factor for some business professioanals. But teaching is about more that money. And in special education, it is often times about helping those that need our help the most and many that will not get help from anywhere else.
I think the advantages of a professional entering education are the experiences that he/she brings. They can better help students make the connection of textbook and classroom applications to the “real world.” I also believe another advantage is maturity. I know, for me personally, that I am much different at my current age than I was at 22. In that respect, I feel I am a more responsible individual, and will be seen by my high school students more as a professional and less as their “buddy” having more than just 4 years in age separating us.
ReplyDeleteOne disadvantage is the number of years that the professional has been away from the classroom. In some cases, they have been completely disconnected from public school system. Much will have changed, not only within the classroom, but the public school system as a whole.
I think the advantages of a professional entering education are the experiences that he/she brings. They can better help students make the connection of textbook and classroom applications to the “real world.” I also believe another advantage is maturity. I know, for me personally, that I am much different at my current age than I was at 22. In that respect, I feel I am a more responsible individual, and will be seen by my high school students more as a professional and less as their “buddy” having more than just 4 years in age separating us.
ReplyDeleteOne disadvantage is the number of years that the professional has been away from the classroom. In some cases, they have been completely disconnected from public school system. Much will have changed, not only within the classroom, but the public school system as a whole.
I think it is a great idea for professionals to enter the classroom. For the professional, it can be a positive change of pace in their career life. They may be at a point where teaching may work better with their family schedule than a more demanding professional job. I had a college professor who had never held a job in the field that she taught and I sometimes found it frustrating that she had absolutely no experience to pull from. There is also a level of confidence that one might build while working in their field that they can pass along to their students.
ReplyDeleteI think the best thing is that the know what is necessary for that profession. Thats a great asset. I know that as a student I asked myself many times, "when will I ever use this?" As a professional you have the answer. Kids will appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteOne disadvantage could be working with students. You've become used to interacting with adults and now you have to completely change your approach. This could be a difficult task. You also already know the info. It can sometimes be hard to explain something to others when its become second nature to you.