Career Paths at VHS: Teaching
Introduction
From freshman to senior year, the idea of college and your journey after high school is always in your mind. However, some people tackle this decision easier than others, which can be due to many factors, one of the largest being that you’re unprepared. Knowing what resources and materials you can access can help you prepare to make important decisions. One significant career to consider is the path of a teacher or educator.
Educators and Teachers
As tedious as teaching can seem from a student's perspective, it’s essential to appreciate educators' role in our society. The bottom line is that everyone needs teachers. But how can you prepare in high school?
There are programs on campus that explicitly support an educator career, followed by correlating clubs and attitudes that are essential for pursuing this path. Fortunately, we got an insight into the CCR pathway itself and a look into some of Valencia’s teachers’ journeys.
CTE Education Foundation Pathway Insight
Officially, the William S. Hart Union High School District offers a Career & College Readiness pathway: CTE Education Foundations I A/B and CTE Education Foundations II A/B, taught by Ms. Shanna Mann. According to our Journalism insider, Jaden Nakamura, the course delves into the history of education and the practical skills needed for the career through interactive projects such as working with kids within the Santa Clarita community. She claimed that the 2-course pathway helps prepare students “with life experience, developed teaching skills, and a strong idea of what paths are available for college and beyond in the field of education.”
Tips & Teacher Insight
1. Know what you’re committing. Teaching is a harder job than students may think.
Unlike common student assumptions, teachers don’t end their work day once the bell rings or they get home. When considering the profession, you should consider the work you’re willing to put into your work.
Q. Final Thoughts?
A. Mrs. Fischer (AP/General Chemistry Teacher): “We [teachers] don’t end the day at 2:35. We end the day and go home and we’re still working. I am grading papers, creating lesson plans…it’s a lot more work than people think.”
2. High school is the time to try things.
High school is the best and easiest time to search for what interests you, as early as possible. Starting freshman year, it is important to find your passion, which can further tie into the consideration of a teaching career.
Q. Why are you a teacher?
A. Mrs. Fischer (AP/General Chemistry): “I love science…I have fun with it…I love the thought of getting other people to love it as well.”
A. Mrs. Rojas (Culinary): “I love learning. And baking. And being in the classroom with kids.”
3. Follow your passion.
Once you find and stay dedicated to your passion and values, it makes it easier to teach, a sentiment shared by many teachers. Through dedication and dedication, teaching becomes a joy rather than a job.
Q. Why did you become a teacher? How rewarding is it?
A. Mrs. Fischer (AP/General Chemistry): “Make sure you have…a passion for the subject you’re going to teach because it makes the job a lot easier.”
A. Mr. Cuny (English): “I became a teacher to try to make a difference in the world and try to help society and help kids… When I go around town I run into former students…It makes me feel so connected to the community.”
A. Mr. Monteleone (Sports Medicine): “I am very fortunate to be in a program like [MSA] where students want to be here to learn the stuff that we do.”
4. Consider tutoring whether independently or through a club.
One large aspect of teaching is interacting with students and fellow peers. Alternative to the CTE Education Foundation course is tutoring, either during high school or college. This helps students gain some level of experience working and teaching younger students.
Q. How did you prepare yourself in high school to pursue a teaching career? Did you prepare at all?
A. Mrs. Rojas (Culinary): “[Find] classes and teachers to visit…Teaching can be really hard…[just] find your passion. If you love what you do, you’re happy to go to work everyday, or at least most days.”
A. Brown (AP US History/Government): “In college, they had some teaching classes in UCSD. There was a…college prep program where college kids would tutor…during the school day.”
A. Mrs. Fischer (AP/General Chemistry): “During summers I worked with little kids…the preschool programs…tutoring during college.”
A. Mr. Montelone (Sports Medicine): “No…I coached right after high school…my preparation was coaching which made me a better teacher.”
A. Mrs. Rojas (Culinary): “Life is an evolution…My school didn’t have a culinary program [but]…I would have loved it.”
5. Possible colleges to consider.
A large teacher-supported and more affordable option for teaching credentials is California State University of Northridge (CSUN).
Q. What schools did you go to for your credentials?
A. Brown (AP US History/Government): “I went to UC San Diego and got my credentials from National…I majored in history.”
A. Mrs. Fischer (AP/General Chemistry): “I went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo , and got my degree from there...I got my masters from GCU…My teaching credentials are from CSUN…I did look at Pepperdine.”
A. Mr. Montelone (Sports Medicine): “Cal State Northridge…with my bachelor's degree and credentials.”
A. Mr. Cuny (English): “I had to sign up for something immediately so I went to the University of Phoenix, which was horrible... I should have gone to CSUN…“In California, it’s practically a free ride if you go into teaching. There are scholarships from the state because we have a teacher shortage... They are offering free tuition and free grant money to pay for books and living spaces…They’re getting you right into jobs right away.”
A. Mrs. Rojas (Culinary): “I went to Cal State Long Beach. Business Finance degree. I originally hoped to own a restaurant…“I got my master’s degree in Pennsylvania when I decided to be an elementary school teacher…When I came here I went to UCLA to get my California teaching credential.”
6. Acknowledge the positives of becoming a teacher.
Although teaching can seem to be an overwhelming and stressful career to pursue, it can be worth the memories and connections made with students.
Q. What are some memorable moments as a teacher?
A. Brown (AP US History/Government): “I love it…I love talking with [students]…talking about college…[like] someone who was in my class coming back…the relationships you make.”
A. Mrs. Fischer (AP/General Chemistry): “When students have an aha! moment [and] get a concept they didn’t get.”
A. Mr. Montelone (Sports Medicine): “Seeing the success..of students having the lightbulb moment when students get what we’re doing…it happens year after year.”
A. Mr. Cuny (English): “This career is so impactful and has the opportunity to be meaningful…I love your generation, I see your passion and you care. Consider teaching because teaching is on the front lines in the fight for social justice, equality, prosperity… And that all depends on a strong public education system…So if you want to make a difference in the world, consider teaching.”
A. Mrs. Rojas (Culinary): “These moments happen all the time...Everyone was cooking, tasting, and enjoying.”
Please appreciate your teachers for all their hard work!
Commenti