A few days ago
Rachel L

Best Grade Level for Me?

I am trying to decide which grade level to get certified in and I am having a hard time. I love kids but would much rather teach 4th grade and above. But I am also passionate about English and Literature and would be able to focus on that if I taught in the high school range. But high school may be too old for my liking. What do you think?

Top 5 Answers
A few days ago
Midwest

Favorite Answer

I’m from Canada.. but I was certified to teach grades K – to 6. Then I took an upgrading course (only 3 months, adn can be done right away during the summer) to teach up to grade 10 in a specific subject. I think it is much easier to do it smaller grades up, than the opposite way. This way you can move around, and teach both.

The high school level you will have more opportunity for discussion, yet there may be some behavioural problems.

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A few days ago
TeacherLady
In our area, in elementary school, principals like you to have certification K-6 because they need to be able to move people around. We’ve had many people certified K-3 who are not getting jobs because they are limited as to what they can teach.

Get all of the certifications you can. That way, if you don’t like one grade level you can be ready to switch, and you’ll be easier to hire since you can do so much. Some states allow you to just take a test and add on to your certification, while some make you take classwork. Check with your state DOE for their requirements.

There is a tremendous difference in high school and 4th grade. Maybe you should observe both classes for a few weeks to see if that gives you a better idea of what you would like. Make sure to visit more than one class in each grade level so you can see different people’s styles.

Good luck!

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A few days ago
Anonymous
I teach high school English. You’ll be amazed at how much fun teenagers can be if you treat them as you would kids in elementary, and I don’t mean intellectual level. I mean as far as activities go. I still give my students stickers for participation, and am amazed at how excited they get when they get one! They even compete with each other for them! Oh, and everything is more fun with construction paper and markers! 🙂 I really enjoy my job…good luck.
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A few days ago
heather m
what about middle school like 7th grade. You would still be able to focus on lit but the kids would be younger
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A few days ago
Anonymous
I would get your certification in Secondary (typically 6th or 7th grade and up) English. It sounds like you would work well with middle school students.
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