Your program probably has built in classes as observation for you to observe and practice teaching while in your program to help you make decisions. My husband and I are both in education. My husband started as an elementary teacher – grade 4 and also taught grades 3 and 5. The kids loved him. (His degree was in communications) After 13 years as a teacher he moved into an administration position in an elem school. (worked on a masters degree in leadership) There are a few good men in elem schools and more in secondary ed. They all seem to be good golf buddies to and it is great that they have a lot of summer and holiday time off to enjoy their hobbies!! He loves it and the teachers love him too for his calming and booming voice.

I received a degree in elem ed and minored in math – so in my state I was given 2 teaching certificates. One – elem ed grades 1-6 and one in math grades 5 – 9. So I taught math in a high school 2 years and elem ed for 9 years – grade 4 and 5 and currently I am in a middle school ( were I have been for about 15 years). You will find that in edcuation it is easy to move around in different grade levels if you have more to offer. I am now going into my 26th year as a teacher.

Consider working on a minor to add middle school certification. In some states, if you get 1-6 grade certification, grade 6 is middle school and you can teach any subject 6th grade. Check the rules in your state and district.

Also, you do not have to teach with a teaching degree! There are many support jobs as well. For example, higher paying jobs selling curriculum to districts working with publishing companies, working in the district offices in the public school systems to organize testing, travel, curriculum, new teachers mentoring programs (they would like some experience first), union issues, parenting classes, adult education, etc depending on the size of the district you work for and what they offer.

You have experience with your age so there are some benefits with that. You are more sure of yourself than a 22 year old beginning teacher is! (aren’t you?) =-)

It is true that beginning teacher pay is not the best. Some districts push u up on the pay scale if you have military years of experience. My district gives you up to 4 years credit for military service. BUT you will always be surrounded by good people who love helping others – sweet and caring – and who enjoy the rewards of making the community a better place to live!

As a male going into the elementary setting, you’ll have a higher likelihood of getting a job because they want male teachers. Don’t do secondary just for the “ease” of getting a job. If you like working with younger kids, then get the elementary degree. Either way breaking into the field will be tough and the pay’s going to suck for awhile. You at least want to be working with students that you like working with age-wise. I would call a few schools in your area and ask to observe a few classes. Explain that you are an education student at whatever college you are attending and need to do observation hours at schools. I’d try some in elementary, middle, and high school–different ages at each school so you know what you like. Welcome to the field!

I am a Secondary (High School) teacher and my wife is a Primary teacher who also teaches at the high school. While I feel completely at home in the high school environment, she finds it difficult and much prefers to teach primary. Make a decision based on your own preference. It’s your career and you will be spending a lot of time there, so you need to be where you feel at home. If you don’t, you could end up feeling frustrated and stuck later. If you’re really not sure, then you need to find out. Practicum is one way, or you could volunteer with some children’s and youth programs to see which age group works best for you. Sometimes you can get one idea stuck in your head and when you finally try it, you find that it’s not as you expected. Or, something you thought you wouldn’t like could turn out to be great. My wife thought that she wouldn’t like teaching Kindergarten, but when she tried it, she really enjoyed it. If you choose what you personally want, you’ll love your job. Teaching is a great career.

I have taught both HS (guidance/math) and elementary (special education). I am currently in my 10th year; I spent five at the HS and am beginning my 5th in elementary. This is the level I wish I’d tried in the beginning because these imps I can work with and I love them dearly. HS kids can push buttons you didn’t know you had, and I found them personally so filled with themselves that I couldn’t stand to go to work. I say be flexible and definitely go and visit or volunteer at every level before you make a decision. It will be whatever you make it. Men in elementary school are a good mix because of all the reasons mentioned above. I admire you for switching careers — money isn’t everything and the rewards of education and teaching would get my vote every time. Good luck!

I am an elementary teacher. Are you kidding on this question? ABSOLUTELY do you need to be a part of the primary/elementary level. Men are hired quicker then women at that level because of the ratio of women to men is about 20:1. Students at the elementary level will look towards you as a father figure as well. Those students who don’t have active fathers in their lives will need you as a male role model to show them what is like to be cared for and supported…school or home.

The majority of ALL teachers are female. Your answer depends on the kinds of challenges you want in your day. True, fewer men are in elementary schools. If you go that route, you will get to be a positive role model for little kids who may not have a dad at home. But the things you get to teach are also very basic skills. Your challenges will not be very academic, but your little students will need a lot of TLC, encouragement, nurture, patience, and direction. You will probably have to do more physical work, such as playground duty or kinesthetic learning actiivities in your classroom.

If you opt for older students, you may have a few more male colleagues. But you can still be that dad figure for plenty of kids. The things you will get to teach will be more abstract and challenging. You can pick your special interest for a subject area, and not have to generalize in everything. You will need to really know your subject. Kids have no sympathy for a teacher whom they perceive as ignorant, and by high school, kids know how to challenge your knowledge.

I am a 20-years on the job teacher. I spent the first 12 years in middle school, but I have been much happier teaching high school. I like to explore into my subject area more deeply than I could with middle school kids. I feel I am psychologically better able to deal with the challenges of older students.

For example, kids who cry to the teacher because someone is breathing their air would make me want to rip out my hair. But kids squared away in a gang vs gang showdown do not intimidate me at all. I will stand right between rival gang members and diffuse a situation before it starts–all 5 feet 2 inches of me. When I know tthe students respect me MORE than they are mad at each other, I know I can let both sides save face. I belong in high school.

ok is for kindergarden a grade that comes top in the previous little ones start up ordinary and (-12) is 6 yrs ordinary,2 yrs secondary, which right here interior the US call seventh & 8th grade (Junior extreme)and four yrs extreme college. And that provides as much as twelve yrs of our scholars ordinary training

you won’t have a problem getting a job offer because the principals are always looking for good male role models for the younger students.

also research shows that one way to stay young is to have young friends and elem. school would be full of young people to help you stay young