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English Teacher

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Explore Being an English Teacher with Virginia Hendler

englishteacher-stackofbookscz:Briefly describe your job.

I have taught in many different positions, from preschool through middle school. Most recently, I have taught middle school English and Social Studies. I also coached a Speech team which went to four tournaments throughout the year, based on National Forensic League events.

cz: How long have you been working in this field?

I started teaching in 1971, so almost 30 years - although I took time off to have children and to go back to school for my masters degree.

cz: When and how did you decide to choose this career?

I graduated from college with an English degree when jobs were tight (not quite as bad as right now). I joined my husband in Galveston, Texas, where there were even fewer opportunities. I did not have my certification to teach, so I could only look at private schools. My first job paid less than $4,000 per year (terrible even by !970 standards! ). But the minute I was in a classroom, I was happy. I loved my students, the parents, the small school, and the people I taught with. I never looked for a job outside teaching after my first experience.

cz: What education and training did you receive before entering your field?

I had an English degree from Wellesley College. I slowly took education courses while I taught to become certified. Because I was working in an accredited school, I did not have to spend time getting experience as a “student teacher”. I started teaching with no background or training. Later I earned a masters degree in Ancient and Medieval Studies, just for fun. But it raised my pay scale and has been surprisingly useful as a language and social studies teacher. My middle schoolers enjoy my often esoteric knowledge.

cz: What was your first job in the field?

I began with no training in a small private school. The pay was terrible, but I loved my job. I still do although the pay is still terrible! The sense of self-worth because of what I do is the reason I love teaching, in spite of frustrations.

cz: Describe a typical day on the job?

One great thing about teaching is that no day is ever "typical." I like to arrive early to prepare for my day at about 7:30. Sometimes I have parent meetings, tutor students, or plan the day with my team of teachers. In middle school, I see different classes in 45 minute periods. Each class is different, even with the same basic lesson plan. I usually have two 45-minute planning periods, but also have "duties" such as carpool, recess, or lunch supervision. Several days a week I stay after school to meet with Speech team until 4:30. Otherwise I leave school before 4:00.

cz: What do you like most about what you do?

I love my students. I love that moment when a child says, "I get it! I get it!!" I enjoy having students return after they graduate and tell me that they remember what I taught. I feel that many teachers are really frustrated actors. I can close the door of my room and perform for my captive audience. I have students yell out, "The will, the will, read us the will" when I am reading Mark Antony's speech from Shakespeare's play. They beg me to read aloud to them because I do accents and silly voices. I have my "stupid grammar tricks" that make them laugh but, at the same time, help them to remember important lessons. I love the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the year when I see how my students have grown.

cz: What do you like least about your job?

I am frustrated by the low esteem in which my profession is held. Parent sends their children into school 180 days a year. They often like individual teachers but they seem to have little respect for the profession in general. I am often asked why I don't teach at the college level with my masters degree, as if teaching middle schoolers (whom I dearly love) is less important and certainly less prestigious.

cz: What has been the most rewarding experience so far in your career?

I feel that my job is important and that I am benefiting our future in a very tangible way. My students learn English, but I also model a love of learning, respect for others, and the importance of doing work well. When a student tells me that NOW they understand a concept that they have struggled with, I feel that I have done my job.

cz: What is the biggest challenge for you in this job?

A teacher needs vast stores of patience and a good sense of the ridiculous. Middle schoolers today are all budding "lawyers" who want to argue about everything. It is important to remember how many challenges our kids are faced with in this complex world, even at their age. I have strict standards for behavior and performance in my classroom, but it is important to remember to be flexible too.

cz: What are the most important personal and professional skills necessary to succeed in your field?

You can begin teaching with minimum credentials but it is important to continue your education, especially if you want to move into administrative positions. There are good programs that encourage teachers to further their education. On a personal level, you need to find the age group where you are most comfortable. You need patience, a sense of humor, good organizational skills, interpersonal skills to deal with parents, other teachers, and administration.

cz: What could someone do to learn more about this field right now?

I would encourage anyone who is interested in teaching to volunteer at a school as much as possible with different age groups and subjects. Find out if you really enjoy being with groups of children in a learning environment. Talk to former teachers that you respect and tell them of your interest. They will have specific advice about you, the skills they see in you, opportunities in the area where you live.

cz: What advice you would offer to students making a career choice or on work life itself?

Find something that you really enjoy doing. Making lots of money in a prestigious career might sound like the most important thing, but if you are unhappy and unfulfilled by what you do, you have wasted your potential. Be willing to try many different hats while you are young and have fewer responsibilities. Don't let salary be the only way you decide on a career. Sometimes those beginning positions allow you to gain important skills, learn new perspectives, and advance in ways you had not imagined.

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