my story

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my story
By lorla

I, too, am looking forward to this board. I started teaching last year, 6th grade, at almost 44. I have a science degree from a LOOONG time ago and have a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate (masters program was too
much money and time). When my children started school I started to volunteer and after 6 years realized that I wanted to do more, so I started to sub, loved it and enrolled in a very family friendly certificate program intended for post Bachelors students (so we were all "old", some younger than me and some older). It took 5 semesters because I went part time, kept on subbing (an invaluable

experience)and I student taught the 6th. My kids were in elementary and middle school then and it was rough working more than full time! I continued to sub the rest of the year and was hired in mid-Sept. Our district is one where new hires are often frozen right at the start of the school year while class sizes are being adjusted.

Anyway, I had a great year, several of the other teachers had done the same, starting to teach in their 30's -40's, so I had a lot of support. Being a parent, an older teacher, and having years of sub experience made all the difference. I think some parents didn't even know this was my first year. I could discuss their children's problems with school from an understanding viewpoint, having been there myself or seen it with friend's children. I also knew the pressures families are under for time, even though many of my students lives were different than my children (2 biological parents, typical middle class existence)and I am mature enough to not be starry eyed idealistic about kids. Lastly, I really don't need any more 12 year old friends and I have the wisdom to be able to challenge them to rise to the occasion. I also have "the look" down pat, it's the same one I give my kids when they act up.

As an older teacher I have a huge knowledge base, too, I know a lot of "stuff" to connect with the curriculum and best of all, I have a huge network of teacher friends, those I subbed for, many of whom taught my kids. I'm mature enough to ask for help and not be ashamed about that, in fact my principal commented on that because ALL first year teachers need help (actually all teachers should always seek other's opinions about tough issues, they need that perspective). She thought it really showed my professionalism. As a parent, I know what I want from my child's teacher so I do my best to give that to my students and their parents. I also know how I want to be spoken to when I have "issues" with the teacher, or school, etc. and pride myself on how I worked with parents to benefit their students. I'm looking forward to a great career, I really enjoyed last year (despite the long hours trying to be a mom and work). I have 2 friends about my age, one is about to student teach, the other just got hired! This board is great, hope my post was of use to people thinking of going into teaching as an older teacher.