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Job Title: 4th Grade Teacher
Type of Company: I work for a school district in eastern North Carolina.
Education: AA, Brevard College •• BA, University of North Carolina at Asheville •• Teaching Certificate, Mars Hill College •• I am currently working to get my Master's in Elementary Reading and Mathematics.
Previous Experience: I worked as a fifth grade teacher's assistant, worked in an after school setting, taught a year of pre-school, worked as a second grade teacher's assistant for 2 years while returning to get my teaching certificate, was the director of children's ministry at a church in Asheville, and was a director of an after school program.
Job Tasks: I am a fourth grade teacher. I have 20 students and teach all subjects: reading, spelling, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. It is my job to teach the subjects, but to also wear many other hats. I am a mother figure to many of my students, as well as being a nurse, a counselor, a facilitator, a friend, and a companion. Sometimes, I am the only positive aspect in some of my students' lives. I teach in a Title One school, which means that my school is partially funded by the Federal government based on the number of students we have that receive free and reduced lunch. It is also my job to teach the students how to take tests, to feel confident, to use correct grammar, and to use their manners. It's a tough job, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. A typical day begins by greeting my students who straggle in from the time the school bells rings 'til the time the tardy bell rings. After I take up lunch money and check attendance, my students immediately go to specials and I get my planning period. Upon their return, we spend the next two hours in literacy block where I teach reading, writing, grammar, and spelling. Next we go to lunch, then come back and work on mathematical concepts for one and a half hours. When math is over, we have recess for half and hour. After recess, I teach either science or social studies. I teach one four and a half weeks, then I switch to the other one. It's a great system. Last, the students pack up and go home!
Best and Worst Parts of the Job: The best part of my work is that every day is a new day. There are no dull moments. I can never use the same lesson plans from year to year because the students change every year. I write plans according to the students I have at the time.
The worst part of the job is that there is too much paper work.
Job Tips:
1.) Volunteer in classrooms (all levels) as much as you possibly can. Volunteer more than your school requires you to.
2.) Get ideas from teachers. Create a notebook of ideas that work and don't work.
3.) Ask questions constantly. There are no dumb questions ever. Good teachers will volunteer to help you and encourage you along your path. Good teachers will also encourage you to help yourself to any resources they may have.
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