Still in College; what grade to teach!!!

[kittenicole]

I am still in college and I was trying to decide what grade to teach. Since I started college I have wanted to teach Kindergarten, but have had second thoughts and thought about teaching 1st or 2nd grade. Any advice on which grade seems more rewarding? I like working with the little kids, but I know that their attention spans may be hard to handle; should I steer away from elementary grades completely? HELP!!

 

[K/1 Teacher]

job market

I don't know how the job market is where you live, but you may need to be flexible with your first job. See what you get offered. Apply for everything that you're qualified to teach and see where that takes you. It's not good to limit yourself too much. After a year or two in the district, you should be able to switch to another grade if you don't like the one that you start with.

 

[RKM]

Explore all grades

My best advice for you is to explore all grades. Do as many of your pre-teaching experiences in the grades that you don't think you are interested in. Then when it is time for student teaching, try to get the grade you are very interested in teaching in. You will spend the most time during student teaching in a classroom and you want it to be enjoyable. I did my student teaching in a K/1 classroom and I currently teach Kindergarten. I did other pre-teaching experiences in 2nd, 3rd, & 5th grades. The little ones are still my favorite! You probably won't get a choice when you do get hired though. I had no choice, I just got lucky that the only position open at my school was a Kindergarten position.
Good luck!
RKM -|--

 

[Hylin]

I definitely think it's important to explore all your options. My student teaching was split between kindergarten and 3rd. I was absolutely positive that I wanted to teach at the primary leve. I was lucky enough to get offered a job in 1st grade, but after a few months of this, I despirately miss the maturity of 3rd graders. I've got far too many cryers and tantrums and ones that need shoes tied. It's trying my patients. I was spoiled with an awesome kindergarten clas swhen I student taught. My kids this year have made me strongly reconsider what level I want to be teaching at.

 

[Kay]

take best offer

Take the job at the best school, with the most supportive administrator that you get offered.

 

[PattiMSKteacher]

jobs

Of if your state is an economic crunch, take the first job you're offered, and hope you learn enough to make you marketable the next year! A person with one year of experience looks SO MUCH better than a person with none, and also you could switch grades at the end of the 1st year!

I gradauted with a large class and know many people that did not get any teaching jobs.

 

[VA teacher]

teaching grade

When I started college I wanted K. I did a lot of observation in K and decided that it wasn't for me. When I did my student teaching I did 1st and 6th. I really liked 1st. Last year I was hired two days before school started to teach K. I didn't want K but I took it and hated it all year. I returned this year and stayed in K and now I love it. Some days are great and some days I want to scream. I think it must be getting ready to snow because the kids have been wild!!!! Just like any other job I have had some days are better than others. I did observation in every grade PK-6 and I would recommend that you do the same. Don't just spend your time in K because you think that is where you want to be. You might not have a choice if you want a job. Merry Christmas!

 

[kittenicole]

Thanks

Thanks for all the feedback. You all have been a great help!! I'm not sure if KY has an economic crunch or not, but I really hope that when I graduate I can find a job. But I will make sure that I don't spend too much time observing in one grade, at my university we get certification for P-5, so I will keep my options open. Thanks!! If there is anymore feedback I am open to it

 

[Kay]

when I was in Ky

I graduated from a university in Kentucky. Although, I moved out of state to teach. When I was there (it has been over ten years), the job market in Kentucky was tight. So tight that you had to be a certified teacher to substitute. I had many people that I graduated with that had to sub for several years.

 

[kittenicole]

Where at...

Where at in KY were you looking..or was it everywhere. It is weird because they say there is a teacher shortage; yet when teachers try to find a job they can't. It doesn't make any sense. I really hope that I can find a job here...with a scholarship I am trying to get, if I get it, I have to teach in KY for as many years as semesters that it pays for school. So, lets hope when I graduate I can find a job. Any suggestions to try to make it easier?

 

[RKM]

Louisville, KY

-|--- I teach in Lou., KY. What part of Kentucky are you in? -|---

 

[kittenicole]

Near Lexington

I live about 45 min. from Lexington, but I am going to college in Richmond at EKU.

 

[RKM]

Eku

I went to EKU for two years and then I transferred back home to Louisville and attended Indiana University Southeast (20 minute drive from Lou.) to finish my program. EKU is a great school. Are you doing your pre-teaching at Model?
RKM -|--

 

[kittenicole1]

Eku

Yeah!! I am doing my pre-teaching there. It is a great school, I have only had a few minor problems with the University itself; them charging money to my account that I did not sign up for, etc...other than that it is a good place.

 

[QueenP]

5th is Cool

I teach 5th and LOVE it. This is my 22nd year.