Mar 11 2009
Reasons for Choosing a Grade Level to Teach
The certification and education path is quite different for elementary and secondary levels of teaching within the K-12 arena. Many college students are certain in their choice between elementary or secondary education as a major quite early on in their college career. Sure, there are those that will claim they would be just as comfortable teaching 1st grade as they would teaching 10th grade. However, it is more typically that individuals are clear on which side of that dividing line they sit.
As a future elementary school teacher, I find it intriguing to listen to reasons why teachers choose between elementary and secondary levels for their teaching path. Even within those two choices, veteran teachers express their favorite grades that have enjoyed teaching during their career. In addition to the thoughts on K-12 teaching choices, I also know individuals that want nothing to do with K-12 and are only interested in being an instructor or professor in higher education.
Referring back to my curiosity about the reasons behind why people chose a grade, I wonder if it is because of the subject area being either focused as in secondary or widespread and integrated across all subjects as in elementary? I wonder if teachers chose a secondary education career to allow focus on one subject area or is it the age of the students? High school age students are going through many hormonal and social changes that can be evident in the classroom . This is possibly one of the reasons people avoid secondary classrooms.
While some teachers shy away from secondary teaching, I also have pondered about the people that have the desire to take on the task of teaching kindergartners? My vision of teaching certainly does not revolve around reciting the alphabet and putting square shapes into vacant spots in a block of wood. However, many teachers have the desire the “teach the little ones”.
I am not claiming anyone’s choice is a good one or a bad one. After all, we need educators to pass on information about complex physics and chemistry formulas at the secondary level as well as show a 5 year old how to spell the word cat. I am just curious as to how and why individuals make this choice, just as I am curious as to why someone chooses to be a firefighter or an accountant, which are also both important jobs.
I understand that all teachers have a place in the educational arena. All teachers have to go through a thorough education themselves to achieve a state accepted certification. All teachers should have compassion, patience, creativity, and flexibility. All teachers contribute to making a difference in a child’s life and an impact on his or her future. Therefore, all teachers, no matter what grade they choose to teach, deserve to be respected and admired. But, it still does not answer my question, what reasons do teachers have for picking a grade level to teach?
Chris. That is the same grade I want to teach! For the same reasons. Personality does have a lot to do with it. I listen to K and 1st grade teachers and I guess I don’t have it in me to talk so “sweet” if you understand. Plus, the 4th and 5th graders will get my sarcasm! LOL
I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher ever since I was in kindergarten. My first teaching position was kindergarten and I hated it. I have since taught several years each of 2nd and 3rd grade. I really like both of them. I don’t think I would like any grade higher or lower than that, though I know I *could* teach any grade.
For me, it’s partly the personalities/ developmental levels of the students. It’s also partly the material that you teach. I taught 4th grade for 3 weeks before being switched to 3rd. It is a lot more difficult than 3rd, and that’s stressful. I did like the age of the students, though.
Scoopcath,
Thanks for your comment. I think in many ways it is trial and error. I may say I want to teach 4th and once I do may not like it. Some like the variety and prefer to change grade levels. There are the pros and cons of each I believe.
I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in the first grade. I idolized my teacher, who I ended up having for 2nd and 3rd grade as well. I wanted to be just like her. And, in many ways, my teaching style was a lot like hers. In eight years of teaching I taught first, second and fifth.
I loved working with the first and second graders because they still had a love/enjoyment of school and learning. My personality was able to shine when working with them.
Fifth grade — eh, the only thing I liked about working with 5th graders was that I could assign more challenging work. Otherwise, I really did not enjoy that year.
I think teachers choose their grade level mostly based on their own personality. It takes a certain type of person to be able to handle teenagers effectively, and another totally different type of personality to handle kindergartners.
My mom was also a teacher for a number of years. She mostly taught middle school, but did work with the younger grades as well. Her personality was much more suited for the middle grades - she would get so frustrated with the little ones clinging to her or asking her to tie their shoes. Whereas that kind of stuff didn’t phase me one bit.