Do you think it takes a certain type of person to teach middle school, or high school???
I really want to teach, and I'm drawn to middle school over elementary honestly.

I'm eyeballing a degree in something that interests me greatly, and I can apply it towards teaching Social Sciences. I'm doing research on states we will possibly live in after our time overseas, but I def know that in FL I can.

Ok, not sure what I'm looking for here, lil wisdom I suppose? :D

Speaking as someone recently there, it takes a STRONG person to put up with a group of people that age. It's a confusing time.

I'm not a teacher, but YES!

My son is entering 7th grade next year and HOLY cow.....god bless his teachers/coaches.....I don't know if I could put up with kids that I didn't give birth to in that age range!

You have to have a STRONG ability to deal with everything.

Kids are going through awkward times, and they are extremely experimental when it comes to "sex" and trying to be "cool". So, some kids can be extremely superficial and make others feel bad.

There's a lot of bullying at that age too. All I can say is good look! :D I would look into doing possibly a minor in psychology, just so you have the background to deal with those issues in case one of your kids comes to you :D

Speaking as someone recently there, it takes a STRONG person to put up with a group of people that age. It's a confusing time.

:agree

You have to have a STRONG ability to deal with everything.

Kids are going through awkward times, and they are extremely experimental when it comes to "sex" and trying to be "cool". So, some kids can be extremely superficial and make others feel bad.

There's a lot of bullying at that age too. All I can say is good look! :D I would look into doing possibly a minor in psychology, just so you have the background to deal with those issues in case one of your kids comes to you :D

I agree with the pysch minor. It's just...I couldn't tell you if I was coming or going during that time. It's so hectic and scary.

Do you think it takes a certain type of person to teach middle school, or high school???
I really want to teach, and I'm drawn to middle school over elementary honestly.

I'm eyeballing a degree in something that interests me greatly, and I can apply it towards teaching Social Sciences. I'm doing research on states we will possibly live in after our time overseas, but I def know that in FL I can.

Ok, not sure what I'm looking for here, lil wisdom I suppose? :D

I love my middle schoolers!!!!

I have an interesting setup- I have students from 6th grade, and some who are almost 17 and still not out of the 7th grade. It makes for some fun days.....

They're still young enough that they'll ask questions, and sometimes they even WANT to know the answers. But my favorite part is the variety in physical and emotional maturity levels, and watching the kids grow in both areas.

I have one 7th grader who will be back with me for the first few months of 8th grade, before she goes back to her comprehensive school (we're alt ed)..... I've had the privilege of watching her go from a combative, angry, violent kid who was quick to fight anyone (and ev eryone), to a truly sweet young woman. I really miss her right now; before school ended I asked her "So, what am I going to do this summer without you?" That's one I'm definitely going to look for ont he first day of school.

I love my middle schoolers..... and yeah, I do think it takes a certain mentality to deal with them day in and day out. Mostly, I think it's the ability to not take myself too seriously. :D

Thanks all.
I will be doing some thinking and praying about this. In the fall I start subbing, so that will help me with my decision. I really feel drawn to this, so we shall see!

patience patience patience....and the ability to let go...

patience patience patience....and the ability to let go...

:yes :yes :yes

I teach 8th grade and they can be a tough group. One word: HORMONES!!!! :lol

I think it does take a certain type of person to teach kids that age. I have always taught elementary school age kids until last year, and I thought I would hate it, but I ended up LOVING it. I don't want to teach anything but middle school now. I think high school is a whole different story.

You have to find a balance with kids that age between being firm and their teacher, and being there to help relate to their problems. Most days I feel like a teacher AND guidance counselor.

I teach 8th grade Language Arts. You have to have a thick skin--I have developed mine, my first year they really got to me. I do love them though.

Please PM me if I can help you with your decision. :)

I teach 8th grade Language Arts. You have to have a thick skin--I have developed mine, my first year they really got to me. I do love them though.

Please PM me if I can help you with your decision. :)

yup definitely a thick thick skin

I def think it takes a certain kind of person. But elizabeth I think you'd do great! Your patient and fair and you stick up for yourself but at the same time humble yourself. I think you'd do great!

I def think it takes a certain kind of person. But elizabeth I think you'd do great! Your patient and fair and you stick up for yourself but at the same time humble yourself. I think you'd do great!

Awww thank you!

I feel like I might have finally decided the exact path I want to pursue, feels SOOO strange!

Thanks for all of your input!

Sooooo..... what are you thinking of teaching?

As a military family, you'll probably be moving around a lot. Something like 44 states have reciprocity regarding licensure, but you will still need to check on that.

Also- here in VA, a teacher who is certified for high school history/social studies can also teach middle school, but one who is certified for middle school can't teach high school. It pretty much works the same for all subjects. So, I recommend you don't limit yourself to middle school, if you think you might want to take a high school position later on.

Also- depending on the state and the subject, you can get all kinds of endorsements. My area is vocational, so I've got a K-12 endorsement and can go back and forth from middle to high school. My husband has a social studnes endorsement for middle and high school, and a science endorsement for middle school. Some schools will advetise for a K-8 teacher, some for a 6-12 teacher..... yeah.

If you are a science, math or Special Ed teacher, you are employable pretty much everywhere, especially if you can do high school level science or math. English and social studies, not so much. In this district, people grow old and die in Social Studies positions, so they don't open up very often. It seems that heavy industry and research organizations aren't actively courting history teachers...... :D

it can be very rewarding. and i can tell you, as someone who has taught from pre-k all the way to 12th grade, the SCHOOL matters more than the age group. the special thing to remember with middle schoolers is that there are MORE things going on in their life than your class, or even school itself. their minds are often on other things and you have to remember that so as not to take it personally.

i say go for it! don't let the staple of the "hormonal teenager" deter you. you'll definitely have to deal with the hormones, but that's not always a terrible thing.

also to bounce off of eelo's comments about licensure, it may sound complicated, but it's not so bad. i have certifications in both PA and VA in:
art k-12
spedical ed (emotional disturbance, mental retardation, and general special ed) K-12
middle school math

for the math cert. all i had to do was take the test because i already held a k-12 license. so you can get multiple secondary certs just by taking the test.

it's better to get the initial license in the more "difficult" state. i got all of mine in PA, and VA was able to accept them fairly easily because PA is more strict.

also to bounce off of eelo's comments about licensure, it may sound complicated, but it's not so bad. i have certifications in both PA and VA in:
art k-12
spedical ed (emotional disturbance, mental retardation, and general special ed) K-12
middle school math

for the math cert. all i had to do was take the test because i already held a k-12 license. so you can get multiple secondary certs just by taking the test.

it's better to get the initial license in the more "difficult" state. i got all of mine in PA, and VA was able to accept them fairly easily because PA is more strict.

What did you major in? If I may ask?

What did you major in? If I may ask?

sure

my BFA is in painting and art education (double major)
my M.Ed. is in special ed

i do not have a degree in math, but i was able to pass the test (i aced that bad boy!) after having my k-12 certifications. so that's what i meant when i was talking about secondary subjects. sorry if any of it was confusing.

sure

my BFA is in painting and art education (double major)
my M.Ed. is in special ed

i do not have a degree in math, but i was able to pass the test (i aced that bad boy!) after having my k-12 certifications. so that's what i meant when i was talking about secondary subjects. sorry if any of it was confusing.

No, not confusing, very helpful.

My best friend is in FL and has helped me figure out how it works there. Your experience is great to know as well! It's hard figuring it all out when you don't have a clue where you will live.

I really want to major in middle eastern studies. Sort of seems like it's coming out of left field I'm sure... secret passion I guess. I feel most in our nation don't know enough about that region, if anything.
I was looking at majoring in education, but it's very difficult form overseas, if possible at all. You have to coordinate the DODDS schools for internships with your college... big mess.

No, not confusing, very helpful.

My best friend is in FL and has helped me figure out how it works there. Your experience is great to know as well! It's hard figuring it all out when you don't have a clue where you will live.

I really want to major in middle eastern studies. Sort of seems like it's coming out of left field I'm sure... secret passion I guess. I feel most in our nation don't know enough about that region, if anything.
I was looking at majoring in education, but it's very difficult form overseas, if possible at all. You have to coordinate the DODDS schools for internships with your college... big mess.

If you major in Education, your licensure/certification will probably be in Elementary Ed. In order to get a middle or high school cert, you have to be an "expert in the area," so you'd need to have a degree in an area related to your field.

If you're majoring in M.E.S., that will likely fall under History or Political Science, or both. In VA, there is a website that describes how much education (how many hours) you need, and how they need to be distributed, to be eligible for licensure. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Compliance/TeacherED/nulicvr.pdf

These are pretty standard from state to state. You could gain licensure, but you'd need to make sure you have the required background in US/American history also (see page 49).

If you're looking at teaching middle school, all the interesting MES stuff will only count as Electives. You'll still have to have the required American history and government stuff. Plus, besides the degree in the area of expertise, you'll need to make sure you get classes in Classroom Management and the required Spec ed classes (VA requires two- Spec Ed law and one other, for all teachers). These are easy to obtain, and if you can't get thim in a formal classroom, you could get them through a career-switcher program or an alternative route to licensure (most states have these programs available).

If you major in Education, your licensure/certification will probably be in Elementary Ed. In order to get a middle or high school cert, you have to be an "expert in the area," so you'd need to have a degree in an area related to your field.

If you're majoring in M.E.S., that will likely fall under History or Political Science, or both. In VA, there is a website that describes how much education (how many hours) you need, and how they need to be distributed, to be eligible for licensure. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Compliance/TeacherED/nulicvr.pdf

These are pretty standard from state to state. You could gain licensure, but you'd need to make sure you have the required background in US/American history also (see page 49).

If you're looking at teaching middle school, all the interesting MES stuff will only count as Electives. You'll still have to have the required American history and government stuff. Plus, besides the degree in the area of expertise, you'll need to make sure you get classes in Classroom Management and the required Spec ed classes (VA requires two- Spec Ed law and one other, for all teachers). These are easy to obtain, and if you can't get thim in a formal classroom, you could get them through a career-switcher program or an alternative route to licensure (most states have these programs available).

Thanks
We are 99% sure we are getting 3 more years over here, so my options in education are very limited. Just the sacrifice I have to make to enjoy a lil more time in Europe while we are young and he's working on his career.
Right now it's all just ideas up in the air I suppose, a pipe dream.
I just want to get my degree in something I care about, and something I'm interested in learning. I would then love to pass that interest and knowledge on, maybe spark interest in others. That pretty much sums up my desire in all of this.
I have a few months to make the decision. Then I have to start applying to whichever school I choose to complete my Bachelor's.

Thanks
We are 99% sure we are getting 3 more years over here, so my options in education are very limited. Just the sacrifice I have to make to enjoy a lil more time in Europe while we are young and he's working on his career.
Right now it's all just ideas up in the air I suppose, a pipe dream.
I just want to get my degree in something I care about, and something I'm interested in learning. I would then love to pass that interest and knowledge on, maybe spark interest in others. That pretty much sums up my desire in all of this.
I have a few months to make the decision. Then I have to start applying to whichever school I choose to complete my Bachelor's.

Do you have UMUC over there? Troy U? U of Oklahoma? You should be able to get a BS in just about anything, and just have a lot of hours in the area that you wish to specialize (I think most states require 18 hours, 9 of which have to be upper level). You should be able to get enough History and/or PolySci credits to complete a degree.

from: http://www.sicily.navy.mil/nassig/fac.htm

Navy Campus
The services available at the Navy College Office are open to all military personnel, the civilian component and their family members in the Sigonella area. Some of the services that we provide include academic advisement, degree planning, and referral to one of the U.S. colleges at Naval Air Station Sigonella or an alternative program depending on your goals; information on financial aid including Tuition Assistance (TA) and, various VA education benefits; assistance in selecting examinations that will help you in your academic program. We administer GED, SAT, ACT, CLEP, DSSTs, ECE, GRE Subject, the PRAXIS and numerous certification examinations; career and vocational information that can help you with your future goals; evaluation of service schools for potential college credit and SMART; information on distance learning/education courses through Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) or other sources; information on other degree programs, such as external degree programs and SOCNAV; and assistance with enrollments in the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program.

Now, depending how much college credit you already have, you may want to start out at Central Texas College, or you could go directly to UMUC http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/locations/Italy/navy/sigonella.html . I completed my undergrad degree in Japan through UMUC. They always had a good selection of classes.

I also highly encourage you to look into taking CLEP courses, especially things like "Lifestyle Human Development" and "Human Geography." They're pretty easy, they'll save you time, and they'll save you money. UMUC is good about accepting CLEP credits. The nice thing about UMUC is that they're all over the world on military bases, including several stateside bases.

Also- you'll need to take some tests for your license. The PRAXIS I is a general knowledge test, and PRAXIS II will be in your specialty area. In Virginia, we no longer do the PRAXIS I, we do the VCLA (same as PRAXIS but without the math), so you should check with whatever state you're in to find out which test(s) you'll need to take.

I think I'm going to go through AMU for their middle eastern studies program.

I've lived here 3 years, I know what colleges are here, just not a fan of what they offer. I'm going through CCC right now to finish my AA.

I definitely think it takes a certain person to teach middle school! I even thought that when I was IN middle school! I think if you are drawn to it though that you should definitely go for it!

I think you would be great at it:cp I so do not have the patience for that teen tude. Give me a toddler with a tantrum anyday but no teens for me. God Bless those teachers..they are amazing:hugs