It is Veteran’s Day so I have the day off. I am struggling to find time to blog posts and update this site, but I’m not giving up.
Today’s discussion is on the education system in CT versus Florida. It is so very different. I’d love to know where you live and what you can add to this discussion.
In CT you MUST have a bachelor’s degree to enter a classroom and an associate’s degree to be an assistant. In FL you can enter a classroom if you are going to get your certification and/or switch careers and h a current certificate in anything.
In CT you have 5 years to get your master’s degree to continue to teach in a school. In Fl you do not have to have a master’s degree. The current school I teach in does not require a master’s degree or prior teaching in the area of choice.
Teachers with experience working with children DOES NOT set you up for success in a classroom or school. To be an effective teacher you must have:
- effective management skills
- knowledge of the curriculum you are teaching
- organizational skills
- time management
- understanding that based on the grade you are teaching you may be a : parent, nurse and counselor along with the teacher hat.
- complete paperwork in a timely manner
- plan for meetings
- know your students really well
- connect with their parents
- be positive
- be comforting
- clearly teach the objectives of the lesson
- understand not all students understand the first, second or third time of instruction.
- Understand the laws for special education and 505
- be a mandated reporter
- work together
- clean your room
- plan ahead
- attend night events
- attend weekend events
- show up on time
- take limited days off
- communicate effectively with substitutes
THIS LIST GOES ON AND ON:
Anyone who says “Teachers teach because they can’t do” is clearly unaware of what goes on in a classroom on a daily basis.
Being a special education teacher completes the list from above along with all the legal requirements and plans for each individual child by writing an individualized plan for each child including accommodations and modifications, shares with the parent and all staff involved. They are responsible for making anything needed to support the child ad collaborates with the general education teacher to make sure the plan is followed on a daily basis.
Teachers bring many things home to complete on week nights as well as weekends because the day only allows a lunch and prep if meetings don’t take their places. Any work done out of the school hours isn’t compensated.
Why do people enter the teacher field? We truly love educating the tiny people that will become our leaders one day. What do so many people leave the profession? That’s a good question. Everyone has their own reason, but being overworked with paperwork, testing, and juggling all the hats without mentors or leaders or supporters puts some people over the edge and they leave for pure sanity. I left CT for this reason. That is a conversation for another day.
Please check out my resource page for parents and teachers. I hope to help as much as I can. Please share this post so I can reach many people across the globe to continue my daily conversations.
Have a wonderful day and please thank a Veteran for their service!!