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Advice for ParentsTeaching offers a valuable life lesson
By Leanna
LandsmannQ: My daughter, who will graduate college in May, informed us
that she has applied to Teach For America because she wants to "give back."
She likes working with kids, but after an Ivy League education, we think she should
earn some real money and "give back" later. What can we do to help her
clarify her thinking? A: Perhaps I can help you clarify the opportunity
your daughter sees in teaching. She isn't the only student in the class of 2008
sizing up the job market for new grads and finding it challenging. Nor is she
the only young person drawn to service fields after high school or college. "More
and more graduates are exploring public service," says David R. Caplan, dean
of City Year New York, (cityyear.org), a nonprofit organization that engages young
people in a year of service in 18 cities. "There are good 'selfish'
reasons to serve your country when you're young. You get to know yourself and
what you're made of," says Caplan, who is working with Congress to create
more service programs for young people. "Going in the military, tackling
a tough teaching post, serving in politics or the health care sector -- all these
are intensely challenging and fulfilling after graduating from college. Public
service helps young people define their professional personalities, learn what
they are passionate about, and gain perspective, insight and leadership skills.
After their service, they are better employees and more engaged citizens. Mom
and Dad should be thrilled that their daughter is making such a mature calculation."
Teaching has great appeal as a career choice and is a great foundation
for other professions. Jordan Kutcher, a New York City middle school teacher,
joined Teach For America after graduating from Dartmouth in 2007. She's finishing
her first year as a classroom teacher and completing a master's degree, paid for
as part of her commitment. She admits that her "mom was very nervous with
my decision. She spoke with Teach for America representatives before letting me
accept!" Kutcher was drawn to teaching because she, too, liked working
with kids. She had been a tutor, camp counselor and a teacher's assistant at Dartmouth.
Kutcher doesn't regret her decision one bit. "I enjoy understanding why I
am at work every day. Teaching gives you that enjoyment," says Kutcher. "I
love connecting with students in a profound way. Hearing parents' appreciation
of my daily work is great. Experiencing my own personal growth is really satisfying."
But it hasn't all been easy. To help your daughter make her decision, Kutcher
advises that she reflect on the following: -- Expect tough challenges:
"There were many that I never considered," says Kutcher. "My students
are way more rambunctious than I could have imagined. School discipline systems
are weak; the school bureaucracy is sluggish with irrational priorities. And in
a larger sense, it's challenging to work in New York City school system which
forces frustrating decisions and consequences on my classroom." --
Determine the long-term benefit: By the end of the program, Kutcher will have
a free masters in education. "I plan to stay in teaching. I'll have gained
two very valuable years of training," says Kutcher. "If I ever switch
professions, the skills I developed will serve me well. I've learned to deal with
high pressure and unpredictability, how to collect, analyze and implement data
on student performance, and how to work effectively with colleagues. These skills
are all transferable to any future position." -- Examine adaptability
and motives: "In my Teach for America interview I was asked, 'Have you ever
quit anything?' At the time, I didn't know why it was an important question,"
says Kutcher. "A month into the job, I understood!" Your daughter
may end up teaching a level different than what she imagined, says Kutcher. If
she loves kindergarteners but recoils at teaching teens, she should rethink her
application. She should also ask herself, does she want to do this for the kids
and to learn the skill of teaching, or is she doing it because she thinks this
is a good way to begin a career? If it's the latter, she may burn out quickly.
Finally, your daughter should have a back-up plan. Teach For America (teachforamerica.org)
is highly competitive. Last year, only 2,900 were chosen from more than 18,000
applicants. Have her search for similar opportunities in states and districts
with programs to recruit qualified but noncertified people into teaching. Some
provide assistance for graduate studies. ---
Do you have a question
about your child's education? E-mail it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com.
Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher.
She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe
best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.
Copyright 2008, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
A-PLUS ADVICE FOR PARENTS
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