I was majoring in both this and history at one point, then dropped to just history. Really really ejoyed some of the PS stuff, and really really hated the rest, haha. Felt like I’d rather just take more history classes and enjoy myself.
I’m hoping to be able to teach history (probably social studies in general) at the local high school and then get hired to teach a night class or two at one of the local colleges (this has already been discussed with people, high likelihood of it happening), so sticking with one subject for the high school would probably be best if I want to juggle the two jobs.
My school recently started a Native American studies minor. They would really like to be able to consistently offer a Lakota (language) class, but can’t find a long term teacher. I plan on getting the certificate required to teach Lakota in my state and teach that at the college. Maybe even at the high school, but that’d probably take longer to start up. Anyway, the Lakota college classes should be pretty much entirely students who want to be there. My school doesn’t really do adjunct stuff much. Pretty much all intro-level and upper-level classes are all taught by the same tenured professors. It’s a small school but really great faculty who are there to teach, not just do research and pass stuff off onto TA’s.
Lakota would definitely not fit the paradigm I described.
Last time I looked, adjuncts were making $2500 to $3000 per semester, teach a set curriculum, and obvs, deal with kids just trying to get required classes out of the way, which is why I have that opinion.
One way to look at teaching is as mission work and that mitigates the low pay in many districts. I made pretty good money teaching on Long Island, but that comes with a different set of problems. The forty minutes of class was awesome - it was the other stuff that was a drag.
That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m pretty realistic about it - I’m fully aware I will not change hundred of students’ worlds, and have classes full of engaged, passionate kids, and that I’ll probably get tired of my bosses and probably most of the students at some points too, but I’ve always wanted to be able to be a good role model and connect with, specifically, Native American youth. I feel teaching would allow me to do that, and the schedule still allows for me to pursue other interests. (@Frank_C got into teaching for similar reasons, I believe, after leaving the law enforcement community.)
Of course, I could end up not lasting long, or not end up going into teaching period, but I feel pretty strongly that it’s something I would feel “good” about doing. The low pay (I think my state has the lowest teacher wages in the country) is okay. More important things than money in life.
That’s awesome that you’re thinking in a big picture way! You may not change hundreds of lives, but isn’t it worth it even if you change one?
I can’t exactly preach to my students or share my faith, but I can show them God’s love through the way I treat them. I can teach them Godly traits/values without busting out the Bible.
I love my new job. I’ve experienced a lot of stress this year but it’s self imposed. I’m a rookie teacher and I have days where I feel like I failed. I don’t like sucking so I get frustrated with myself. I know I’ll get better and experience less of this.
I might write a blog post about my thoughts behind my career change. If I do, I’ll share it in my log.
Rerunning The Last Odyssey by James Rollins to remember were we left off. His new Sigma Force novel is finally being released today. Been waiting two years for this one. Book 16. I love this series.
Read some of The Return of the Russian Leviathan by Sergei Medvedev for class, then wrote a short paper on it today. Interesting stuff. @loppar - might interest you? Or @anna_5588?
A former public relation professional. Where propaganda was born. Can’t imagine what could be wrong here.
A 2020 Forbes article by Shellenberger, in which he promoted Apocalypse Never , was analyzed by seven academic reviewers and one editor from the Climate Feedback fact-checking project. The reviewers conclude that Shellenberger "mixes accurate and inaccurate claims in support of a misleading and overly simplistic argumentation about climate change
Finished Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson and What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline.
Currently reading The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon.
