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Becoming a Secondary Teacher

By: Ms. Berkey

English 9

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“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams

+Education and Skills Bachelor’s Degree required

Minimum of four years

Completion of student-teaching internship Proper documentation from State Board of

Education Must meet all requirements

Many skills necessary Being able to communicate with students, parents,

community, administration, and other teachers is key

+Responsibilities

Educate the students in specialized subject area Plan and implement lessons Provide safe learning environment

Foster student’s intellectual and social development

Aid in the selection of courses, college, and careers Give student’s tools to be productive members of society

Perform other school-related responsibilities Hall monitoring of cafeteria duty Attend faculty meetings and professional development days

+Erin Gruwell Taught at Woodrow Wilson High

School in Long Beach, CA Many of her students were

sucked into the world of gangs, drugs, and violence

Used unconventional teaching methods, set high expectations, and devoted countless hours to her students

Freedom Writers- movie made about her impact

+Why I Would Like to be a Teacher It has often been said that some of

the most influential people in an adolescent’s life are their teachers. Teaching is an unbounded process that is constantly being evaluated, revised, and improved upon in order to be as effective as possible for every student that enters the classroom. It is my hope that as a teacher I will ultimately make a difference in the lives of as many students as possible. Through my years of schooling I have come to realize one thing: it is not the subject being taught that makes a student enjoy the class; it is the teacher. By acting as a positive role model and showing that I truly care about each student, I hope that I become one of these special people.

+Resources

Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2011. 11 March 2012 <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos318.htm>.

Penn State College of Education. 2012. 11 March 2012 <http://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/>.

The Freedom Writers Foundation. 2006. 11 March 2012 <http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/site/c.kqIXL2PFJtH/b.2286935/k.92DC/A_Teachers_Vision.htm>.