What setting or settings are you interested in working in when you receive your respective degree in Instructional Technology? Explain how you will fit in this particular setting. What questions (if any) do you have about working in this particular work setting?
I love teaching in the classroom. I started teaching in middle school, and trust me, that take’s talent. Since then, I’ve been working in an elementary school. I started in 5th grade and now I am in the Literacy Lab incorporating technology with reading for all grades. For now, I will continue in this setting. Once I get this degree, I will stay in the schools until my daughter gets out of elementary school. At this point, my options will expand. I can’t/won’t do middle school again, so I can either continue where I am, or move up. The only problem is, I really like being in the classroom.
If I leave the classroom, it would be for an Instructional Design type of job. Our county has curriculum director positions at the administrative level that I would consider. I don’t want to suffer from complete boredom so I would have to find out how much actual class time I’d get. I would be interested in continuing to work in a teaching setting, but would be willing to do part time instructional design. I would like to be a trainer for other teachers, or possibly teach at the college level. I do have lots of questions though. Is it boring? Is it as rewarding at the classroom? Is it a 12 month position The only reason I’d ask that is that I still have kids that I wouldn’t want home alone over the summer. Is the change in pay worth leaving the classroom?
5 comments:
You said you were interested in teaching other teachers. The Faculty Development position in Higher Education may be an option for you.
Right now, I left the classroom for a tech facilitator job and I love it. On the elementary level--I get alot of interaction with the students without the headaches of callign parents, discipline...So yeah--it is worth it to me. But I do miss that special bond that you form with your own students.
It's interesting, because I left the self-contained classroom last year (meaning 5th grade all subjects, not EC) and had a really strong bond with all of my students. This year, I am in the literacy lab and see 600 kids a week. I have a huge connection with 1 (my daughter :)) but still don't know half of their names. It's less and it's more. I can see the balance wherever I go.
I would like the opportunity to train teachers as well one day. I know that there are some positions at the high school level where you help teachers at that school integrate technology into their classrooms. This may interest you because it is a ten month position so you would be able to have the summers off to spend with your children.
I was a trainer for a combined total of over four years. I enjoyed the time, but as an instructional designer, I can't say that I miss it. I like workiing with the big picture items. That being said, I am planning on making it a professional goal to spend some time observing in the classroom, and possibly even the representatives. I can't get too far away from the realities my client faces.
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