| 1. What kind of educational requirements did you have to meet, in order to obtain your current career in Education?
In my case, I had a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree first, with an English major and Sociology major. I worked two years (as a receptionist, then as a newspaper reporter/photographer), then I went into the Bachelor of Education After Degree Program - elementary, which was two more years. However, I was able to teach after 18 months, when I got my Professional "A" teaching certificate, before I got my degree the next year. (It was the last year that was allowed.)
2. Was there any gap in between your expectations of pay and actual salary?
Not really, had a good idea.
3. Do you see yourself continuing your education to possibly move forward in your career?
Not any more, I am older now, and have a family. I would have had no desire to go into administration, though.
4. Are you happy in your career decisions? Why or why not?
Totally. It was what I wanted to do since I was in elementary school. And I didn't just stay a classroom teacher, I later did ESL and Adult Literacy, I taught juvenile offenders and provincial inmates, then federally sentenced inmates in a psychiatric institution. I did tutoring in ESL, then adult students from levels of zero to university level. I also taught workplace literacy. Variety!
5. What is one thing you would inform or suggest to a student pursuing education?
It's WAY more work than you can imagine. Don't think you'll be a good teacher just because you 'love kids' or because of all the holidays! You need to really dedicate yourself to it - it's almost like a lifestyle, it can be really consuming.
And don't put yourself in a box - you can teach in different settings, like I did, or go overseas, or a whole plethora of things!  |