Critical Need for Quality Teachers

Teaching colleges gradutate a lot of people that have degrees in education, its the ones that decide to stay in the field that end up being the teachers that make a difference. There is a large turn over rate in the first probationary years, probably due to the starting salary being not as high as some other professions. Also, because a lot of new teachers can not deal with all the politics that go on in the American school system. One bad thing is that all the older teachers are at, or near retimrement age, so there will be a huge need in the next 10-15 years.
Another thing that is happening is that some districts are so desparate for teachers, they are hiring people that just obtained thier teachers certificate, but have no education background. These people usually come from another career in business or other path. This could result in the quality of the students education being effected negatively because the new teachers did not go through any sort of teachers program.
For me, the realization of a smaller starting salery does not really effect my decision of wanting to go into this field. I am going into education because I want to be a good role model for children. Also, to set good examples for them so they can see how being a teacher can be a "cool" job to have. Being in this field because you want to be, not because your doing it so you can find a better paying job, will make all the difference in the world.
I think that starting out here at the community college is a great stepping stone in that direction. By being one of a few men that decide to go into elementary education, that in itself will provide children with a diverse and non-stereotypical teaching view.

So Much

I would read this book to a class because it shows that people of different color can care for each other just as much as anybody else. It will show the students that all people have families, just like they do. The children will get a positive view on other races and will help them decide that people can get along, no matter what they look like. It can also be used to put a positive spin on tolerance.
This book could be used in a social studies lesson because it will help represent people that possibly are not in the same class or school that the students are in. The book will shed light on a diverse world that the children are probably not completely aware of yet. After reading the book to the class, asking the students individually what they thought about it will give me the opportunity to explain how skin color doesn't make them any different than anyone else.

Education Philosophy

The first thing for one to realize is that you are not going to go into the teaching profession to earn an enormous amount of money, well not at the start anyway. I believe people going into a profession such as this need to be there because they enjoy being around children, and are not doing it to just collect a paycheck while looking for somehting else.
Teaching is a job that will definetly require a lot of patience and enthusiasm on a daily basis. When you walk into the class room, the kids can immedietly pick up on whether or not your going to be helping or hurting the learning experience that day. If your not on your A game, then you could possibly hand over control of the daily activities to the students.
A really important piece that needs to be taught early on is that having respect for each other is a very good thing to do. Especially at a young age, the need for children to realize that when you give repect, you will recieve it is monumental. I believe that when you have established respect for each other early on, you will be able to introduce the basics of reading, writing and mathmatics with a positive response.
Going into elementary education will definetly require an enormous amount of flexibility and adaptability on my part. Being able to identify how different students learn early on in the academic year will be a tremendous help to me. I know this wil take time, and plenty of guidence from my fellow teachers.
The biggest asset that I believe will help me deal with children on a daily basis is patience. What has helped me develop this trait has been by working at summer youth camps. There, you are with the kids 24/7, so it is like getting a crash course in the art of being patient. I believe all aspiring teachers should at one point work with kids in a challenging environment, such as a camp, so that they may be able to develop a much needed characteristic. I know there is still a lot more patience that can be gained, and it is a goal to continue to work on this very important factor when it comes to helping children learn.
I have realized now that not a lot of men are going into education, even more so on the elementary level. I believe by bringing a different point of view on approaches to learning just because I am a male can be beneficial, not only to my female peers, but to the children as well.