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Ashlynn
Student
Redondo Beach, California
2
Questions
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How do you know what grade level is best suited for you when getting into teaching/education? #Spring25
I’m a senior in high school and plan to attend the university of Utah to study philosophy and maybe get into teaching! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! #spring25
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Alan Gooding
Strategic Account Executive
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Bentonville, Arkansas
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Alan’s Answer
I was a teacher for 5 years in the UK, 4 years in High School, 1 year in elementary...
Follow your gut on this one on what drives you:
- A younger class with have a lot more time with just you. You'll see more rapid development in their growth, teach them a large variety of subject areas, know their strengths and weaknesses at a much deeper level, spend a lot of energy on the basics or reading, writing and math, but also have fun with crafts, music, discussions etc. You will need a great understanding of phonics and how to teach those early skills, plenty of patience as progress can be slow with some, and deal with issues like how younger people communicate, the 'drama' they have and how their energy levels fluctuate greatly.
- The older ones, as you'll remember more readily and be more familiar with, have different rewards and challenges. You'll be more of a specialist in a given area, focusing on a certain couple of subjects. Great if you're passionate about a certain set of topics. Conversations are a lot more engaging on a daily basis with your students, although behavioral problems can also be harder to navigate. You get less time with each student compared to elementary, so you need to make each minute count. You also get a chance as students get older to shape them as adults and prepare them for further education and careers.
Like I said, one will just feel more right than the other to you, and if not, try this; if you're passionate about learning in general and helping children get the best start, go younger...if you're passionate about a certain subject area and want to inspire young adults, go older.
Hope that helps.
Follow your gut on this one on what drives you:
- A younger class with have a lot more time with just you. You'll see more rapid development in their growth, teach them a large variety of subject areas, know their strengths and weaknesses at a much deeper level, spend a lot of energy on the basics or reading, writing and math, but also have fun with crafts, music, discussions etc. You will need a great understanding of phonics and how to teach those early skills, plenty of patience as progress can be slow with some, and deal with issues like how younger people communicate, the 'drama' they have and how their energy levels fluctuate greatly.
- The older ones, as you'll remember more readily and be more familiar with, have different rewards and challenges. You'll be more of a specialist in a given area, focusing on a certain couple of subjects. Great if you're passionate about a certain set of topics. Conversations are a lot more engaging on a daily basis with your students, although behavioral problems can also be harder to navigate. You get less time with each student compared to elementary, so you need to make each minute count. You also get a chance as students get older to shape them as adults and prepare them for further education and careers.
Like I said, one will just feel more right than the other to you, and if not, try this; if you're passionate about learning in general and helping children get the best start, go younger...if you're passionate about a certain subject area and want to inspire young adults, go older.
Hope that helps.
Your advice was so helpful!
Ashlynn