I teach Algebra 1 and Accelerated Pre-Calculus to high school sophomores and juniors. I also run a community service class where high school students help out in classrooms with cognitively impaired students or elementary school students. I'm the Junior Class Sponsor and I coordinate student volunteers for a literacy program at the elementary schools.

EDUCATION | Bachelors Degree in Math and Political Science with a Secondary Teaching Certificate, Masters Degree in Teaching, Education Specialist Degree

HOW TO GET STARTED | It's a good choice. Just make sure you enjoy kids and know what you're getting into by volunteering and observing in classrooms. Your heart really has to be in it. And it's best to figure that out before you invest the time and money in school and in student teaching. Most states are putting more of an emphasis on the four core academic subjects, so choosing to major in an elective area may make it tougher for you to find a job. Definitely choose a subject you're passionate about, but consider having a backup that's more marketable.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | patience, love of kids, sense of humor, strong knowledge of content area, realistic expectations about the challenges

how I got started | In college, I decided to enroll in the Teacher Education Program. We were required to do pre-student teaching which, for me, involved 30 hours of observation in a local middle school class. I wanted to get as much exposure to students as possible to make sure I was picking the right career for me, so I also tutored and volunteered for an afterschool program for elementary school kids - and of course did the required student teaching at a nearby high school. Offers weren't pouring out for teachers the year I graduated. When I didn't have a job by the end of the summer, I packed up to go live with my cousin in Boston for a year. Half-way into the drive, I called home and found out I got a teaching offer from my hometown school district. So I turned around and started teaching the following week.

why this job?| Sounds a little cliche, but I always wanted to be a teacher. I was that little girl who always played school and corrected imaginary papers...which is funny now because that's one of my least favorite parts of the job! My dad was a teacher, so it was definitely an inspiration seeing how much he enjoyed his work. In high school I was drawn to volunteer opportunities that involved working with younger kids - like DARE and SADD, tutoring, and Horizons Upward Bound. I did a Political Science Internship working in my Congressman's office in Washington DC one summer in college. I loved it, but recognized the teacher lifestyle was a better fit for me.

why I love this job!| I love the kids - they're all unique, talented in their own ways and sometimes they're really funny. I assign this one project that encourages them to get creative...last year I had kids making movies, playing the guitar and singing songs about math topics. That's always one of my favorite days of the semester. I also really like getting involved with the student activities outside of the classroom - it's fun to get to know the kids on another level. And it's especially rewarding when they come back to visit semesters or years after I had them in class - in some cases it's the kid who sat in the back that I didn't even think was listening to me. It's nice to know you had an effect on them. Other than the students, I love having supportive administrators. I recently started a program for high schoolers to make college campus visits and I got all the support I needed. Of course, I love the teacher schedule and vacations, too!

my typical day| Arrive in classroom with cup of tea in hand by 7:15 AM, chat with students and prepare for first hour Algebra, bell rings at 7:25. Teach Math for first three hours - presenting notes, doing an activity or giving a test. Fourth hour is my planning/lunch hour - students bring lunches and I help them with problems. Since I also run the Community Service program, my last two hours are spent tracking the 60 community service students...making sure everything is going smoothly, talking with the students and teachers, doing classroom visits. I'll stay until 3 PM or later to help students, run the Math Lab or have a meeting with the Junior Class. Sometimes I'll work a gymnastics meet or other sporting event in the evening.

what they are | As a teacher, you want everyone to do well in your class, but you can't make the students learn or even show up. Some kids are dealing with really tough issues at home - like working full time to support their family because Mom or Dad lost their job. They need to pass Algebra to graduate, but they don't come to class. It's frustrating that you don't have as much control as you'd like. It can also be challenging to plan for three classes in one prep hour. It often requires time outside of school that you'd prefer to spend with your family. And, depending on the district, budgets are tight. I could do a lot with a smart board and other technologies in my classroom, but it's not in the budget.

all about growth | Teachers have the opportunity to move into school or district level administration positions, but many choose to stay in the classroom. Some teachers will also teach at the university level.

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