Teaching, 2nd Edition Page 42 (58 of 464)

42
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Unit 1 You—The Teacher of Tomorrow
Volunteering. Volunteering is an excellent way
to actually interact with children. Volunteers
do much of the important work in communities
without payment or wages. Once you become
aware of needs, you are likely to find many
opportunities. You can learn more about
children of different age levels. You might
volunteer to help with an after-school program
at an elementary school. You could become
a tutor in a youth program or get involved in
programs such as Cub Scouts or Brownies. You
could help coach a sport. Summer camps, child
care programs, Special Olympics (Figure 2.2),
and community recreation programs all benefit
from enthusiastic and committed volunteers.
Short-term projects are also an option.
You might help with an elementary school
fundraiser, set up a school’s art fair, or help
a middle school group with a car wash.
Volunteering can give you valuable leadership
experience. In essence, teachers are those who
lead others in learning.
All volunteer experiences, even those
that do not involve children, can help you
improve the skills you need for success
in college and a career. You may assist
with planning, carrying out, and evaluating
activities. Volunteer activities typically require
creativity and problem-solving skills, and
offer opportunities to work with people of
different backgrounds and ages. Dedication to
your volunteer job, even if it is inconvenient,
strengthens your sense of commitment. Every
experience teaches you much and helps you stretch and grow as a
productive citizen.
Volunteer work can also be a valuable addition to your résumé. In
addition, some of the adults with whom you work may be willing to act as
references, attesting to your character, commitment, and work.
Service-learning. A special type of unpaid volunteer effort, or
service-learning, combines classroom learning with meaningful
hands-on experience to meet community needs. Service-learning
projects require analyzing needs, learning related information, planning
a way to help, following through, and evaluating the experience.
Figure 2.2 Serving as a volunteer offers
you an opportunity to work with students
of varying age levels and abilities.

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42
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Unit 1 You—The Teacher of Tomorrow
Volunteering. Volunteering is an excellent way
to actually interact with children. Volunteers
do much of the important work in communities
without payment or wages. Once you become
aware of needs, you are likely to find many
opportunities. You can learn more about
children of different age levels. You might
volunteer to help with an after-school program
at an elementary school. You could become
a tutor in a youth program or get involved in
programs such as Cub Scouts or Brownies. You
could help coach a sport. Summer camps, child
care programs, Special Olympics (Figure 2.2),
and community recreation programs all benefit
from enthusiastic and committed volunteers.
Short-term projects are also an option.
You might help with an elementary school
fundraiser, set up a school’s art fair, or help
a middle school group with a car wash.
Volunteering can give you valuable leadership
experience. In essence, teachers are those who
lead others in learning.
All volunteer experiences, even those
that do not involve children, can help you
improve the skills you need for success
in college and a career. You may assist
with planning, carrying out, and evaluating
activities. Volunteer activities typically require
creativity and problem-solving skills, and
offer opportunities to work with people of
different backgrounds and ages. Dedication to
your volunteer job, even if it is inconvenient,
strengthens your sense of commitment. Every
experience teaches you much and helps you stretch and grow as a
productive citizen.
Volunteer work can also be a valuable addition to your résumé. In
addition, some of the adults with whom you work may be willing to act as
references, attesting to your character, commitment, and work.
Service-learning. A special type of unpaid volunteer effort, or
service-learning, combines classroom learning with meaningful
hands-on experience to meet community needs. Service-learning
projects require analyzing needs, learning related information, planning
a way to help, following through, and evaluating the experience.
Figure 2.2 Serving as a volunteer offers
you an opportunity to work with students
of varying age levels and abilities.

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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
43
Chapter 2 Becoming a Teacher
For example, a child development class might look into the problem
of injury and death rates among young children involved in vehicle
accidents. Research might show that many child safety seats lack proper
installation, while others may have active recalls. The class might work
with an agency such as the American Red Cross to organize a safety-
check day. Parents of young children could bring their vehicles to school
to have the child safety seats checked. In addition, the class might
prepare an information sheet on child safety to give to parents who attend
the safety check day. Both the parents and students would evaluate the
experience.
A service-learning project such as this enhances learning, fills a
community need, and helps students see that they can make a difference
(Figure 2.3). If your school does not have a service-learning program, talk
to your teachers about establishing one.
Part-time work. Part-time work is another way to gain experience with
children while still in high school. Child care centers, recreation programs,
and after-school care programs are just a few of the places that hire
part-time or summer staff. Your interest in teaching, related classes you
have taken, and any volunteer experiences would help make you a good
candidate.
Figure 2.3 By combining your volunteer efforts and a service-learning
project, you can gain valuable experience to improve your leadership and
work skills while helping others.

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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
41
Chapter 2 Becoming a Teacher
teachers for their recommendations. Search online to find possible
schools and learn more about them. This will help you decide which
schools interest you most and might be a good fit for you.
When you narrow your list of potential colleges and universities, visit
their websites to learn about their entrance requirements and the courses
you would take. Try to visit the colleges or universities at the top of your
list during your junior year. Send applications for admission to colleges in
the fall of your senior year.
Guidance counselors also have a wealth of information. For example,
if the cost of college is a concern, ask for information about financial aid.
Colleges and universities award scholarships on a basis of academic
excellence or other criteria. Some grants are available, usually for those
who show real economic need. Grant money does not require repayment.
Student loans are usually available at low interest rates with repayment
over a longer time period than normal loans. Your guidance counselor can
help you figure out options for financial aid possibilities and other options
for coping with educational expenses.
Gain Experience and Improve Your Skills
While in high school, gain as much experience working with children
of various ages as you can. Why gain experience now? You have
opportunities now that are different from those open to you later in life.
Working with children can help you make a better decision about whether
teaching in an elementary or secondary school is a good career choice
for you. In addition, colleges and universities look favorably on applicants
who have shown community involvement. There are many ways you can
gain experience in teaching and working with children.
Job shadowing. In many high school teaching programs, students have
the opportunity to visit a classroom and job shadow a teacher. In job
shadowing, you follow a person on the job for a few hours, a day, or
even longer to experience what the person’s career typically involves.
Job shadowing has many benefits. It can give you valuable insight into
the person’s daily tasks, activities, and interactions with others. Seeing a
professional in action helps you identify the skills you need. You may also
have the opportunity to discuss the experience with the person you are
shadowing and ask questions.
Since job shadowing is only a short-term activity, you might try to
shadow a variety of people in careers of interest to you. You could, for
example, spend time with teachers at different grade levels or perhaps a
special education teacher or a reading specialist. In addition to what you
learn, each experience offers you a new professional contact. Sometimes
teachers and counselors arrange for job shadowing, but you can also
make arrangements to do so yourself.

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Page 2Unit 1 You—The Teacher of Tomorrow click to expand contents

Page 58Unit 2 The School click to expand contents

Page 126Unit 3 The Learner click to expand contents

Page 202Unit 4 The Teacher click to expand contents

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