K-12 Teacher; I Have Taught High School Level For Most Of My Career.
(Female, Age 59) from Marina del Rey, CA
This is a REAL-LIFE job profile written by a Female aged 59 who works as a K-12 Teacher; I Have Taught High School Level For Most Of My Career. in Marina del Rey, CA. We have removed all names and personal information in order to protect privacy. This professional kindly spent a bit of their time to complete one of our job profile surveys so that prospective job seekers like you could read their insights. Please excuse any punctuation or grammatical errors in this profile.
At a Glance
Current Job
Basic data on your current job
| Job Title | K-12 Teacher; I Have Taught High School Level For Most Of My Career. |
|---|---|
| Salary | $55,000 |
| Other Compensation | None Set |
| Hours/Week | |
| Company Size | (not answered) |
| Location | Marina del Rey, CA |
| Years Experience | 30 years |
Career Ratings
Opinions on your CAREER overall (i.e. not just your current job)
| Years in Career | 0 |
|---|---|
| Education | (not answered) |
| Income Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Interest Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Work-Life Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Fulfilment Rating | 0 / 10 |
Current job Q&A
Describe the type of organization you work for.
I have taught with LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) for over 25 years; working with grades K-12. I have 4 teaching credentials and a multiple subject credential which has enabled me to work in all subject areas and with special needs students. My specialist credential has qualified me to work as a resource specialist for five years.
The last several years, I have become a mentor teacher with BTSA, Beginning Teacher Support Assessment. I have
worked with the Green Dot Public Schools in Los Angeles.
Describe your job role and responsibilities.
The last year, I have mentored teachers who are district interns in their first year of teaching. The program is called BTSA, Beginning Teacher Support Assessment. I work with teachers, K-12, who are in their first year of teaching. My position is to visit the teachers to observe their classroom organization, management strategies, instructional strategies, student activities, lesson planning, their understanding and organization of subject matter, and their selection of appropriate instructional materials and resources. After the observation we reflect together, making recommendations, and discuss areas of follow-up.
Please list an additional benefits (beyond compensation) that you receive.
I have full health benefits, retirement plan of 401K, theState Teachers Retirement System- STRS, vacations are all holidays and summers are optional depending if I choose to teach, 10 paid sick days
Do you feel you are under/over or well/fairly compensated at your current position?
Under, most of my hours of mentoring are volunteered; this week I helped teachers an additional 15 hours beyond my compensated hours..
Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Please explain.
Yes, teaching and supporting others entails strong relationships and building a rapport with students. I enjoy supporting teachers and helping them with resources. I also feel passionate tapping into the potential of teachers as well as children. I look for the greatest areas of strengths and build from there to develop interest and confidence. As a mentor teacher, I have the opportunity to share many resources and help assist with grant programs.
Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes
Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes
Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it.
I work collaboratively with both school administrators and teachers in planning and preparing curriculum, lessons, student goals, and behaviorial strategies. Follow-up and making recommendations is part of our collaborative discussion. My work location has been in a Los Angeles classroom. I have always been able to decorate my classroom with student work, lessons, pictures, and high interest materials.
Please rate each of the following aspects of your current job on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest/best):
Income: 8
Benefits: 5
Hours: 6
Co-Workers: 3
Supervisors: 4
Job Title: 7
Level of Responsibility: 2
The Actual Work: 1
A day in the life of…
Please describe a typical workday for you in your current job:
| 5am to 6am | |
| 6am to 7am | |
| 7am to 8am | I travel to approximately 18 schools monthly to observe, assess, and meet with each school district intern to reflect on their teaching. This is the travel time to reach the school. |
| 8am to 9am | At this time, I arrive at the school and begin my observation of the district intern in the classroom. I begin the write-up and summary for this observation. The write ups reflect on instructional strategies, understanding and organizing subject matter. I provide each district intern eight hours of support monthly. |
| 9am to 10am | After approximately one hour of observation, I organize my notes and prepare recommendations/feedback for the teacher with follow-up suggestions as needed. I record the support categories that are being assessed. |
| 10am to 11am | This hour is a classroom break at which time I can meet with the teacher to review my observation and their response; we can discuss my observations, their reflection of the lesson, recommendations, and needed follow-up. |
| 11am to 12pm | This time concludes the visit and I move on to the next school to begin the observation process again. Travel time in Los Angeles can take up to one hour; schools are located in south central, downtown, West L.A.,and in the Wilshire District. I was not paid for travel time or for car mileage. |
| 12pm to 1pm | Arrival to another school. Sign in at the office and proceed to the classroom to begin the evaluation. The evaluation is written on the monthly log for the district intern participant. I try to see two to three teachers daily. |
| 1pm to 2pm | Observation and taking notes usually takes one hour. I would observe classroom organization, management strategies, standards-based lesson planning, pacing and instruction, strategies, and student activities. Most importantly, is the teachers ability to convey an understanding of subject matter. |
| 2pm to 3pm | At this time, I can meet exclusively with the teacher to reflect on my observations and their evaluation. I usually can make recommendations on selection of appropriate instruction materials and resources based upon my years of experience. We conclude on my follow-up for the next visit/observation. |
| 3pm to 4pm | This time usually completes the school day of observations. If needed, I can add more to the monthly log for the school district intern participants. |
| 4pm to 5pm | NA |
| 5pm to 6pm | NA |
| 6pm to 7pm | NA |
| 7pm to 8pm | NA |
| 8pm to 9pm | NA |
| 9pm to 10pm | NA |
| 10pm to 11pm | NA |
| 11pm to 12am | NA |
Table of Contents
How you got your job
How did you get your current job?
I have worked as a teacher for a total 35 years and was in one school for 25 years. I located my job positions through the school district.
What was the application process?
All of the above- submitting a resume, a paper application, interview, and meeting the administrators.
Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes. The interview was a reflection of my teaching experiences, strengths, and weaknesses. The last interview was with a team or group, but I have been interviewed by an individual too. I was asked if I would be at the school long term, because changes can be difficult for the students. I was questioned about educational programs, discipline strategies, curriculum planning, differentiation, and how to accommodate special need students.
If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
Several questions are mentioned above; regarding curriculum, assessments,lesson planning, student behavior, learning strategies,differentiation, extra curricular activities,writing individualized educational plans, collaboration with staff and training,and my areas of strengths/weaknesses.
Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes. Schools have allowed ongoing training, inservices, and promoted teacher involvement. My principal encouraged teachers to further their training during summers and throughout the year.
Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes. College training for 6 years to obtain an MA and 5 teaching credentials.I have continued to train throughout my career, refresh my skills, and excitement for subject areas. It has been important for me to maintain my passion for learning and follow my areas of interest. This enthusiasm is radiated to the students and they are more engaged when they sense the teachers energy/interest. When you become a teacher, education is forever!
Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes. A teacher must continuously refresh their knowledge and learning; teaching is a continuum of education and being open to new information/change.
If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
Yes,student teaching was so stressful and challenging, but a time of tremendous growth; it was a unforgettable experience. Yes, the experience was a stepping stone to prepare me for teaching and to improve my organizational skills. More importantly, I had to develop my own style and spirit to be an empowering teacher.
If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Teachers need to enjoy working children, going the extra mile, and not working just for the money. They must be patient, concerned for the needs of children, be well organized, and have empathy. Rewards are progress and growth of the child’s potential. A teacher is also a motivator and facilitator for the children to learn.
What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
Teachers must have good organizational skills, computer technology is important to engage the students, and caring social skills. Teachers need to know their subject matter thoroughly and know how to teach with differentiation to accommodate all student needs.
Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Absolutely, college education is necessary to obtain a teaching credential and a grasp of the subject matter.
What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Teaching has tremendous job satisfaction and rewards; being able to make a difference in their lives and to see their changes/development/growth. Teaching is creative, challenging and exciting; working with children is fun and the activities can be wonderful. Everyday is a learning experience for both the teacher and students. A teacher is able to express leadership and influence which is very important work.
Long-term career plans
Is your current employment part of your overall career plan? Why or why not?
To be able to mentor teachers has been a long journey to reach through years of experience. I had hoped one day to be in this position, but did not know if I could attain it. I do feel the confidence and wisdom to pass on what I know and the best resources to use. It is unfortunate that I am not paid for more than 20 hours a month and I am easily giving 60 hours. Teaching and mentoring is undervalued which is reflected in the lower pay; which is why so many do not go into teaching. My mother discouraged me to go into teaching, because of the lower pay scales.
What are your current career goals?
My current goals are to be an outreach educator to many schools and support to teachers. I have been working with schools through the Jane Goodall Institute at USC as an outreach educator with the Roots and Shoots program.
I would like to continue my work in schools and in the community.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
I began my education planning career in Social Work as well as teaching. I worked as a social worker during my undergraduate studies and realized that it did not give me the creative freedom of being a teacher. Working with children gave me a definite direction and connection. Teaching and learning are both powerful tools for both the students and teachers.
Prior work history
Please list your most recent jobs prior to this current job:
| Title | Length | Salary | Description | |
| Prior Job 1 | Resource Specialist, teacher | 24 years | 60000 | Teacher and resource specialist with high school students grades 9th-12th. Developed individualized educational programs for students with special needs; writing their goals, objectives, and benchmarks throughout the year.Created programs, wrote grants, and participated in a variety of extra curricular programs with the students. |
| Prior Job 2 | Green Dot Public Schools | 2 years | 36000 | Same as above position. Taught more science subjects and developed a science team/program. I worked as a resource specialist, developing individualized educational programs for the special needs students. |
Educational background
Please list your educational background:
High School GPA:3.4
| GPA | School | Degree | |
| College (Undergraduate) or Technical/Vocational |
3.6 | California State University, San Jose | Sociology, Special Education |
| Graduate or Professional (Masters or Doctorate) |
3.8 | California State University, Northridge | Education |
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