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Teacher Career Interview
Carole Hoste is a music teacher working in Michigan. She earned her music education degree in 2006 and loves her job.
Teacher Career Path
Carole’s interest in education started at a young age.
“My mother is a teacher, so I subconsciously had that influence, hearing her talk about work and checking papers when she came home,” she says. “I really decided I wanted to be a teacher in 9th grade. My high school band teacher was my mentor at the time, and I just always looked at him and thought how he had the coolest job in the world.”
Experiences of a Teacher
Carole received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Central Michigan University.
“After graduation I was hired at Cherry Hill School of Performing Arts, a K-12 charter school in Inkster, MI,” she explains. “Cherry Hill was an urban school with a large population of students considered ‘at-risk’, aka performing below their grade level. I taught there for 2 years before the school was closed down.”
Carole continues, “Then I worked for 2 years teaching elementary music between 5 different Catholic elementary schools in the city of Detroit. Unfortunately due to cuts to the arts, my position was eliminated from these schools, so I am currently interviewing to find a new position for the coming fall.”
Education Degree Programs
Although the guidelines vary slightly from state to state, all teachers need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in their subject area.
“In Michigan, where I live and teach,” says Carole, “all teachers must possess a bachelor’s degree in education with a specialty in their subject area. In states with a high need of teachers, they may allow you to complete an accelerated education program provided by the state, provided you have a bachelor’s degree of some sort.”
Teacher Job Description
“At its simplest, my job description is to create and implement lesson plans delivering music curriculum in accordance with the Michigan state educational standards,” Carole explains.
“Additionally, I am expected to maintain a peaceful classroom environment, keep detailed records of grades and progress, assist with general school activities, participate in school committees, and, as the music teacher, present concerts twice a year and provide music for graduation and other school ceremonies.”
Teacher Daily Routine
The day of a teacher can bring many surprises, but they usually start out the same way for Carole.
“A normal day involves arriving to school about 30-45 minutes before the start of classes,” she says. “This time is used to do whatever I need to do to be ready for the kids. The school day is 8:00 a.m. – 3:15. I teach 4 classes in the morning, with a 5 minute passing time in between each, followed by lunch and a 50 minute prep hour (during which I work on lesson plans, clean/organize my room, make phone calls to parents if needed, etc) before 3 more classes.”
Carole continues, “At 3:15 when students are dismissed, I lock my room and head to the parking lot for bus duty, where I am assigned to check in students for one of the busses to make sure all the kids who need to go home on there are accounted for. that, I head inside for a quick daily staff meeting, finish up any last minute odds and ends in my classroom to prepare for the next day, and head home around 4:15.”
Although Carole’s days follow a pattern, she doesn’t get to call it quits once her day is done.
She says, “Often times my evening hours are spent doing paper or computer work related to my classes. Throughout the year, attendance at school games, parent/teacher conferences, and other evening events are required as well.”
Teaching: Steps to Success
“You need: a solid knowledge and passion for your subject area; a lot for working with young people; willingness to work together with colleagues for the greater good of the school and its students,” Carole advises.
She adds, “And above all else, flexibility – when your job involves working with a group of 20-30 kids, plans can and do change at a moment’s notice.”
Teacher Job Market
Don’t focus on the negative associations with the field of teaching; if you have the passion, you should go in full force.
“It is not so difficult to be accepted into teacher education programs and earn your education degree,” Carole explains. “I would dare say that the state certification tests are very doable, as long as you have done your studying. Landing a job can be the tricky part. You must remain positive and be open to teaching in a school or situation that is not necessarily your ideal position.”
Favorite Part about a Teaching Career
Carole loves the variety her job brings in teaching music to dozens of children.
“There is something new every day – never a dull moment!” she says.
A Teacher’s Future Ambitions
“I hope that people – the public, as well as federal/state/local politicians – really come to hold education to a higher value,” says Carole. “Once this happens, we will all be much more careful to prioritize funds and efforts to go towards the best interest of students, not the best interest of the government’s pocketbook.”
She continues, “But until that happens, I hope that the current teachers, as well as newly graduating education students, will continue to focus on why we entered this profession – to keep our optimism and enthusiasm for teaching and be at peace with the knowledge that, whatever is going on around us, our work is indeed impactful.”
Advice for Prospective Teachers
“There are jobs out there, if you open yourself up to the idea that any experience is good experience, and know that your teaching will be of value anyplace that there are kids looking to learn,” Carole advises.
“Be open to working at a charter school, teaching the subject area from your minor rather than your major or maybe working with a grade level that isn’t your ideal. You’ll be surprised how your preferences may change as you let yourself experience new things.”
Carole adds, “A quote that I read daily – ‘It is important to know you are planting seeds, even if you don’t see them bloom’ –(unknown).”
