Expert: Bonnie Shimmin - 5/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am wanting to enroll in a program at the university that I want to transfer to that will lead to two degrees - a B.Ed in Foreign Language Education and an A.B in French. The admission page lists the following criteria for those who are interested in the program:

Submission of a resume that documents experiences working with young people; work experience that is relevant to a career in teaching; experience related to foreign language study and teaching; special skills and abilities relevant for a career in teaching foreign languages; three references


Now, I'd basically like to know how I can get experience working with young people or experience in teaching. I am currently enrolled in a community college and will need to be able to get this experience before I can transfer. How does one get this experience without having the degree? It's sort of a chicken-egg scenario. My native language is English and I speak French fluently, so I'm not worried about the foreign language experience part, just the teaching and working with young people.

ANSWER: Dear Stephen,

This is a very good question and one that I've heard many times.  In order to get a job, one must have experience, and in order to get experience, one must have a job.  In fact, the key word is experience, not job.  All of the teachers I've hired have had differing kinds of experience, almost none of it paid work.  They've volunteered at local public (if you're American; if you're British, I guess that means state) schools.  Often they've taught Sunday School to appropriate grade levels or tutored after school.  The latter job was often a paid position that required minimal educational background - usually two years of college.  You can learn so much from these kinds of experiences and it's a good way to see if you indeed, find teaching enjoyable and fulfilling.

Now, how to find these positions.  If you just want volunteer work, go to a school and tell them you have some extra time and a desire to help young people.  Be prepared for a background check, not because they don't trust you, but because they shouldn't automatically trust anyone.  All people who work around children should be vetted, so don't take it personally.  Most schools really need extra help and so eventually you should be able to fit in.  Tutoring jobs can be had by checking in the student center of any university.  The local Salvation Army might provide after school tutoring; the one near my last school did.  Also, city parks and recreation programs often need people to help with after school programs.  As you can see, there are many possibilities out there - it's just that most of them are pro bono.

Good Luck,
Bonnie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the excellent answer! I'm American and have just a quick follow-up question. Who would be the correct person to speak to in regard to something like this in a public school administration body? The principle?

Answer
Dear Stephen,

You probably won't get to see the principal right away, due to the incredible time constraints that most principals have.  You will probably speak to the Office Manager or Clerk.  That person might direct you to an after school coordinator or director of volunteers or Assistant Principal, depending upon how large the school is.  I've worked in schools with a thousand kids and schools with five or six hundred and there are always people who take care of volunteers.  Tell your contact what you want to do and why.  Most schools deal with prospective teachers who need experience.  If you are in a large school district, there may be a district person who is in charge of volunteers.  It that is so, the first school should let you know about that.  If the school employee ignores or rejects you, ask that person who in the district might be helpful to your quest.  

Hope this helps,
Bonnie