Expert: Debba Robinson - 1/14/2005

Question
Good afternoon! My name is Brooke and I am in 8th grade in a school in Michigan. I would like to be a teacher one day. In one of my classes we are studying careers.  Could you answer the following? Would you suggest any classes that I should take in high school? Should I have any extra classes in collage either? Thank you very much for you time, you can email me at lvolz@casscity.k12.mi.us.  

Answer
Dear Brooke,

I hope I can give you some helpful information.  A lot of what you might take depends on what grade level you want to teach.  If you plan to teach middle or high school English - then I would take all the English courses I can find - AP, if possible.  If you are IN to sciences and maths - then load your schedule with those classes.  

If you are going to teach elementary, I strongly suggest you get into any classes the have anything to do with kids ... PE, Art, babysitting certification (so you can get LOTS of experience as a babysitter outside of school), and literature classes.  

The college or university you choose will certainly have people there to help you plan your schedule.  But, you sound a lot like I was .... I KNEW I wanted to become a teacher.  So, aside from the classes I took, I did everything in my power to involve myself with children.  Aside from babysitting, you can help out in church Sunday School or daycare, volunteer in summer programs if you aren't old enough to get a job (like day camps or playground supervision), visit your former elementary teachers (always fun to pick your favorite and ask if you can follow him/her around and observe the class).  I did that with my former 3rd grade teacher.  When I was still in high school she let me teach some lessons!  What a kick.  I was scared to death but I was so glad I did it.

I'm sorry I can't e-mail you directly.  I hope you get this without any problems.  Feel free to write again if you want more clarification.

Debba