Take the self-assessment quiz below to determine whether or not you’re a sound candidate for educational leadership in the classroom. — Career Readiness is very important.
In education, there are issues regarding faculty, administration and the politics of public education. With this in mind, potential educators often question their choice of a teaching career. Doubters should consider conducting a self-evaluation when deciding whether they’re prepared to start teaching.
A college degree alone does not mean a future educator is ready to teach. One thing is certain, as any experienced educator would tell a new teacher looking for a job: Studying theory in a college classroom is much different from teaching students. The turnover rate for teachers in the United States has risen over the past 20 years. My experience as a college educator leads me to believe the lack of practical experience is the main cause of teacher attrition.
Below is a self-assessment rubric for potential teachers who are planning on a long and successful career in education. If your answers are on the lower end of the scale, you may want to reconsider your career path. If your answers lie somewhere in the middle of the scale, you may want to consider educational work in which you deal indirectly with students. And if you score mostly 4s and 5s, you may be a sound candidate for educational leadership in the classroom.
For each statement, choose an answer of 1 to 5, where 5 is “I strongly agree” and 1 is “I strongly disagree.”
I am very passionate about working and learning in a diverse environment (e.g., an environment with diversity in race, religion, special needs).
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
I am prepared to work extensively outside of my normal work hours to create a high-quality learning environment for my students.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
I work well with people, even when our ideas differ.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
I am able to adjust my creativity to suit the pedagogical criteria set by my superiors.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
I am enthusiastic about technology.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
I am comfortable being critiqued.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
I am prepared to be a teacher, social worker and manager all at once.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Because of my commitment to education, I am willing to do a job for which I may feel undercompensated.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Enthusiasm, clarity, empathy and respect for students can make or break your teaching career. Comprehension is also a key ingredient — you should be able to differentiate the details from the big picture of teaching.
