Deck 1: Why Teach

Question 1

During Noam's twelve years of teaching, he has coached an award-winning chemistry team, successfully taught advanced placement chemistry, chaperoned numerous overnight camping trips, coached the girls' volleyball team, and worked as a class advisor. In his career, Noam is probably most rewarded by

A) his actual work with adolescents.
B) the prestige of being a chemistry teacher.
C) the power he has over the lives of so many.
D) his salary and stipends earned as a coach and advisor.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Juan, a talented young artist, has already had some of his watercolors displayed at showings. In addition to painting, he also enjoys teaching young children how to paint. He feels strongly that art should be part of every child's education. If Juan decides to become an art teacher, which of the following extrinsic rewards will he most certainly experience?

A) The status and recognition of being an accomplished teacher
B) A generous work schedule, providing him time to paint
C) A secure and high salary
D) The sense of power that he will be able to change curriculum

Answer 2

B

Question 3

In the text, Fred repeatedly asks for "low-achieving" classes in history because he has a strong commitment to helping those students become involved, reflective citizens. He fervently believes that preparing those students to become participating citizens is vital for the renewal of society. In the teaching field you are considering, what could you do in your classes to enhance students' abilities in active citizenship? How does that relate to the renewal of society?

Answer 3

Suggested Answer: Answers will vary, but ideas should clearly demonstrate how a teaching strategy or activity helps enhance students' critical thinking. Also, educating students to become active, reflective citizens aids in the renewal of society, because participating citizens are fundamental for the maintenance of a democracy. Active citizens can successfully work toward the improvement of society.

Question 4

Of the following extrinsic rewards, which is most closely associated with teaching?

A) A competitive salary
B) High status and prestige
C) Power over one's subordinates and associates
D) A work schedule allowing generous time for oneself

Question 5

Intrinsic rewards in teaching include which of the following?

A) The close work with young people, the actual teaching, and the power
B) Performing a significant social service and the flexible work schedule
C) The salary, the actual teaching, and the status
D) The actual teaching and satisfaction from the performance of an important social service

Question 6

Denise, a sales representative, is considering a career switch to become a teacher. She is bright and outgoing and likes the high pay she has earned in sales. Yet she has felt drawn to teaching because of the positive contribution she could make to students' lives. If she makes the career switch, which reward is Denise least likely to experience in teaching?

A) A lively intellectual atmosphere with colleagues and students
B) A work schedule offering generous personal time
C) The satisfaction of contributing positively to others' lives
D) A salary that rivals other professional salaries

Question 7

A person who enters teaching because of an overwhelming love of a certain subject matter (e.g., art, history. must guard against

A) impatience with students who don't share that passion.
B) arrogance for knowing more than his or her students.
C) choosing teaching for the wrong reason.
D) T here is nothing this person should guard against.

Question 8

Perhaps the best, most direct way to find out if you will enjoy the realities of teaching is to

A) get frequent, long-term baby-sitting jobs.
B) seek the services of a career placement counselor, who can then direct you.
C) volunteer several hours a week at a school or supervise extracurricular activities.
D) study the teachers' benefits and salaries where you would like to teach.

Question 9

In most respects, teaching ranks rather low in all extrinsic rewards except for one. Name this extrinsic reward exception and describe how teachers may consider it a benefit.

Question 10

Cleo, an earth science teacher, spends considerable time working with her students on environmental projects that demand their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Most recently, they have been working on a project exploring groundwater contamination and its effects on the environment. Cleo most likely sees the purpose of her teaching as a means of

A) aiding in the renewal of society.
B) preparing her students for the expectations of college.
C) gaining recognition for her innovative teaching methods.
D) helping students memorize important facts in science.

Question 11

Tina suffered a vicious assault when she was a college senior and still feels the aftereffects. Now, several years later, she actively organizes rape awareness seminars for her high school students. During a recent class discussion about date rape, one student raised the possibility that people can be, at times, wrongfully accused. Tina barely contained her anger and dismissed the student's comment immediately. What does this scenario suggest?

A) Tina's effectiveness as a teacher may be diminished because of her unresolved personal problems.
B) Tina must continue to work to raise students' awareness levels.
C) Tina must include more material in her curriculum about violence in contemporary society.
D) Tina needs to improve her classroom management skills.

Question 12

According to Ryan and Cooper, the question "Why teach?" is important because our answer is a good indicator of

A) what kind of institution is best for our training.
B) what subjects we will teach.
C) what we will accomplish as teachers.
D) whether we will be effective teachers.

Question 13

One of the most effective ways teachers can aid in the renewal of society is to

A) pick a service project for their classes and require that all students participate.
B) work on political campaigns with fellow teachers.
C) enthusiastically teach their favorite subjects.
D) teach students to become involved and informed citizens.

Question 14

Telly, the president of the senior class at State U., thinks he would enjoy teaching civics because he finds politics fascinating and has always taken a prominent role in student-government. If Telly decides to become a teacher, which of Telly's interests would least likely be satisfied in a teaching career?

A) His pleasure in working with other people
B) The opportunity to learn more about history and civics
C) His attraction to status
D) The opportunity to help create change in people's lives

Question 15

Which of the following is the best indicator that you will be satisfied teaching?

A) Listening to your parents, friends, and others who know you well communicate that teaching would be a good career for you
B) Being attracted to performing an important social service
C) Knowing that children usually like you very much
D) Enjoying the power and influence you can have upon others

Question 16

After reading several novels about teaching, Jameel has become fascinated with teaching as a career. According to Ryan and Cooper, what else would be a fruitful way to help him decide if teaching is the right career for him?

A) To work in a variety of part-time jobs to see if teaching is still appealing
B) To get advice from his former teachers about the realities of teaching
C) To take a career preference test
D) To read some more novels and watch movies about teaching

Question 17

In one of the short narratives in the text, Julia recognized that her deep interest in science was both an advantage and a disadvantage. Describe at least one advantage and one disadvantage of teachers' deep commitment to their subject area as well as how Julia could change her instruction to solve her problems.

Question 18

Many would argue that the rewards of a task are what propel people to become actively engaged in their work. Rewards, both intrinsic and extrinsic, reside in all occupations to some degree. What are the extrinsic rewards of an occupation, and to what degree would you claim that teaching supplies those extrinsic rewards? What are the intrinsic rewards associated with teaching? Identify and explain them.

Question 19

One way of deciding if a teaching career is for you is through vicarious experience. Although very helpful, vicarious experiences also have limitations. Name and explain the strengths and limitations of using vicarious experiences in your decision to become a teacher.

Question 20

Tai is a college sophomore with numerous interests. Public service has always appealed to her, yet she is not sure if teaching will be the most satisfying career. Which of the following would be the best indicators that Tai would find satisfaction in teaching?

A) She feels a strong desire to contribute to society and wants a secure salary.
B) She wants recognition for her work, and she enjoys working with people.
C) She enjoys intellectual stimulation and wants to perform a service to society.
D) She wants to work with others and desires a work schedule with ample personal time.

Question 21

Which of the motives (three or four) described in this chapter come closest to your thoughts about a career in teaching? Thinking about these motives, what does this tell you about yourself?

Question 22

For someone attracted to teaching, what are some useful sources of experience to help in the career choice? Analyze three types of useful experience, explaining the benefits of each.