Hi: I’m Toni Wheeler, a native of Charlotte (I still live there) and I teach 5th grade in Gaston County. I’ve been teaching for six years, and the last four of those years have been in Gaston County and the first two were in a Charter school in Charlotte. Now I know you’re thinking Charlotte, isn’t that close to Gaston County…But it’s only a 35 to 45 minute drive, and the way I see it getting around anywhere in Charlotte may take that long. So, I don’t mind the drive.
I’ve always wanted to teach but when I graduated from high school and went to college, everyone said, “Teachers don’t make any money”. Well after completing undergraduate in 1986, attending Pfieffer University and receiving a dual MBA/MHA in 1991…my job as a HR manager was eliminated, the company moved to Germany. So I was what they called a ‘displaced employee’. This was my opportunity to go back to school and get my teaching degree…So I did. Now I’m in Appalachians Graduate Program…loving it and learning a lot.
All the ideals, strategies, information, and the innovate approaches I’ve learned so far at Appalachian I’ve been able to apply in my classroom. My students are pleased when I tell them that I read this book and this is the exercise/activity we did in class. They enjoy it when I demonstrate what I’ve learned in my classroom as a student and introduce, and teach it to them in our classroom as a teacher. I feel that I’m blessed to be a teacher to be able to touch, affect, and reach out to so many children in a positive way. In the six years I’ve been teaching I’ve never looked back nor regretted the money I once made in corporate. [But now we all know that the money in corporate is drying up!] I love what I do with and for my students and I’m in it to stay! Toni B. Wheeler
Comments (1)
Toni,
This is a late entry butI too started my teaching career later in life than most. I was a waitress at a fine dining establishment for years before I decided to go to Lenoir Rhyne and get my BA in Education. I graduated with 172 semester hours. I couldn;t decide when I was younger exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to teach but like you said the income is not great, the parents can be hard to deal with, students are coming in on so many different levels you wonder how in the world am I supposed to do this. My first year teaching, classroom management was wonderful. It took me about 4 weeks to establish do's and don'ts and consequences of their actions. Sometimes I feel that I am no more than a paid sitter. But after you see the growth taking place before your eyes, you know you have made the right decision. I love teaching and I love young children of all ages. Sure I made more money waiting tables in the long run, but I have never had such a rewarding job nor felt the impact I have on our future leaders.
Robin Hand
Posted by Robin Hand | July 3, 2009 1:18 AM
Posted on July 3, 2009 01:18