Forgotpassword0879

That was probably my biggest shock when I started teaching. I planned to begin a unit on measurements to teach rule reading, but found out kids were totally ignorant about fractions. Simplifying took a week to teach for some kids. So I would spend weeks to get kids prepared to teach whats actually on my curriculum. Same for understanding decimals, metric, etc.

We do A LOT of math training that I believe should be taught before they make it to my class as freshmen.

I've worked in both offices (metallurgical testing and software sales) and a few shops, I think the biggest thing that I have noticed is abrasiveness. Most (definitely not all) people who go into skilled trades are interested in showing up, working on their machine, and going home. Therefore they aren't usually too interested in politics or socializing, therefore can come off as abrasive or rude. In an office, people seem more pleasant, but I feel there is often an undertone of passive aggressiveness when people are bothered. I prefer the "say what you mean" method, but it does take a thick skin.

I don't think any of them are naturally useless. In a class of 20, I usually have 8 that will pursue it as a career, 4 that are genuinely interested but have plans for other things (sports, medical school, etc), 6 that are there because it just seems like a fun class, and 2 that aren't sure how they ended up there. I'm a pretty laid back teacher, but I treat my class as a job. I have high expectations, but am flexible with students who need different ways to learn and demonstrate. Cell phones are a safety issue, and therefore are a no-go, just as they would be in many shops. If I see it, I don't take it, I don't give warnings, I just send them out.

I mentioned in another reply, our school has gotten setup under the “academies of Louisville” model. This means each school has smaller academies in them that are focused around their career pathway. So when my students leave my class to go to math, they will be in there with other machine tools kids, therefore lessons can be tailored to fit with what we are doing in shop. All about enforcing critical thinking with project based learning by tackling real world problems. (Is that enough buzzwords?)

I'm surface-level familiar with many, but intametely familiar with Manufacturing. In my area (Louisville, KY), the housing market is pretty good for an urban area. You can purchase a "family sized" house for $150k-$200k (maybe a little more depending on area). And I'm talking brick with basement, nice lot size, garage, etc.

Most of my students upon graduation are earning between $11-$15, with many of them being in the low to mid $20's after 4-5 years (with zero college debt). CNC Programmer and Journeyman Machinists can earn from $26-$34/hr here (again, zero college debt). Moving into more of an advanced manufacturing technical role can earn closer to the $28-$38/hr spot with a 2 year degree, and of course having a background in machining looks great on the application of someone with a mechanical engineering degree.

As for other trades, many people in this area serve apprenticeships in carpentry, plumbing, electric, sheet metal work, and HVAC and can easily push over the $20/hr range in 2-5 years.