A Newsworthy Career in Education
by Vicki Salemi
When Steve Chiger graduated with an English degree from Lafayette College (Easton, PA) in May 2001, he knew he wanted to be a journalist. He then went to Medill Journalism School at Northwestern University in Chicago, and earned his degree in new media journalism. Fast forward three years and he's a high school English teacher advising a journalism program.
It's not uncommon for students to graduate from college, have one career path in mind, and then follow their hearts into another career like Chiger did. For him, it wasn't until he had worked on various journalism beats that he decided to become a teacher. Today he works as an instructor for the University Academy Charter High School (Jersey City, NJ).
Here's the Deal
One of Chiger's first steps towards becoming a teacher was receiving a Certificate of Eligibility, which basically qualifies him to look for teaching jobs in New Jersey. (If he went to grad school for teaching, he would have received a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing.) He then enrolled in classes that would eventually reward him with a teaching certificate and full licensure.
During his first year on the job, Chiger was able to combine teaching with his love of journalism by launching a school newspaper, The Student Voice.
"There are so many rewarding things about teaching that it's hard to pick a single best thing," says Chiger. "I love working with the students, I love being surrounded by people all day, and I love the feeling that I might have been able to help someone make a little sense out of the world."
Teachers Have Homework
"Anyone who tells you teaching is an easy job hasn't done their homework," says Chiger. "You're always wearing multiple hats: teacher, counselor, confidant, advisor. And, the work you don't do at school gets brought home."
In fact, Chiger really sinks his teeth into his job by constantly thinking about his students and trying to come up with interesting lesson plans. "As a teacher, you have to balance the expectations of students, parents, principals, and your peers," he explains. "But ultimately, you can lay your head on the pillow every night knowing you've done some good in the world."
It's not uncommon for students to graduate from college, have one career path in mind, and then follow their hearts into another career like Chiger did. For him, it wasn't until he had worked on various journalism beats that he decided to become a teacher. Today he works as an instructor for the University Academy Charter High School (Jersey City, NJ).
Here's the Deal
One of Chiger's first steps towards becoming a teacher was receiving a Certificate of Eligibility, which basically qualifies him to look for teaching jobs in New Jersey. (If he went to grad school for teaching, he would have received a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing.) He then enrolled in classes that would eventually reward him with a teaching certificate and full licensure.
During his first year on the job, Chiger was able to combine teaching with his love of journalism by launching a school newspaper, The Student Voice.
"There are so many rewarding things about teaching that it's hard to pick a single best thing," says Chiger. "I love working with the students, I love being surrounded by people all day, and I love the feeling that I might have been able to help someone make a little sense out of the world."
Teachers Have Homework
"Anyone who tells you teaching is an easy job hasn't done their homework," says Chiger. "You're always wearing multiple hats: teacher, counselor, confidant, advisor. And, the work you don't do at school gets brought home."
In fact, Chiger really sinks his teeth into his job by constantly thinking about his students and trying to come up with interesting lesson plans. "As a teacher, you have to balance the expectations of students, parents, principals, and your peers," he explains. "But ultimately, you can lay your head on the pillow every night knowing you've done some good in the world."
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