Christina, Science Teacher at Education for Change: Advize Career Interview
A career path initially focused on medicine unexpectedly led to a fulfilling career in science education.
Early experiences in a psychology lab, volunteering, and working with international students provided valuable skills, but financial constraints opened an opportunity with Teach for America, revealing a passion for teaching.
Now a Science Teacher at Education for Change, this individual's daily routine involves lesson planning, teaching seventh and eighth graders, and mentoring students.
Empathy and strong organizational skills are key to success in this demanding yet rewarding role, where the most significant challenge is balancing workload with compensation.
The greatest joy comes from witnessing student growth and development, making a profound impact on many students each year.
This career path emphasizes the importance of being a trusted adult, setting high expectations, and finding joy in small victories.
Undergraduate experiences—even those not directly related to education—can offer valuable transferable skills, like goal-setting and mentorship.
A significant lesson learned is the value of reciprocal learning, recognizing students' potential and treating them as valuable individuals. This is a career that offers a chance to make a real difference in young lives.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Christina Craig
Science Teacher
Education for Change
UC Davis 2015
Loyola Marymount University - Masters in Urban Education
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Psychology
Education
Education
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A Science Teacher At Education For Change
Christina's career path was initially focused on medicine, with undergraduate experiences including "a psychology lab," volunteering, and working with international students—all intended to prepare for medical school. However, financial constraints led to a Teach for America opportunity, which unexpectedly revealed a passion for teaching, resulting in a career change and continued work as a teacher.
Main Responsibilities of a Science Teacher at Education for Change
Christina's main responsibilities at Education for Change include the typical duties of a science teacher—lesson planning and classroom management—but emphasizes a deeper commitment to being "a trusted adult" for students, ensuring a safe and supportive environment where they feel "seen and heard" and can receive guidance on academic, personal, and future goals. This role involves connecting students with necessary resources to achieve their unique definition of success.
A Day In The Life Of A Science Teacher At Education For Change
Christina's day as a science teacher begins around 7:30 AM, involving lesson preparation, teaching seventh and eighth graders in hour-long blocks, interspersed with a lunch break, prep time often dedicated to meetings or collaborating with a student teacher, and a final teaching block ending at 3:15 PM. After school, the day extends with extracurricular commitments like coaching or musical rehearsals, followed by evening grading and lesson planning, reflecting a demanding but fulfilling career path.
Most Important Skills for a Science Teacher at Education for Change
For a science teacher, organizational skills and time management are crucial for navigating "a lot" of responsibilities and avoiding burnout. Christina emphasizes empathy as the most important skill, noting that maintaining this skill, along with setting boundaries, is vital for teacher retention and preventing "losing their patience" with students.
Favorite Parts of Being a Science Teacher at Education for Change
Christina, a Science Teacher at Education for Change, finds the most rewarding aspect of her role to be "the kiddos," describing the profound impact of witnessing their growth and development during the middle school years. The joy and intelligence that her students bring to the classroom are central to her passion for teaching.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Science Teacher At Education For Change
Christina's biggest challenge as a science teacher is the "imbalance of the amount of work and the amount of compensation," forcing creative solutions to meet student needs with insufficient funding and resources, impacting work-life balance. The demanding workload, coupled with inadequate pay, creates significant frustration despite the inherent joy found in the profession.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Education Industry As A Science Teacher
Christina, a science teacher with eight years of experience, finds the most rewarding aspect of her career to be "the potential impact" she has on the "many many students" she teaches each year. This impact manifests in moments like students expressing interest in STEM careers or confiding in her about personal challenges, making Christina's work deeply meaningful and fulfilling.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Education Industry According To A Science Teacher At Education For Change
Success in the science teaching profession hinges on the ability to "find joy in the little things," such as a student's academic progress, and effectively manage time, prioritizing tasks to minimize work-life conflict; this allows educators to be present for their families while still accomplishing necessary tasks.
What A Science Teacher At Education For Change Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Education
Christina, a science teacher, learned that successful educators prioritize being "a trusted adult" over being "a friend" to students, a lesson learned through initial struggles with establishing classroom expectations. The most impactful takeaway was that holding students to high expectations, even if met with initial frustration, ultimately fosters growth and leads to future gratitude— "they'll come and visit you and they'll be like You knew what was up?"
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Science Teachers
Christina, a Science Teacher at Education for Change, suggests that undergraduate students seeking entry-level positions should consider experiences beyond traditional classroom volunteering, such as tutoring or working as a tour guide. These roles, as Christina explains from her own experience, unexpectedly provided valuable skills like "helping people set goals and helping them reach those goals," directly transferable to the demands of teaching and working with students.
Significant Career Lesson From a Science Teacher at Education for Change
Christina, a Science Teacher at Education for Change, learned that "students...are certainly not less than" adults, emphasizing the importance of reciprocal learning regardless of age or background. This crucial lesson, solidified throughout Christina's career, highlights the value of listening and learning from everyone, regardless of their age or experience.
College Experiences That Helped A Science Teacher At Education For Change Succeed
Christina's undergraduate experience, while not initially geared toward teaching, unexpectedly equipped her with crucial skills for her current role at Education for Change. The independence and autonomy developed while navigating college as the first in their family to attend, "grinding through college to make it out the other end," directly translates to supporting students from similar backgrounds, empowering them to pursue their own goals.
Advizer Personal Links
No