Waaaaay OT: I Need Opinions

[lemonmang5]

Ok, I normally don't get into my personal life on this board, but I was hoping for some opinions, because I'm pretty discouraged right now. You guys will probably think it dumb of me to ask a question like this.

Today, I went to the university I attend to be evaluated on my hearing and speaking as I am majoring in history/education. The problem is that I've suffered with my speech my entire life (I speak too fast) and the people at the school easily caught it (even though I thought I did well), and told me I'd have to take speech therapy before I begin my student teaching. So my question is, would something like this be evaluated by someone who was looking to hire a teacher? Would they even look at my transcript in depth like that? My boss is insistant that it won't hurt me, and the person will most likely just evaluate my speech from the interview. I'm thinking of just calling it quits on college at this point even though I only have 1 more year left. I can't believe that something like is going to keep me from doing what I want, even though I have a 4.0 GPA (most people have no problems passing this from what I've heard). :(

[Masked Moron]

I have no idea how in depth they look at your history....


But if you go to speech therapy and correct the problem, I can't see how it would matter in the future, since the problem would be fixed.

I'm sure there's lots of teachers who stuttered in their youth but got over it.....

[randysgut]

i had my first day at my Electrical Training course today and my teacher talked really fast and had a very bubbly personality. Doesnt this make a teacher stand out as a more likely candidate?

[shawnspookcity]

Why would an employer look at you correcting a potential weakness as a negative?!?!? You have nothing to worry about.

[lemonmang5]

Yes, but the whole point is that if they saw that I had a problem, then they would have no problem passing me up and going to the next guy. Or would they not care about the class and evaluate me based on the interview?

[McCheif]

Why would an employer look at you correcting a potential weakness as a negative?!?!? You have nothing to worry about.

agreed

Also, if you get a job, Speech Therapy COULD be included in your health inusrance. I know a few speech therapists, and it is probably something you could fix on your own with practice and determination.

Good luck. God knows we need some great new teachers out there, and I hope you have great success.

[Diab0lus]

If I were to interview you for a job that requires a lot of verbal presentation and I thought you spoke to fast, that would definitely cause me to reconsider. It just depends how fast you really talk.

[mikedanger]

i would think that your con pics as you dressed up as cobra commander would be far more damaging when applying for a job. :p

[CustomCreator]

If you talk like the guy on the MicroMachines commercials, then yea, I would hire the next guy....

Think about how it might affect your future students if they can't take notes fast enough because you talk too fast.

If you are really doing the teaching thing for the right reasons(to educate our poorly under educated kids) then you would want to improve yourself to make sure they are getting the proper teaching.

Besides, can't you do speech therapy while you go to school?

As far as quitting, I'm sorry, but don't be an idiot. You are going to quit with one year left and a 4.0 GPA??? That, my friend, is dumb. Take it from a 33 year old stuck selling appliances instead of doing what he really loves............

It can only help your cause to better yourself, because even if your employer won't catch it, your students may, and enough complaints will get you back at square one.....

You don't want to be the teacher everyone hates, you want to be the teacher everyone respects...

[Spawnomite]

I have no idea how in depth they look at your history....


But if you go to speech therapy and correct the problem, I can't see how it would matter in the future, since the problem would be fixed.
What he said.

[Matches Malone]

lemonmang5, DO NOT DROP OUT, especially with only one more year to go. It sounds like you have a great academic record, don't let the opinion of one teacher decide your fate.

There are huge disadvantages to dropping out of college. One, if you decide to come back to complete your degree, you'll find it incredibly difficult to come back, readjusting to college life. The longer you're out of school, the harder it is to come back. Two, with the rate of tuition increasing nearly year-after-year, you may find it financially difficult to come back. I urge you to stick-it out and get your degree while you already have momentum on your side.

Regarding your question about getting a job in "the real world," I know plenty of teachers (some who are close friends of mine) that aren't even credited in the subjects they teach. I guarantee you, this will not have any impact on you securing a job as an educator.

Take their advice with a grain of salt. No teacher will ever tell you that you're perfect. If anything, their suggestion is just a way to help you, so you should consider it. By no means should you quit due to someone's opinion.

[Durstlimpbizkit]

Dropping out with your grades is foolish.

Stay with it. You've come this far, and sometimes things work themselves out, I was a terrible speaker as a freshman and now I don't have any problems with it.

[Liquid Identity]

Having a degree is a huge benefit to your future. You obviously have no problems with education or the subject matter, so stick with it. Finish that last year and earn what you have worked hard for.
Personally, I dropped out of college in my third year, and it remains one of my biggest regrets in life.

I wouldn't worry too much about any transcript notes about your speech pattern. People grow, learn and better themselves. Based on your academics and a strong resume, you should get interviews. Let them judge you in person from there.

If you really do talk fast enough that it inhibits a students ability to clearly understand you... and thus learn from you... take a serious look at speech therapy. You may be able to claim it all as a tax writeoff (career advancement training), or have it covered under a health insurance program as mentioned.

/opinion

[ralph427]

The interviewer will evaluate you on your paper resume and your interviewing skills. Don't give up. Go to speech therapy and improve the way you communicate. You worked so hard to get to this point, a little more hard work to finalize your delivery should be the easy part. :)

[Trance Viper]

Meh. First bump in the road.

The hard part is maintaining a 4.0 and you've accomplished that.

KEEP GOING! You didn't come this far and pay this much #(*ing money just to let them shut you down now.

FORGET THAT!!!!

Keep up the good fight! :)

[tatoman2525]

Dude, stop typing so fast!!!



On the serious tip, though. Quitting at this point after as far as you've gotten (with a 4.0 average) is perhaps the dumbest decision you will make. Listen to your boss. He may actually know what he's talking about:D

[The_Arbiter]

Dont quit when your doing so well, I think your boss is right. And I have speaking problems too, its very common, it shouldn't make a difference with your grades :)

[Shapey]

What is your degree? You don't HAVE to be a teacher. My degree is Math with Teacher Certification but that doesn't mean I have to be a teacher. I could do other things.

DON"T drop out!! One more year is not that long.

[Kabong30]

Ok, I normally don't get into my personal life on this board, but I was hoping for some opinions, because I'm pretty discouraged right now. You guys will probably think it dumb of me to ask a question like this.

Today, I went to the university I attend to be evaluated on my hearing and speaking as I am majoring in history/education. The problem is that I've suffered with my speech my entire life (I speak too fast) and the people at the school easily caught it (even though I thought I did well), and told me I'd have to take speech therapy before I begin my student teaching. So my question is, would something like this be evaluated by someone who was looking to hire a teacher? Would they even look at my transcript in depth like that? My boss is insistant that it won't hurt me, and the person will most likely just evaluate my speech from the interview. I'm thinking of just calling it quits on college at this point even though I only have 1 more year left. I can't believe that something like is going to keep me from doing what I want, even though I have a 4.0 GPA (most people have no problems passing this from what I've heard). :(

This is a relatively small hurdle. The people who told you to get the therapy are only trying to help you. Anyone who is as apparently sharp as you are (4.0 GPA?!?!) owes it to themselves to be as prepared as possible for your chosen career and if you plan to teach then you need to be able to communicate as clearly as possible.

[Avatar_of_Chaos]

I would like to point out a few things...

1) You can't be sure in an interview that the interviewer will be evaluating you based on your speech or not. However, even if they do, you can't be sure that it will count against you.

2) Speech therapy is common.

3) Overcoming a speech issue is something that you can highlight during an interview if given the opportunity as a significant step that you've taken to improve yourself. You don't want to present it as a negative, you present it as an opportunity you had to make a meaningful, successful improvement and as a testament to your dedication and passion for what you want to do. It also can provide you a context for empathy with students who may also have speech issues themselves and be a very beneficial experience.

[Kabong30]

I would like to point out a few things...

1) You can't be sure in an interview that the interviewer will be evaluating you based on your speech or not. However, even if they do, you can't be sure that it will count against you.

2) Speech therapy is common.

3) Overcoming a speech issue is something that you can highlight during an interview if given the opportunity as a significant step that you've taken to improve yourself. You don't want to present it as a negative, you present it as an opportunity you had to make a meaningful, successful improvement and as a testament to your dedication and passion for what you want to do. It also can provide you a context for empathy with students who may also have speech issues themselves and be a very beneficial experience.

^
This x1,000 = WIN!

[Mattman2]

I think if anything they'd look at it as you having the drive and determination to fix a possible problem.

It takes some serious man-jonies to admit you have a problem, big or small, and then taking time to correct it.

[lemonmang5]

Thanks alot, everyone. It means alot to me, to get any positive comments.

I asked a few people at the education department today, and they told me that I shouldn't worry about it at all. I can always be pushy and find a way to avoid taking the class. I would love to take a speech class, but I'll take it outside of school or something. I don't want any type of blemishes on my transcript, as this is a very competitive field. :)

[Walden]

Maj. Finish school, get your degree, and everything will fall into place like clockwork. You have nothing to worry about. It's not as hard as you think is it out there. You'll do fine.

[Kabong30]

Thanks alot, everyone. It means alot to me, to get any positive comments.

I asked a few people at the education department today, and they told me that I shouldn't worry about it at all. I can always be pushy and find a way to avoid taking the class. I would love to take a speech class, but I'll take it outside of school or something. I don't want any type of blemishes on my transcript, as this is a very competitive field. :)

The problem is you see it as a blemish when it's not. You're really being obtuse about this. The blemish will be when you try to get a job and you can't effectively communicate ideas because you let your ego get in the way of just taking some speech therapy.

[Xsao]

i've had problems with my speach in the past, take the classes not only will it help you talk better it helped me with my body language and comunication, now people see me as a very aproachable guy and ****....I reccomend it:)