Teachers?

[David White]

Went back to school and started teaching Special Education at 50 years of age. I find it very hard work, yet rewarding.

[meinfs]

I was a university chemistry instructor in the early 90s. Not doing that now - but perhaps in the future. Good luck with your transition.

[CDNSushi]

For the sake of balance and devil's advocacy, I offer the following for consideration because most of the others in this thread are very positive and encouraging. I think it's best not to fool yourself with overly optimistic dreams that might be unrealistic and let you down later on.

I have both worked with and still do work with my share of disillusioned teachers here in Japan. Currently, one of my friends has vowed never to return to the teaching profession after he finishes with his stint here. In his own words, he went into teaching (graduated only about 5 or 6 years ago) despite the warnings of his own high school social studies teacher who told him it was a hard, thankless, low-paying, stressful job -- and to not go into it.

He is an IA certified high school language arts teacher. He feels that the whole image of "educating the nation's youth" is just a pipe dream, as so very few students are willing participants in the education process. Dealing with parents who feel they are somehow entitled to something special, combined with their image that teachers are all over-paid and unionized, not worthy of the high salaries they get and only having to work 10 months out of the year. All of which are untrue.

As for me, I am not a certified teacher, although I have taught English at all levels here in Japan -- from elementary school, through junior high school, and now a junior college. Since I do enjoy teaching (and have been told by many that I have a real knack for it), I did research into getting papers to teach in the U.S. To make a long story short, it was such a huge mess, I eventually gave up and am currently about 1/3 of the way through a distance-ed MBA. What changed my mind? For starters, every state is so very different and there is no rhyme or reason to the myriads of requirements for lateral entry. Second, even the states where it's relatively simple, you have to deal with YEARS of entry level salary, which at my age (34) is a slap in the face considering all the time I've put in working various jobs since I graduated from uni. Do you know how much an entry-level schoolteacher makes these days? You're essentially scraping the poverty line. I'm not interested in stepping backwards when I have a wife who wants to start a family.

There are actually many other reasons why I reconsidered going into K-12 ed. full-time, but again -- I just wanted to help balance out the thread with another take on it. I admire your ambition and desire for a life change, but do consider carefully what you might be getting into, and don't be afraid to ask the hard questions: are these the kinds of problems I'm willing to deal with and overcome? Will the rewards be worth it in spite of the difficulties?

Whatever you choose in the end, I wish you the best of luck and success doing it.

[haxtonhouse]

I am a fifth grade teacher, graduated in 2005. I am 37, and an Army Veteran, college was easier I think as a non-traditional student.

[SteveB]

As you have said that you are relocating.... Check very carefully the requirements to be certified for teaching in that state/county/municipality. I am in Massachusetts and teach Religious Education (A.K.A. Sunday School) that is not a certified for teaching position. I am in control of my presentations and classroom as the curricula are very broad and allow for a lot of creativity.
One of my fellow RE teachers is a full time teacher in the Public Schools, and can not wait to retire. It started out as an enjoyable profession, but has changed with all the legislation that has defined much of what may occur in the classroom. Here in Massachusetts we have the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Achievement Standard) tests. This has changed the classroom into teaching for the test. The curriculum is now oriented in a micromanaged way for the Holy Grail of the school's overall grade on the MCAS test. There is almost no room for creativity, or for enhancing the presentation of the subjects to the students.
My RE group is Kindergarten and Grade 1. The wee'ns have complained about the difficulty of exploring more on certain subjects in their Public School, because the time for each is so limited. BTW- I measure my success in how long the wee'ns want to stay in my classroom after the parents have come into the upstairs room for coffee hour. The most successful days are when the parents are through the fellowship upstairs and have to come downstairs and try to convince their child to leave. All of the parents have complimented me for giving the child something that they take home and practice. (religious principles). My kilted personality has won over all eighteen of the little ones, and thirty-six adults. One of the parents was startled the day I taught the class in trousers. (We had an outdoor project that would have made a mess of my kilt, and I really don't care what happens to a ten dollar pair of trousers from the thrift store (charity shop).)
RANT ON:
I for many years volunteered in the classroom at a school near my home, to enhance the teachers work in American history, mathematics, and environmental science. The new MCAS has made it impossible for the teachers to use me in the quest for the test.
These are my experiences as a real old man, who is not happy with the changes that are really in the long run dumbing down some of our future.
RANT OFF:
Slainte

[Tartan Hiker]

I've been in the high school classroom for 22 years now, and love every day of it. However, I have to agree with SteveB's rant. Hopefully the "winds of change" in DC will alleviate some of the strife that "No Child Left Behind" has caused.

[piperdbh]

One of my former principals said that NCLB really mean "No School Left Standing". It'll take a long time to undo the damage that has been allowed to happen to our schools. My wish/hope is for an appreciation for education and some self-discipline to be taught at home. We can hope.

[Weasel Mender]

It once was my desire to teach history at the high school level but my mother a vetren of 50+ years in the classroom has persueded me against it. Why because I would comit heresy by teaching the "truth" i.e. facts from unbiased research as opposed to that is political palitable to the powers that be. Mores the pity. and many kudos to all those who sucessfuly practice the most difficult sales job on the planet, selling knowledge to unwilling minds.

Weasel

[Rob Wright]

There are numerous different reasons that end up limited what a teacher can do, including the principal, the school district, and the school board. It is not just the standards and benchmarks and testing. Toss in students, parents, fellow teachers, assemblies and other distractions, and what you have is all kinds of chaos lurching around. Despite all that many teachers still manage to do a more than passable job of educating students, not always to the degree they desire but they soldier on.

I will say that I have noticed the following in my education courses. Those who are recently out of hugh school are far less flexible and open changing course and trying other things than those of us who have spent years out in the real world.

Rob

[bricelythgoe]

How many of you out there are teachers?

I am thinking about going back to school (Im 31) to get my teaching degree. I have always wanted to be a history teacher. I have always loved history...especially Military History. I was wondering how hard it was to get your degree? Like I said in a previous post, I am planning on moving back to Tucson, and right now, I am a professional Bagpiper 7 days a week, I used to be in the family buisness (jewelry) but decided that 8.5 years working with family is about 8 years to much...anway. Just curious.
thanks,
Chad

I graduated with a History Teaching Major/Spanish Teaching Minor. It does take some work, but it can be done. I did while working full time. I love teaching both of those subjects. I say go for it!