Thinking about a teaching career

[Bastiansmom]

This is long.. TIA for reading (and replying!!!)
I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business about 3 1/2 years ago. I worked in the oilfield industry for 3 years as a buyer and was laid off in March. I have new employment at a university, but it is only temporary. (I am filling in for someone deployed for active duty; job should last about a year). I considered teaching before starting college, but didn't know if I would be cut out for teaching elementary school. I did well in all subjects in high school, but didn't have a passion for any subject, so I couldn't see myself being a high school teacher (as most are one-subject focused). Maybe it's because I work at a business college, but I am beginning to see how valuable "business" knowledge is in everyday life. I have this whole new perspective on education and being a part of it. So while I may not be cut out to be a history teacher, I can definitely see myself teaching business related classes.

I looked into it and I can apply for an "alternative placement" teaching program in Oklahoma. Basically, I have to apply to be accepted in to the program and if found eligible I take a state test, interview with Teacher Competency Review Panel, and get a license. After the license, I may or may not have to take additional college classes to become certified. Since I work at a university, I get take college classes for 1/2 off tuition rates and get a discount on a lot of fees.

I was initially hesitant when I found out that student teacher's don't get paid; there is no way we could live without my income for a year, but student teaching is not required for this program. From what I understand, they handle it more like an internship, for which you do get paid.

I definitely think I would be a good teacher, and I know I have found a subject I feel passionate about teaching, but there are more frivoulous reasons for considering this career change like having summers off and working the same hours my son is in school.

My questions are: If you are a teacher (especially high school) why did you get into teaching? What are the best/ worst parts about your job? Has anyone done an alternative placement program or something similar, and what was it like? Am I crazy for considering this? Please give me any and all opinions. I tend to get over excited about my ideas and am really look for a devil's advocate.. as well as encouragement if it is a good idea!

Thanks!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I found myself in a very similar situation this year. I have always wanted to teach in a Primary School (age 4-11) but after Uni got into Pharmaceutical sales and the good salary was very hard to give up for the years training when you don't get paid. Then my company downsized and I took voluntary redundancy hoping the payment would go some way to seeing me through the year. I got accepted to Uni and start in August. As I already have a degree I do August to June at Uni then one years paid probation before being fully qualified.

The downside I can see over here is that the job situation is dire. Some teaching positions have 200 applicants for each job. So getting a job may a nightmare but the way I see it is that it is something I have always wanted to do and need to grasp the opportunity I have been lucky enough to get. Otherwise I would regret passing it up I think.

I think a total change of career is a brave move but from the voluntary work I have done in schools it is clear that teaching is a very rewarding job. Exceptionally hard work but with fabulous rewards.

Good luck in your decision. The system of qualifying there sounds like it could really work for you.

 

[Bastiansmom]

I don't post very often, so when I do I get really excited about replies...
I am especially interested in hearing everyone's opinion on this subject.

 

[twinkle49]

Hi, I'm a teacher, 5th grade special ed. All I can say is I LOVE my job! I went into teaching because I love kids, and it's amazing to see how much they learn in the year that they are with you. You form some bond with each student and it's awesome. The best is when a student is having a hard time understanding a topic or a math problem and you teach them a trick or something to help them remember and you see the light blub go off in their head that they got it! and yes it is wonderful to have the summers off and all the breaks in between and believe me you do need them more then you know! I would definitely recommend teaching to someone. Good Luck!

 

[StephMK]

Hi! I've been through this thought process and like you, get excited easily about stuff. I've always enjoyed working w/kids but somehow ended up working in insurance for years. After going through a few years of checking into returning to school & backing out, I decided I had to go for it. I could not stand my job - I did a good job but it felt totally unfufilling and not what I was supposed to be doing with my life.

I quit my job last month and am starting a 2 yr program geared towards career changers for my elem ed cert/MA. It's terrifying to think how it'll work for 2 yrs w/the kids, my schedule & need to bring in income as well. However, I'm totally excited about school.

If it doesn't work (school) and I'm forced to return to work before I can finish, I figure I can fall back on some type of business work. I didn't mean to imply I was just trying teaching, just if financially I can't afford to finish right away. I am fully committed to teaching and will have the student loans for tuition from it. If you've found a subject you are passionate about, I think that's great!

I don't know how old you are but my SIL told me (I'm almost 40) - you have a good 20-25 yrs left to work, why not do something you enjoy...

I have many potential plans I've thought of but try not to dwell on all the ways it can go wrong, I don't like to fail so I'll make it work somehow. I'm a horrible devil's advocate since I'm doing it and have no idea how it'll go so maybe you don't want to listen to me! But my fav quote is something along the lines of - if you do a good job at something you don't like, imagine the possibilities if you're working at something you really enjoy.


Good luck with your decision!

 

[PollyannaMom]

.......but there are more frivoulous reasons for considering this career change like having summers off and working the same hours my son is in school....

Not frivoulous reasons at all! Having a job that accomodates the family life you want can be make such a huge difference in your life!

I'm a substitute teacher right now for the same reasons. It fits where my life is right now, and I love kids! My drgree is not in teaching either - it's a BS in mathematics, and I worked in mutual fund accounting for 7 years before DS was born. I was lucky enough to stay home when he was really little, and now love working the same hours he's in school.

I say go for it!

 

[DopeysMommy]

I'm in library school for a lot of the same reasons, I will be home with the kids more and love encouraging kids to read and teach about information literacy. It is hard going without the salary, but I also don't want to spend the next 25 years working in a miserable job.
I'll be student teaching in the fall, and it's the childcare that's killing us for that 12 weeks, but it's all part of the bigger picture.

 

[taylor3297]

I understand your dilemma. After teaching middle grades math for 17 years I resigned from my job. I no longer had the passion for it and my mother is having health issues. When I was in college I couldn't decide which degree to get so I have a BA in Business Administration and Middle Childhood Education. Tried working with the business degree for a few years, then decided teaching would be a better option.

You are correct that you do not get paid when student teaching, but student teaching should only last a semester. If you are doing a lateral entry program which you have described, in some states you can get paid while doing your student teaching/internship.

The only disadvantage to going into teaching right now is the lack of jobs in some areas due to severe budget cuts. Also class sizes where I was teaching was going to be large. My largest class so far for this coming year was 38 students and my smallest 36 students. The other two were 37.

The amount of work at home for me seemed to be increasing every year. This past year I spent many nights getting basic things done (grading, creating tests etc) at home due to the amount of required meetings at school.

So, if you do decide to teach, make sure you choose a grade level that suits you and a subject that you really enjoy. I knew elementary was not for me, nor high school, middle school to me was the best of both worlds.

Teaching is a very rewarding career. Good luck to you!

 

[kckmom]

So nice to hear such positive things! I am considering teaching, but am worried about the job market, and the whole going back to school thing. Was thinking substituting would be a good starting point!

Good luck with your future career!

 

[smylie1]

Right now teaching jobs in our area are non-existant. In just our little elementary school we lost 4 teachers and 3 assistants. We're talking in a school of less than 100 employees total (including cafeteria, custodians and after-school care) and 600 students. When they do decide they need a teacher somewhere, it posted interanally. BUT that being said, when things turn around, which I have faith that they will, the job market may be as viable as ever!

 

[mejkjj97]

I am not a teacher but my Husband decided to make a career change about 5years ago to become a teacher. He had a degree in History but had been working in the business world for 12 years. He found a few schools in Boston that had a post baccalaurate degree to get the teacher classes that he needed.
Once he completed the degree he was a Full time Sub for the first year and this got him into the door which lead him to interviews and to his current job. He has now been teaching High School History for 3 years and LOVES it!!
The first year was tough. But now he finishing his Masters and wishes he made the change sooner.
It's has been great for our family also. We have 4 year old and now expecting a second. We both could not have been in the business world with kids.
I wish you the best in your decision. It was great for our family and my DH is so much happier.

 

[Sandi S]

I've been in teaching for 15 years and I'm going to be a bit of a devil's advocate here...

First of all, lateral-entry, no student teaching programs do NOT produce the same quality of new teachers on average that student-teaching programs so. I have seen enough lateral-entry people get in way over their heads, especially in secondary to say this. Most times student teaching is one semester, not a whole year. I know people with families who have done it while working a second job. It's tough, but doable.

Second of all, while you do get the summers off, the hours you will work during the school year will NOT be the same hours as your child is in school. You will have plenty of meetings and other junk taking up school time and you will take work home. I average 50-60 hours a week during the school year. Don't forget there is also continuing education needed in order to maintain your licensure.

There are a lot of things I love about teaching. I really love mentoring new teachers, too, but I will say I'm not crazy about people coming in to the profession with the idea that it's just something to try. If you do it, be dedicated. If you aren't, it will show through to the kids and they will eat you alive.

When teaching is good, it's very good. I love what I do most days. When the sucky stuff happens - crazy parents, irrational administrators, breaking up girl fights, standardized testing - then it stinks. You just have to be prepared to endure the crud.

 

[Bastiansmom]

Hi, I'm a teacher, 5th grade special ed. All I can say is I LOVE my job! I went into teaching because I love kids, and it's amazing to see how much they learn in the year that they are with you. You form some bond with each student and it's awesome. The best is when a student is having a hard time understanding a topic or a math problem and you teach them a trick or something to help them remember and you see the light blub go off in their head that they got it! and yes it is wonderful to have the summers off and all the breaks in between and believe me you do need them more then you know! I would definitely recommend teaching to someone. Good Luck!

Lightbulb moments" are why I want to teach. I hear a lot of people complaining about teenagers, and I hate that. I know young alults can be difficult at times, but I also see them as having tons of potential.

 

[Bastiansmom]

Hi! I've been through this thought process and like you, get excited easily about stuff. I've always enjoyed working w/kids but somehow ended up working in insurance for years. After going through a few years of checking into returning to school & backing out, I decided I had to go for it. I could not stand my job - I did a good job but it felt totally unfufilling and not what I was supposed to be doing with my life.

I quit my job last month and am starting a 2 yr program geared towards career changers for my elem ed cert/MA. It's terrifying to think how it'll work for 2 yrs w/the kids, my schedule & need to bring in income as well. However, I'm totally excited about school.

If it doesn't work (school) and I'm forced to return to work before I can finish, I figure I can fall back on some type of business work. I didn't mean to imply I was just trying teaching, just if financially I can't afford to finish right away. I am fully committed to teaching and will have the student loans for tuition from it. If you've found a subject you are passionate about, I think that's great!

I don't know how old you are but my SIL told me (I'm almost 40) - you have a good 20-25 yrs left to work, why not do something you enjoy...

I have many potential plans I've thought of but try not to dwell on all the ways it can go wrong, I don't like to fail so I'll make it work somehow. I'm a horrible devil's advocate since I'm doing it and have no idea how it'll go so maybe you don't want to listen to me! But my fav quote is something along the lines of - if you do a good job at something you don't like, imagine the possibilities if you're working at something you really enjoy.


Good luck with your decision!

That's how I'm looking at it. I will definitely give it 110 %, but if I find out that I'm not cut out for teaching (or if I can find a job) I can always go back to a 8-5 business job; it just won't be as fulfilling.


I'm 26. I don't think I ever considered teaching high school until recently because I thought I was too young. Like my students wouldn't respect me because of my age... Now I should be about 10 years older than my students, but young enough to have a long career.

 

[Bastiansmom]

Not frivoulous reasons at all! Having a job that accomodates the family life you want can be make such a huge difference in your life!

I have a six year old son (7 this month, yikes!), and people are constantly asking when we are having another one. The biggest reason we only have one is childcare. If I got a teaching job, I would have at least 3 months with the baby. Now if only I can get my cycle timed correctly and the moon to line up with all the stars so I get pregnant mid-August.....

 

[Bastiansmom]

I'm a substitute teacher right now for the same reasons. It fits where my life is right now, and I love kids! My drgree is not in teaching either - it's a BS in mathematics, and I worked in mutual fund accounting for 7 years before DS was born. I was lucky enough to stay home when he was really little, and now love working the same hours he's in school.

I know the hours aren't "exactly" the same... but what hours do you normally work? My grandma was a teacher for over 30 years and she told me the "rule" was to be there 30 before the students and stay there 30 mins after. Is this typical? I do realize that there will be days when I work longer hours. I just want to get an idea.

 

[Bastiansmom]

I've been in teaching for 15 years and I'm going to be a bit of a devil's advocate here...

First of all, lateral-entry, no student teaching programs do NOT produce the same quality of new teachers on average that student-teaching programs so. I have seen enough lateral-entry people get in way over their heads, especially in secondary to say this. Most times student teaching is one semester, not a whole year. I know people with families who have done it while working a second job. It's tough, but doable.

Second of all, while you do get the summers off, the hours you will work during the school year will NOT be the same hours as your child is in school. You will have plenty of meetings and other junk taking up school time and you will take work home. I average 50-60 hours a week during the school year. Don't forget there is also continuing education needed in order to maintain your licensure.

There are a lot of things I love about teaching. I really love mentoring new teachers, too, but I will say I'm not crazy about people coming in to the profession with the idea that it's just something to try. If you do it, be dedicated. If you aren't, it will show through to the kids and they will eat you alive.

When teaching is good, it's very good. I love what I do most days. When the sucky stuff happens - crazy parents, irrational administrators, breaking up girl fights, standardized testing - then it stinks. You just have to be prepared to endure the crud.

I was going to reply to a lot of this, but I think I have said almost everything in response to previous posters. I do want to say that I am not "just trying" this. I definitely thing I would be a great teacher, and plan to give it my all. But I know that I would never even try if I didn't have a business degree to fall back on. I'm not very brave in that respect.

Also, I do have "some" experience teaching. (this is bad...not my fault... I was only 13 and had no idea this isn't a good idea) Anyway, when I was in 8th grade, I went to a VERY small school (130 kids PK-8th grade). When a teacher had to leave early or got sick I would fill in (as in substitute). This probably happened a dozen times throughout the year. We had a very fast paced classroom and I was always ahead, so I never missed any assignments to do this, and really liked it. At 13, I never had any problems running a classroom (mostly 2nd & 4th grades) It's like I always knew I was cut out to be a teacher.. I just didn't know what (or who) I would teach.

 

[luvmy2sams]

Although I graduated with an accounting degree and worked in the business world for several years before having children, I made the decision to return to school for my elementary education degree. I'm in Oklahoma, too, and although I could have easily backed into the elementary teaching environment with the alternative certification program, I made the decision to get the degree. I have a pretty large network of teaching and education professionals that encouraged me to do this for several reasons. Bottom line is that I never want a parent to question my ability as a teacher based on the degree I have hanging on the wall. Secondly, without exception, the administrators I've spoken with told me that all other things being equal the degreed teacher will get the job every single time.

My daughter has been on the receiving end of two alternatively certified teachers, and their classroom management skills were nonexistent. This is the common complaint I've heard from friends who've chosen to go the alternative route. Getting the degree and doing the student teaching hours doesn't prepare you 100% for the classroom, but you have so many required hours within the classroom before undertaking sole responsibility that you're able to garner a ton of information from your fellow teachers. That can make a big difference in being able to manage a room of 20-25 kids. Not to say that you wouldn't do a great job, just giving you some food for thought, so to speak.

You might consider substitute teaching to see if you're really up for the profession. It's most definitely not an 8-3 job with summers off anymore. There are committees, meetings, before and after school supervisory duties, continuing education programs, summer schools, year-round schools, etc. Teaching is a very rewarding profession, but it is a lot more work than most people realize.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Sandi S]

I was going to reply to a lot of this, but I think I have said almost everything in response to previous posters. I do want to say that I am not "just trying" this. I definitely thing I would be a great teacher, and plan to give it my all. But I know that I would never even try if I didn't have a business degree to fall back on. I'm not very brave in that respect.

Also, I do have "some" experience teaching. (this is bad...not my fault... I was only 13 and had no idea this isn't a good idea) Anyway, when I was in 8th grade, I went to a VERY small school (130 kids PK-8th grade). When a teacher had to leave early or got sick I would fill in (as in substitute). This probably happened a dozen times throughout the year. We had a very fast paced classroom and I was always ahead, so I never missed any assignments to do this, and really liked it. At 13, I never had any problems running a classroom (mostly 2nd & 4th grades) It's like I always knew I was cut out to be a teacher.. I just didn't know what (or who) I would teach.

The bottom line is just to be sure of what you want. I love what I do, but there are a lot of headaches involved and I'm a bit jaded having seen too many people come and go. If it's what you want, go for it, but student teach! It makes a lot of difference.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I taught k-6 music for the last 2 years. My school days were generally 8:30am-6 or 7 pm. LOOOONG days, and though you may not have after school groups...many teachers were there that late with parent conferences, grades, attendance, lesson planning, etc.

I think that almost all (if not all) of the teachers in my county who were alternatively certified lost their jobs this summer, including the mom of one of my students. There is no longer a teacher shortage in many areas....so without having a reg. certification, you may not be able to get a job.

Subbing would be a great option...no parent issues, no paperwork outside of school, etc. You can even pick and choose the schools you go to, pick up grades to see what you like...etc. Maybe you can even go back to school or take some kind of courses while you sub.

I love teaching, I just got a job at a new school for the upcoming school year. I consider myself very lucky to have gotten a job, as I know there were MANY candidates. The good things...the kids, sometimes the faculty, the freedom to create amazing lessons and inspire kids, and of course the breaks! The bad...sometimes the people you have to work with (and admin.)...schools have a very hard time firing bad, old teachers and staff, so if you get into the wrong school it can be rough...the PAPERWORK, duty, student behavioral issues that stop you from teaching and admin. who do not support you...LOL etc!

Good luck with whatever you do!

G