Returning to Teaching After 2 Decades

[Anonymous]

Hello. I taught two decades ago for one year before transitioning to an office job. I am considering leaving my corporate career for the classroom. I am looking to teach in Virginia (currently hold an expired out-of-state license).

I feel like I need retraining beyond completing requirements for a Virginia license. EducateVA looks perfect for my needs, but the website says it's not for people who hold expired or out-of-state licenses.

Anyone been in my shoes? Any advice?

[Anonymous]

Don’t do it is my advice

[Anonymous]

Why do you want to do this, OP? What type of salary cut will you take? Do you need a schedule that aligns with your kids’ schedules?

I left the classroom within the last 5 years for an office job. I have over 10 years of teaching experience. I left for more money. I have kids who are going to college, and I didn’t want to continue to work as hard as I was working for so little salary.

Have you worked as a substitute or a volunteer since you last taught? If not, please start doing that ASAP. If you haven’t worked in a school in any capacity in the last 20 years, this will give you an idea of what it’s like in 2025.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. I think I am seeking what a lot of career changers are seeking - meaning after working an essentially meaningless job. I've earned a good salary for many years and am at the point where I am willing to take a pay cut. My kids are teenagers now, so I am at the point where I would not need childcare and feel like I can do something for myself.

I realize this is backwards from what many do and value these responses.

[Anonymous]

I taught for awhile and concur that you would want modern training. Look for highly rated schools to start out with, then move to title 1 if you feel up to the challenge. Having taught at both, I’d try to avoid starting at a low-performing school, but I was happy to end up there, if that makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Why did you leave teaching after your first year?
What did you teach and what would you be looking to teach now?
I’ve taught elementary for 25 years and it is very different than it was 20 years ago.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I left for an opportunity, and life just happened. I always thought there would be a time I went back.

I agree I am unprepared. I am not sure how to get the training I need with my particular credentials. I don't want to quit my current job while preparing, hence EducateVA seemed appealing.

I taught secondary and would do that again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello. I taught two decades ago for one year before transitioning to an office job. I am considering leaving my corporate career for the classroom. I am looking to teach in Virginia (currently hold an expired out-of-state license).

I feel like I need retraining beyond completing requirements for a Virginia license. EducateVA looks perfect for my needs, but the website says it's not for people who hold expired or out-of-state licenses.

Anyone been in my shoes? Any advice?

This sounds like a college shill thread.
College doesn't teach teachers how to teach at all. You learn that once you start teaching. The whole "on going education" is just another scam to get more money out of already underpaid teachers.

Just jump right in and get emergency certified. You can do that for a few years, and likely you will quit teaching before that as public education has gone in the dumps in the last 25 years.

[Anonymous]

I had an expired out of state license from CA a few years ago and realized I could just easily renew it online. Once I did that and had a current license, I easily applied for a VA license. Just needed transcripts, some easy online courses (free) and CPR training.
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello. I taught two decades ago for one year before transitioning to an office job. I am considering leaving my corporate career for the classroom. I am looking to teach in Virginia (currently hold an expired out-of-state license).

I feel like I need retraining beyond completing requirements for a Virginia license. EducateVA looks perfect for my needs, but the website says it's not for people who hold expired or out-of-state licenses.

Anyone been in my shoes? Any advice?

This sounds like a college shill thread.
College doesn't teach teachers how to teach at all. You learn that once you start teaching. The whole "on going education" is just another scam to get more money out of already underpaid teachers.

Just jump right in and get emergency certified. You can do that for a few years, and likely you will quit teaching before that as public education has gone in the dumps in the last 25 years.

This. Best to jump right in. You really can’t learn anything from an education class. You have to learn it in the classroom while you teach. I went right into teaching without any background. Yes, the first two years were hell but they will be tough no matter what. Now, several years in, it is still tough because there is always so much to do but not panic attack stressful. I also started teaching when my kids were teenagers and I teach secondary.

[Anonymous]

Do you have your M.Ed? Might as well find a cheap one and get it. It will pay for itself in a few years with the salary bump districts give for it.

You won't learn a ton but you'll get classroom observation hours and snippets of useful ideas.

[Anonymous]

How much PTO do you currently have? And can you take an LOA from your current job? I think the PPs idea of subbing would be a good idea to get your feet wet again. If you could take a month or two of leave, you could pursue a long-term sub role to start to get familiar again.

It’s going to be a very different experience than what you’re used to and teaching for 1 year 20 years ago really doesn’t count at this point. But we need people to become teachers that really want to teach so I think you should try.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who did this - she had taught for a few years but gave it up. When her youngest graduated HS, she wanted to move across the country and figured teaching would be an avenue to do that. She got re-certified and found a job in the general vicinity of where she wanted to spend her 50s/60s. Been teaching again a few years now and seems very happy.