Has anyone switched to a career in teaching to spend more time (summers) with your kids?

[Anonymous]

Considering doing this. I know it's a lot of work outside of school hours (evenings and weekends), maybe especially the first couple years. I'm considering this.

[Anonymous]

Do you want to teach, aside from the time with your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you want to teach, aside from the time with your kids?

Yes, that's the first question. Based on your thread title, though, I'm guessing that the schedule is the primary motivator.

I'm a principal and only want to hire the most talented folks with a passion to connect with kids. If you do want to teach for the sake of making a difference in kids' lives, then the next question is: What makes you think you'd be an outstanding teacher? What would you bring to a school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you want to teach, aside from the time with your kids?

Yes, that's the first question. Based on your thread title, though, I'm guessing that the schedule is the primary motivator.

I'm a principal and only want to hire the most talented folks with a passion to connect with kids. If you do want to teach for the sake of making a difference in kids' lives, then the next question is: What makes you think you'd be an outstanding teacher? What would you bring to a school?

Since when is being any good at it even remotely part of the job description? You sure you a principal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you want to teach, aside from the time with your kids?

Yes, that's the first question. Based on your thread title, though, I'm guessing that the schedule is the primary motivator.

I'm a principal and only want to hire the most talented folks with a passion to connect with kids. If you do want to teach for the sake of making a difference in kids' lives, then the next question is: What makes you think you'd be an outstanding teacher? What would you bring to a school?

Since when is being any good at it even remotely part of the job description? You sure you a principal?

Gosh after reading that PP, I had to get a towel to wipe the cynicism off of my screen.

[Anonymous]

I think you should try subbing before you take any other steps.

You might find it's not worth the summers off.

[Anonymous]

Also, if ur really doing it just for "summers off", you will be in for a very unpleasant surprise ur first summer...

[Anonymous]

I had an excellent HS math teacher who left the software industry to teach. She was great and loved the 7-3pm hours.
Yes there is prep outside of "work hours", but what job doesn't.

I'd think leaving a $200k career to teach and motivate students would resonate with the "principal" too. And nothing like actually seeing what you could do with a math or biology degree, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering doing this. I know it's a lot of work outside of school hours (evenings and weekends), maybe especially the first couple years. I'm considering this.

OP when I got my masters' and teaching license, I was told that it would take five years of experience before I could call myself a "master teacher." They were right. Expect the long hours (could be 60 hrs/week during the school year) to last for at least the first 2-3 years.

Teaching is draining in a way that other jobs are not draining. It is not necessarily more difficult than any other job, but it is repetitive, calls for you to be super creative, yet willing to do lots of rote/drudgery work. Lots of people can do the job, but not too many people excel at it. Classroom management doesn't come naturally to most people; it has to be practiced. A truly talented and hard-working teacher can get through the work of the first few years.

What will be your motivation to get you through that period? What makes you special enough to stick it out, and become the teacher parents hope their children get assigned to?

Of course think about having summers off, but when your child gets sick suddenly, it's DH who will need to take off work for that emergency doctor appointment. The work year is short, but not flexible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Of course think about having summers off, but when your child gets sick suddenly, it's DH who will need to take off work for that emergency doctor appointment. The work year is short, but not flexible.

This is interesting. Can you elaborate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Of course think about having summers off, but when your child gets sick suddenly, it's DH who will need to take off work for that emergency doctor appointment. The work year is short, but not flexible.

This is interesting. Can you elaborate?

It's not the kind of job where you can just walk out for a couple of hours for a doctor's appointment or drop everything and get your kid out of daycare. You have to get coverage for your class. Not saying that you can't leave. Just that it takes a lot more coordination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Of course think about having summers off, but when your child gets sick suddenly, it's DH who will need to take off work for that emergency doctor appointment. The work year is short, but not flexible.

This is interesting. Can you elaborate?

It depends on the district, but usually teaching jobs only give you 3-5 days for sick and personal leave at first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Of course think about having summers off, but when your child gets sick suddenly, it's DH who will need to take off work for that emergency doctor appointment. The work year is short, but not flexible.

This is interesting. Can you elaborate?

It depends on the district, but usually teaching jobs only give you 3-5 days for sick and personal leave at first.

Fairfax gives 10 sick and 3 personal from day 1.

[Anonymous]

It's not the lack of days. It's knowing that your students will not be as productive or learn anything new because you will not be there and a last minute sub is a crapshoot at best.

Also, you still have to write plans even when you're ill.

[Anonymous]

You also have to line up a substitute