Becoming a high school teacher at midlife

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But I'm curious what other alternatives you think I should consider. The other things I've though of are all teaching focused: personal trainer, writing instructor/teacher/tutor. Teaching at the high school level sounds more serious than those options (though less flexible) bit o think that's actually what appeals to me about it.

I think you should consider becoming a tutor and run review classes for an AP course such as AP Government.

Your students will be actually motivated to learn what you have to teach.

That sounds so boring TBH.

[Anonymous]

Teach community college

[Anonymous]

what's your undergrad degree in? If related to what you want to teach, you might have luck at private schools and bypass certification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what's your undergrad degree in? If related to what you want to teach, you might have luck at private schools and bypass certification.

A lot of private schools require certification, but they’ll also help you get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what's your undergrad degree in? If related to what you want to teach, you might have luck at private schools and bypass certification.

And get paid far less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was in a job that involved a lot of reading and writing for years until I moved into something much more people oriented and don’t regret it. I wouldn’t have been ready a few years ago for this but now it makes sense so your instinct is right.

I agree with poster that high school age like younger teachers.

Why are you thinking of teaching as an alternative rather than many other things that involve less serious, concentrated work?

OP here and I don't feel teaching would be "less serious, concentrated work." I think in many ways it would be more intense than my current work, especially at first. I'm not looking for an easy job, but one that matches my interests and skills better. I've always loved teaching and sought out a lot of teaching and training opportunities in my current career. It feels like an obvious option for me given how much I like instructing and teaching.

But I'm curious what other alternatives you think I should consider. The other things I've though of are all teaching focused: personal trainer, writing instructor/teacher/tutor. Teaching at the high school level sounds more serious than those options (though less flexible) bit o think that's actually what appeals to me about it.

The fact that you know you want change is a great first step and shows you’re self aware. I understand that you still want intelligent, challenging work. Why not look into moving into management where you would be using your expertise and skills to manage or mentor younger professionals in your subject area? It could be in your current company or another one. Surely your expertise is needed for newer/younger employees in your subject area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But I'm curious what other alternatives you think I should consider. The other things I've though of are all teaching focused: personal trainer, writing instructor/teacher/tutor. Teaching at the high school level sounds more serious than those options (though less flexible) bit o think that's actually what appeals to me about it.

I think you should consider becoming a tutor and run review classes for an AP course such as AP Government.

Your students will be actually motivated to learn what you have to teach.

It is hard to tutor a subject that you haven’t actually taught

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what's your undergrad degree in? If related to what you want to teach, you might have luck at private schools and bypass certification.

And get paid far less.

Not necessarily. I transferred from public to private and only took a $1K pay cut. I won’t get the full state pension when I retire, but I was not going to last the 33 years I needed in order to get it anyway.

[Anonymous]

Don't do it

-former teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son's freshman English teacher this year was a former corporate lawyer from the Fortune 500 corporation where I work. This was Honors English in a middling district not in DMV.

She wanted the kids to relate to her and be grateful to her for choosing teaching. There were some disorganization issues (lesson plans, lost papers, etc.). From what I heard, there were some too obvious personality conflicts with students. I think it's hard for mid-career professionals to deal with lippy kids. Because you can't sink to their level and it's very nebulous how to get them to respect you.

I definitely think subbing, even on your vacations, would be eye-opening. Determine what level and type of school district you'd be willing to accept. And investigate the likelihood of finding a role there.

If you genuinely love mentoring kids on the verge of adulthood, please consider planning to become a debate coach, model UN coach, student newspaper club sponsor, etc. Student ECs really need quality guidance. And those roles are also undersubscribed and not well-executed in my area.

Career changer here. Yes, this was a difficult transition for me. I was used to being respected simply because I did my job well. That’s all it took in the corporate world.

Teaching is much harder. Many students force you to earn their respect. That can be a real challenge because what works for one kid will set off another kid in the class. I had to learn how to read my audience quickly, and I had to adjust my methods seat by seat. I’m great at it now, but it took about a decade of trial and error to get where I am.

OP, I recommend subbing. I also recommend looking into private schools where students are often held to higher standards of discipline. I’ve worked in both settings, and I felt more supported in private.

+1000

This is a fantastic point. Teaching is a weird mix of humility and authority- you have to prove yourself every year to a new set of kids. No one cares that you were a lawyer before- it depends on your skills and presence in the classroom. You also have to authentic- kids can smell BS a mile away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son's freshman English teacher this year was a former corporate lawyer from the Fortune 500 corporation where I work. This was Honors English in a middling district not in DMV.

She wanted the kids to relate to her and be grateful to her for choosing teaching. There were some disorganization issues (lesson plans, lost papers, etc.). From what I heard, there were some too obvious personality conflicts with students. I think it's hard for mid-career professionals to deal with lippy kids. Because you can't sink to their level and it's very nebulous how to get them to respect you.

I definitely think subbing, even on your vacations, would be eye-opening. Determine what level and type of school district you'd be willing to accept. And investigate the likelihood of finding a role there.

If you genuinely love mentoring kids on the verge of adulthood, please consider planning to become a debate coach, model UN coach, student newspaper club sponsor, etc. Student ECs really need quality guidance. And those roles are also undersubscribed and not well-executed in my area.

Career changer here. Yes, this was a difficult transition for me. I was used to being respected simply because I did my job well. That’s all it took in the corporate world.

Teaching is much harder. Many students force you to earn their respect. That can be a real challenge because what works for one kid will set off another kid in the class. I had to learn how to read my audience quickly, and I had to adjust my methods seat by seat. I’m great at it now, but it took about a decade of trial and error to get where I am.

OP, I recommend subbing. I also recommend looking into private schools where students are often held to higher standards of discipline. I’ve worked in both settings, and I felt more supported in private.

+1000

This is a fantastic point. Teaching is a weird mix of humility and authority- you have to prove yourself every year to a new set of kids. No one cares that you were a lawyer before- it depends on your skills and presence in the classroom. You also have to authentic- kids can smell BS a mile away.

So true. I was completely unprepared for this dynamic. I remember a 9th grader laughed at me during my 1st week teaching. In front of the whole class, he mocked me and called me out for being scared. Others joined in, and I had absolutely no clue how to respond. It was like a scene from a movie. I struggled the entire year with that class, probably getting 1/4th of a lesson in each day because there were so many disruptions. I cried regularly on the way home as a way to release the stress.

I confidently spoke in front of 250-300 adults when I was in the corporate world. Public speaking was a huge part of that job. But I was quickly taken down by 30 teenagers in a high school when I transitioned to teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son's freshman English teacher this year was a former corporate lawyer from the Fortune 500 corporation where I work. This was Honors English in a middling district not in DMV.

She wanted the kids to relate to her and be grateful to her for choosing teaching. There were some disorganization issues (lesson plans, lost papers, etc.). From what I heard, there were some too obvious personality conflicts with students. I think it's hard for mid-career professionals to deal with lippy kids. Because you can't sink to their level and it's very nebulous how to get them to respect you.

I definitely think subbing, even on your vacations, would be eye-opening. Determine what level and type of school district you'd be willing to accept. And investigate the likelihood of finding a role there.

If you genuinely love mentoring kids on the verge of adulthood, please consider planning to become a debate coach, model UN coach, student newspaper club sponsor, etc. Student ECs really need quality guidance. And those roles are also undersubscribed and not well-executed in my area.

Career changer here. Yes, this was a difficult transition for me. I was used to being respected simply because I did my job well. That’s all it took in the corporate world.

Teaching is much harder. Many students force you to earn their respect. That can be a real challenge because what works for one kid will set off another kid in the class. I had to learn how to read my audience quickly, and I had to adjust my methods seat by seat. I’m great at it now, but it took about a decade of trial and error to get where I am.

OP, I recommend subbing. I also recommend looking into private schools where students are often held to higher standards of discipline. I’ve worked in both settings, and I felt more supported in private.

+1000

This is a fantastic point. Teaching is a weird mix of humility and authority- you have to prove yourself every year to a new set of kids. No one cares that you were a lawyer before- it depends on your skills and presence in the classroom. You also have to authentic- kids can smell BS a mile away.

So true. I was completely unprepared for this dynamic. I remember a 9th grader laughed at me during my 1st week teaching. In front of the whole class, he mocked me and called me out for being scared. Others joined in, and I had absolutely no clue how to respond. It was like a scene from a movie. I struggled the entire year with that class, probably getting 1/4th of a lesson in each day because there were so many disruptions. I cried regularly on the way home as a way to release the stress.

I confidently spoke in front of 250-300 adults when I was in the corporate world. Public speaking was a huge part of that job. But I was quickly taken down by 30 teenagers in a high school when I transitioned to teaching.

That’s because those 300 adults would suffer real consequences if they acted like that teen.

In today’s public schools, kids act like that with impunity because even if you sent them to the office, they would be back in your class tomorrow. Admin caters to the whiny parents not the needs of teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son's freshman English teacher this year was a former corporate lawyer from the Fortune 500 corporation where I work. This was Honors English in a middling district not in DMV.

She wanted the kids to relate to her and be grateful to her for choosing teaching. There were some disorganization issues (lesson plans, lost papers, etc.). From what I heard, there were some too obvious personality conflicts with students. I think it's hard for mid-career professionals to deal with lippy kids. Because you can't sink to their level and it's very nebulous how to get them to respect you.

I definitely think subbing, even on your vacations, would be eye-opening. Determine what level and type of school district you'd be willing to accept. And investigate the likelihood of finding a role there.

If you genuinely love mentoring kids on the verge of adulthood, please consider planning to become a debate coach, model UN coach, student newspaper club sponsor, etc. Student ECs really need quality guidance. And those roles are also undersubscribed and not well-executed in my area.

Career changer here. Yes, this was a difficult transition for me. I was used to being respected simply because I did my job well. That’s all it took in the corporate world.

Teaching is much harder. Many students force you to earn their respect. That can be a real challenge because what works for one kid will set off another kid in the class. I had to learn how to read my audience quickly, and I had to adjust my methods seat by seat. I’m great at it now, but it took about a decade of trial and error to get where I am.

OP, I recommend subbing. I also recommend looking into private schools where students are often held to higher standards of discipline. I’ve worked in both settings, and I felt more supported in private.

+1000

This is a fantastic point. Teaching is a weird mix of humility and authority- you have to prove yourself every year to a new set of kids. No one cares that you were a lawyer before- it depends on your skills and presence in the classroom. You also have to authentic- kids can smell BS a mile away.

So true. I was completely unprepared for this dynamic. I remember a 9th grader laughed at me during my 1st week teaching. In front of the whole class, he mocked me and called me out for being scared. Others joined in, and I had absolutely no clue how to respond. It was like a scene from a movie. I struggled the entire year with that class, probably getting 1/4th of a lesson in each day because there were so many disruptions. I cried regularly on the way home as a way to release the stress.

I confidently spoke in front of 250-300 adults when I was in the corporate world. Public speaking was a huge part of that job. But I was quickly taken down by 30 teenagers in a high school when I transitioned to teaching.

That’s because those 300 adults would suffer real consequences if they acted like that teen.

In today’s public schools, kids act like that with impunity because even if you sent them to the office, they would be back in your class tomorrow. Admin caters to the whiny parents not the needs of teachers.

Lol. Try later that same class period. I don't think parents really have any idea what classrooms are like these days. I wish volunteering in classrooms was a requirement for parents so they could see what goes on day after day. I can see how parents who come on field trips get a glimpse of how exhausting it is.

[Anonymous]

When people say there’s a teacher shortage, they’re NOT talking about social studies. SS jobs, especially at the high school level, can be very hard to come by, and virtually impossible to get with no teaching experience. You are not going to be walking into some honors or AP level government class at a W school in Moco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When people say there’s a teacher shortage, they’re NOT talking about social studies. SS jobs, especially at the high school level, can be very hard to come by, and virtually impossible to get with no teaching experience. You are not going to be walking into some honors or AP level government class at a W school in Moco.

Perhaps for a W school, but there are plenty of SS positions to go around right now. My school had 2 positions this year and 3 a year ago.