Becoming a high school teacher at midlife

[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.

Wow, thank you for this. This illustrates the difference we so often try to explain to those who don't work in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

I would try private/ Catholic schools since money is not as important. Maybe take some PTO and just sub first to see how it goes. My government teacher in high school was great, I’m pretty sure he was a retiree from another career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a lawyer and have worked in law firms (mostly corporate with some litigation) my entire career -- since my mid-20s. I'm looking for a career change.

I have always loved teaching. I volunteer for mentorship and training because I really enjoy it and I think it plays well to my skills. I am good at breaking down complex topics and explaining them and I'm also a highly empathetic person who likes talking to and relating to people. I get to do some of this in my work but less than I'd like -- so much of lawyering is reading and writing in a solitary environment and most of my clients are long-established so they aren't looking for me to explain things to them. I'm in the "maintenance" phase of my legal career and I'm bored.

It occurred to me that I think I might really love teaching government or civics classes at the high school level. I could see maybe also teaching at the college or law school level but to be honest it doesn't excite me as much because I'd likely be teaching something much more narrow i those environments. But the idea of teaching teenagers how our government and legal systems work sounds invigorating to me. I also really like kids in general -- I'm a parent and have always loved chaperoning field trips and talking to my kids' friends about the world. I like the perspective kids bring to subjects like politics and policy. They often approach them in a very pure way of needing things to make sense and be logical and they tend to have an untainted sense of justice and right and wrong that is refreshing to a middle aged attorney.

But I know teaching is a tough job and not for the faint of heart especially at the secondary school level. Anyone have thoughts or advice on what this career shift would look like (including getting certifications and actually applying for jobs) and whether I'm being overly optimistic about this as a potential career shift.

I know that financially it would be fine. Obviously it would be a big pay cut for me but we are at a place financially where I could probably retire if I wanted to. But I'm not even 50 and actually like having a job. I just don't think I want my current job anymore.

My kids favorite teachers were mid-career switchers like you! There because they choose to be there later (not because they are stuck mid-career). Go for it, just know what you are getting into, as teaching as a career is a bit of a mess right now

[Anonymous]

It seems like every single teacher at my kids’ middle and high schools came to teaching as a second career. Literally, every BTSN presentation starts with “I was a lawyer/accountant/whatever and decided to become a teacher.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Parent not teacher here. I remember volunteering to help at a school event. It was for an hour. I was doing so much to keep track of kids and respond and whatnot. I remember checking my watch, sure that an hour had passed with how engaged I had to be. 10 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Parent not teacher here. I remember volunteering to help at a school event. It was for an hour. I was doing so much to keep track of kids and respond and whatnot. I remember checking my watch, sure that an hour had passed with how engaged I had to be. 10 minutes.

Haha this made me laugh. I feel that way every time I chaperone a dance!

[Anonymous]

Do it OP. If you are fine with the pay cut, then jump in. It will be a wild ride the first few years but it will be worth it. We need good teachers in our schools. The kids aren’t as bad as some folks on here are making them out to be and I teach at a low/middle income public high school. Yes, some of the behavior is atrocious and hallway fights can be unsettling but most kids range from decent to amazing. I had teenagers at home when I started teaching high school and that really helped me with the transition. I was familiar with the moodiness, snarky attitudes and general surliness. And get used to eye rolls. But once you win them over, you get to see a different side of the kids. If you genuinely like teenagers, you will be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend doing this. First, the high schools prefer to hire young teachers who are more relatable to the students and can also coach something after school. Also, you might be shocked at how poorly you will be treated by admin and parents after working in a field that is generally respected.

If none of this phases you, you will have an easier time finding a position in a middle school. You could still teach civics.

High School AP here and this is not true at all. Check out iTeach or the career switcher program. While I think student teaching is extremely valuable, I have seen some great teachers come out of these programs (which you don't have to do a full semester student teaching).

[Anonymous]

OP here -- thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions. You've given me some great leads for looking into programs and also good advice for trying out subbing first. I've already looked into getting certified as a sub in our school district and am going to see if I can do it this coming school year to get a better sense for whether I would really like being in the classroom and whether HS or middle would be a better fit.

I do want to note that I actually LIKE that teens don't suffer fools and expect people to earn their respect. I was like this as a teen too. It makes for very transparent interactions. Yes they can be brutal but at any school event or kids' party I am happier talking to the kids than the adults -- the kids have more interesting things to say and more lively conversation and they do not suffer fools or feign pleasantness just to keep everyone comfortable. Perhaps I'm naive about what that would feel like in the classroom but as a general matter I like the vibe with teens.

[Anonymous]

Go for it!! We have too many bitter exhausted teachers. Students would benefit from someone who has a different perspective.

[Anonymous]

If you do switch, post again and let us know how it goes. I'm thinking of doing something similar in a couple of years.

Slightly different situation in that I'll probably be a bit older than you are now, so I'm worried about age discrimination. On the other hand, I have bachelor and graduate science degrees - biology focus, but have enough earth science-related credits that I probably could also get certified in earth sciences, with a little bit of extra work - and I'm hoping that the science focus would be in enough demand to compensate for my age. But we'll see if I'm brave enough to actually make the jump.

[Anonymous]

I say go for it, OP! Some of the best teachers my kids had were career switchers at MS and HS. These teachers really seemed to appreciate the kids and enjoy the job. It’s not true that schools prefer younger teachers and with the shortage, you will have no problem finding a job.

And, speaking as a lawyer, I don’t find it rewarding at all. Since you like teaching and teens, it’s an obvious match. I am still looking for my next move.

Here’s some info from FCPS about career switching programs: https://www.fcps.edu/career-switcher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do switch, post again and let us know how it goes. I'm thinking of doing something similar in a couple of years.

Slightly different situation in that I'll probably be a bit older than you are now, so I'm worried about age discrimination. On the other hand, I have bachelor and graduate science degrees - biology focus, but have enough earth science-related credits that I probably could also get certified in earth sciences, with a little bit of extra work - and I'm hoping that the science focus would be in enough demand to compensate for my age. But we'll see if I'm brave enough to actually make the jump.

I’m one of the teachers who posted above. We’d love to have you! A lot of our teachers, especially in the sciences, are career changers. You’ll be in good company.

I’m the career-changing teacher who said I was taken down by 30 teenagers my first year. I survived, learned more about classroom management and how to develop relationships, and I’m now settled into it. Just go in with eyes open. You’ll have rough days, but we ALL do. They aren’t a reflection on you, and you can bounce back. Lean in to your colleagues. They’ll give you support and great ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go for it!! We have too many bitter exhausted teachers. Students would benefit from someone who has a different perspective.

They weren't always that way. It's an exhaustive, often demeaning job. Years of that takes its toll.

[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.

Oh yes, but money doesn't sound like an issue. I did this for a few years and liked it. I also lived there so saved huge amounts on rent, food, utilities...