Switching careers - lawyer to a teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it's true that teaching isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but I am SO glad I made the switch. I do not for one moment regret leaving corporate America for the classroom. I work with low income students (title 1 school in FCPS), and we have lots of resources to work with these students, a strong support system from admin and support personnel, and the best teachers I have ever worked with. I have taught in wealthy schools before, and the teachers here are 100x better.

I do agree that you need to spend time in a classroom to see the realities of it. It is not the same as tutoring or mentoring. If you have a teacher friend, ask to observe one day.

I agree and disagree. The school day is actually the easiest and least stressful part of my day. I enjoy teaching kids. That's why I'm there. It's what keeps me doing this. It's what happens in the hours after school that's tough. All of the extras that are mandated but we are not given enough planning time to complete. Planning time that is completely micromanaged and must be collaborative. All of the browbeating and blaming and being told that you're not giving enough of yourself when you're giving all you can possibly give of yourself. And being told all of this by people who haven't been in a classroom in years, if they've ever actually been in one at all. All administrators should be required to teach at least 1 year in every 5. It would bring them back to reality.

While it's important for anyone contemplating a move to be a teacher to actually observe, they won't get the complete picture unless they shadow a teacher for longer than 1 day.

not so

I work in a very low-performing school w/o a wellness center. So there is no referral process for helping kids with mental health issues. I've had two people shadow me and both - after one day - decided teaching was not for them. My honors classes are fine, but the division btw honors and on level is so large that it's almost surreal when you witness the change from one class period to the next.

If you like a bipolar day, I have a job for you.

[Anonymous]

I went from military physician to private school teacher and really liked it. The politics were completely different, and I hated the lack of prestige and having to be nice to cra-cra parents. But the kids were smart and mostly hard working. Once I got the hang of lesson plans and teaching, though, it got monotonous. I'm back to being a doctor.