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[quote=Anonymous]This is a huge jump.  Make sure you really want to do this.  Take the reality check.  Go online and check out the entry level pay for the public school systems around you.  It likely will mean a significant pay decrease for you.  Private schools generally pay a lot less than public but the benefits of private school can be a better work environment and fewer work days so those are benefits that aren't to be overlooked.  I am a career switcher.  I began at private school and now teach in public school. I am glad I made the jump but even after almost 20 years I am making less than 1/2 of what I was making before I made the move and the job has gotten a lot more difficult.

You need an extended period of subbing to help you determine if you're cut out for the job.  Go online and check out the sub requirements for your local public school system.  Apply and jump through the hoops to be accepted.  Being approved as a sub doesn't mean you automatically get calls so don't worry that the approval process will mean you get called immediately.  Get approved, this takes a few weeks because you need the background check, etc., then pick out 2-3 weeks minimum when you can sub.  Do not choose at times like the first two weeks of December.  Yes, it may work well for your work schedule but you want to be subbing when the teaching is real and the schedule is stable, not chopped up with a ton of enrichment concerts and such.  You want to choose a time like the end of January through March/April when the schedule is stable and we're all hard at work getting through the curriculum in anticipation of state testing.  May/June are also probably not good because of state testing.  When you're subbing, talk to the teachers around you so you get a feel for what the job entails and whether it will be a good fit for you.

If you are interested in teaching in public school, then test the waters in middle school and high school.  It likely will be very difficult for you to get certified in elementary for public school so you want to be subbing in the grade levels you most likely will be able to get certified for.

Teaching is not for the faint-hearted and despite your passion for it you need to take off the rose-colored glasses and take a good hard look at the profession before you make the jump.  At my school we have had some former attorneys cycle through.  In general they had a tough time because they were rigid, wanted to work in a silo, and basically did not play well with others.  I don't know if we just got bad eggs or if these are traits common to your current profession but think hard about what you're doing.  Are you flexible?  Will you take criticism personally or will you let things roll off your back?  Can you multi-task?  Can you work with a wide range of people, from veteran teachers to newbies just out of school to high maintenance parents or absent parents, and be respectful to all of them?  Are you collaborative?  Will you accept input from others?

Finally, there are some good career switcher programs around.  Take a look and talk to the programs to get a feel for what you will need to do from their perspective.  Get your transcripts mailed to you and have them evaluated by the DOE for your state (you will need to tell the state what you want to teach).  The career switcher programs can help with this.  Good luck.[/quote]

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