Re: Change of career

Zodea

Posted on 5/26/10

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First word of advice... wait a few years :-) I think it will
take that long before the glut of new teachers gets absorbed.

Otherwise, I would recommend you get a traditional teaching
license if at all possible. How many areas do you think you
can get certified in? In a rural school you may need to teach
ALL of the science classes. It could be a major juggling act.
Think you can handle biology? do you have the coursework to
get certified in biology?

I worked as a chemist for years and eventually ended up in
teaching. I really like it. I'm slowly getting better at it.
Things are not as easy as you might expect. Student behavior
is way different to control than young adult engineers. Not
everyone makes it as a teacher. Are you sure you want to put
the time in to get a teaching certificate? You may not get a
job for years. Once you get a job the chances of you lasting 5
years aren't so hot. Many people just can't handle it, or burn
out quick.

Place to start? you local colleges and universities. See if
anyone has a night program for teachers. I did that and kept
working up until I did my student teaching. Since I already
had a degree, I didn't have to take THAT many classes. It took
me less than two years to take all my classes (at night) and
student teach.

best of luck
Zodea

On 5/25/10, David Hornick wrote:
> I'm not sure that I'm doing this properly but I was not
> sure where to start. I am a senior executive at a major
> aerospace company and I am considering a career change.
>
> I have a bachelors degree in engineering and a background
> ranging from research in medical physics to jet engine
> design. The one constant throughout my career is a love of
> teaching and motivating young engineers.
>
> I am curious about the possibility of going in to teaching
> at the high school level in a rural area preferably in the
> Kentucky/Tennessee area. Any one care to advise me?

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