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Re: Am I making a huge mistake?
Posted by career changer on 5/09/08

I too changed careers 5 years ago (at the age of 45) to teach
science. This is the best response I have read to those that
ask whether or not a person should go into teaching. My
parents were both in the education field and tried for years
to talk me out of becoming a teacher. I didn't listen to them
and finally made the switch. Even if you think you know what
it will be like...you don't until you are 'in the trenches'.
Is it a hard job? YES. Is it frustrating? YES. Do I regret it?
Sometimes, but as much as I complain about the kids, they do
make it worth it in the end.

Good luck

On 5/08/08, ACP wrote:
> Been there done that. The romantic notion of teaching is
what
> attracts most to the profession. The unconditional love of
> kids is what keeps teachers in the profession.
>
> You have to be a people and kid person to be a teacher. If
> you get into teaching to stroke your ego by showing the world
> what you know, you will quickly get disillusioned and burned
> out. You will not be able to see the little wins and the
> little glints in the children's eyes. You will not be able
to
> suppress your embarrassment, anger, and rebuttals when the
> students purposely and sometimes unconsciously make you the
> object of their sarcasm, joke, vulgarity, and power
struggles.
> You will be miserable! On the other hand, if you truly love
> the quirkiness, silliness, goofiness, naivety, warped view of
> life, and morbid compulsive curiosity with bodily functions
> and reproduction; and if you can keep the big picture and
> accept that you might influence a student in ways that won't
> manifest themselves for years to come, then you might be a
> good or even great teacher.
>
> K-12 science is not earth shattering research and deep
> experimentation. How many times can you talk about simple
> machines, the rock and water cycle, the major organs of the
> body, and the scientific process before you get tired of it?
> You say you don't have a background in science so you will
> have to take a number of classes to obtain "highly qualified"
> status. You will have a masters degree when you are finished
> that will net you a few thousand more than the person next to
> you just out of a 4 year education program and tens of
> thousands under what masters in many other professions earn.
> The hours are long, the big wins are few and far between, the
> appreciation is low, the support seems lacking or nonexistent
> at times. Parents will frequently not support you and you
> will go home at nights pulling your hair out.
>
> With all of that said, if you can get into a high school AP
> physics position, you will be dealing with the upper tier
kids
> and able to pursue more academically challenging concepts
with
> fewer behavioral issues. But again, don't expect the
> enthusiasm and passion that you are feeling right now now or
> to be shared by your clientèle.
>
> After twenty five years in the IT industry and frustrated
with
> big business, I am now making 1/4 the money trying to teach
13
> year olds how to find area of rectangles. I am happier now
> than I have been in 15 years, but I must preface this by
> saying that I am financially OK and I do it because I want
to.
> It is not a job I have to do so if I get tired or overly
> frustrated I will just stop doing it.
>
> Your mileage may vary. Only you can decide if you have the
> right personality to jump into this boat. Yes you will
change
> the world, but it will be done in minuscule and often
> imperceptible increments and you will receive very little
> recognition and appreciation for your efforts. Your
> motivation and gratification must come from within if you are
> to be happy in this profession.
>
> Good luck in whatever you decide.

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Am I making a huge mistake?, 5/08/08, by secondary thoughts.
• Re: Am I making a huge mistake?, 5/08/08, by ACP.
• Re: Am I making a huge mistake?, 5/09/08, by career changer.
• Re: Am I making a huge mistake?, 5/10/08, by sincere.
• Re: Am I making a huge mistake?, 5/10/08, by zodea.
• Re: Am I making a huge mistake?, 5/15/08, by <3 2 teach.