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North Carolina Teachers Chatboard

Pursuing Lateral Entry

by 25 years in

Jun 8, 2017

I see that you're digging for something positive, but you're not likely to find much. The lateral entry program is not a good concept; it assumes that knowing the subject matter is the same as understanding how to translate that material to students while managing a plethora of other details. Its original intention was to bring in people with exper...See MoreI see that you're digging for something positive, but you're not likely to find much. The lateral entry program is not a good concept; it assumes that knowing the subject matter is the same as understanding how to translate that material to students while managing a plethora of other details. Its original intention was to bring in people with experience in trades or business -- it wasn't really intended for core subjects. In more than two decades, I have no strongly positive stories to share -- and I have a story about absolutely everything.

Yes, teacher attrition is bad in NC -- multiple reasons, but that's another subject. Lateral entry attrition is not just worse; it's exponentially worse. In my experience, lateral entry people rarely return for a second year, sometimes don't finish out the semester. Our county has opted to hire VIF -- Visiting International Faculty -- instead of lateral entry; these are teachers from other countries. They only stay two years, but they're more stable than the average lateral entry person.

When you say "it depends upon the person", I know you're thinking that you're a strong student yourself, you can handle challenges, and you are willing to work hard. I don't doubt those things, but I think you're looking at this job with rose colored glasses. Let me say it differently: You're thinking that because you're highly skilled at the subject matter and are a good speaker, you're going to do well -- those things will see you through about 10% of teaching. You haven't had classes in lesson preparation, haven't had a student teaching semester to help you, aren't prepared to deal with special needs kids and 504 kids, and -- to put it simply -- you think these are quick and easy things that you'll pick up in the first week. No, these are the things that break the lateral entry people.

You're an attorney, right? Would you say that I could read your notes thoroughly, interview your client, and go in and try a case ... with maybe a mentor to prepare me for half an hour? It's laughable, isn't it? Well, it's the same for the classroom. People think that because they were students, they know how to teach.

You say you're applying to good schools. Thing is, everyone wants to get into the good schools, so those jobs are going to the certified teachers. Likewise, the honors classes go to the experienced teachers. The new guy on the hall gets to teach the low-level, least-motivated students -- while working towards certification.

Coaches are always in need. We're overrun with people willing/able to do clubs and organizations.

In conclusion, I know you want encouragement, but I honestly don't think you're at all likely to get a History job through lateral entry, and I haven't seen great success with that program. My suggestions are still, Consider community college or a charter school ... the student population would make the job immensely easier. Or -- better yet -- consider substitute teaching. The qualifications for subbing are low, and it'd allow you a taste of school without any real commitment.

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