Any teachers out there

[ballyhoohoo]

I am thinking of making a transition into teaching and was looking for some insight. I am 29 years old, I have my BA from ISU IN Recreation Managment & a Masters of Education in Athletic Administration from Xavier.

I would love to teach History/Government/Social Studies. I have looked at IWU's transition to teaching program. Any feedback?

[Frambo]

I just retired after 30 years of teaching history and coaching various sports. I really enjoyed my time, but it might be very tough to get a position.

Right now, it seems like the job market is pretty tight in the Social Studies field.
Most needed are math, science and intervention specialists (special ed).

Good luck!

[mohr5150]

I've been a teacher at the elementary level for 14 years, and I can tell you that it has become very tough to teach. I have seen a major change over the past several years in parental involvement in their children's education, which has led to the care given to education by the students to lower drastically. It sounds like you were leaning toward the high school level, so it might not be as much of an issue with you, but my experience as a teacher has become not nearly as enjoyable as it was when I first started teaching. Don't get me wrong, I still like being a teacher, but it's definitely not as rewarding as it has been in the past.

[kmcrawfo]

I am a teacher/professor serving as faculty at St. Louis University. I'm responsible for the dermatology education of SLU's family practice residents.

I know this is not the type of teaching you are interested in pursuing, but I have some thoughts on your potential career change.

It has been my experience that people entering history / social sciences / arts / music have a very, very difficult time finding jobs in those areas. So, if you really want to do that you better have something else that makes you stand out. Maybe you happen to be a well known basketball coach/football coach/know the superintendent/etc. Being able to offer the school something other than "I'm a history teacher," can help you get a job. Otherwise, finding a position may be a challenge.

Sciences & Math are definately the way to go, if you can do so. Physical Education and special ed also give you a decent chance at finding a job.

Have you considered retraining in the healthcare field? This is one part of our economy which continues to grow and has many jobs to offer. You are still a teacher to your patients, just not in a classroom setting.

Very High Paying Potential (>100,000 peak)
Physician Assitant (2 1/2 - 3 years)

Good-High pay potential (usually can be learned in vocational programs) :
Histology Technician (my very exp histotech at former office made $70,000-$75,000)
Radition Technologist
Radiology Teahnician
Ultrasound Technologist
physical therapy assistant

many, many others.

Some of the above jobs could lead into management positions at the medical office as well...

Just some thoughts. Good luck.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I am a teacher/professor serving as faculty at St. Louis University. I'm responsible for the dermatology education of SLU's family practice residents.

I know this is not the type of teaching you are interested in pursuing, but I have some thoughts on your potential career change.

It has been my experience that people entering history / social sciences / arts / music have a very, very difficult time finding jobs in those areas. So, if you really want to do that you better have something else that makes you stand out. Maybe you happen to be a well known basketball coach/football coach/know the superintendent/etc. Being able to offer the school something other than "I'm a history teacher," can help you get a job. Otherwise, finding a position may be a challenge.

Sciences & Math are definately the way to go, if you can do so. Physical Education and special ed also give you a decent chance at finding a job.

Have you considered retraining in the healthcare field? This is one part of our economy which continues to grow and has many jobs to offer. You are still a teacher to your patients, just not in a classroom setting.

Very High Paying Potential (>100,000 peak)
Physician Assitant (2 1/2 - 3 years)

Good-High pay potential (usually can be learned in vocational programs) :
Histology Technician (my very exp histotech at former office made $70,000-$75,000)
Radition Technologist
Radiology Teahnician
Ultrasound Technologist
physical therapy assistant

many, many others.

Some of the above jobs could lead into management positions at the medical office as well...

Just some thoughts. Good luck.

Oh nice, I am in grad school st SLU.

[ballyhoohoo]

I am thinking of either doing a Transition to Teaching program, (I have a Masters of Ed to be an AD already) or getting my MBA with a concentration in Health Care. I guess I have some thinking to do this weekend.

[Frambo]

It is a tough decision.

My son is switching out of the business school at Ohio U.. He wants to coach football and talked about getting into teaching. I agree with MOHR5150 in that it has changed quite a bit since I started in 1977. I convinced my son to instead enter OU's Sports Management program and he is now starting to help with OU's football team...hopefully getting out of the filming platform and on to the field soon.

[stophorseabuse]

My oh My my friend!

I have been teaching high school history and coaching football for 6 years in Valdosta Ga, and North Fl. Next year I am transitioning into special education as an inclusion teacher (very rewarding, and real fun when you do inclusion).

Anyway, I love teaching, and the reason I moved was because there was not a F'n thing in Ohio for history. NOT ONE POSITION, which is actually common as most schools run with serious nepotism.

The reports of it getting tougher are true. Many times you make no instructional decisions for yourself, and content is put in sequence, scope, and even script which you are required to carry out. I spent last summer creating such curriculum for the ACT in Iowa (a very good curriculum I might add) but I realized I was helping make teachers robots who simply teach to tests. Also, politics that run within school districts are atrocious. A huge Urban district is your best bet to avoid politics. TRY COACHING FOOTBALL IN VALDOSTA GEORGIA. WOW THE POLITICS.

In 2-3 years my wife and I (and son) are moving to Chicago. With my specialist and her BA(biology) we will combine to make 125K. We have carefully calculated the move by selecting our teaching fields.

In addition, In Chicago after 20 years (as long as you are 55) You can retire at 50% of the average of your 3 best years. For my wife and I this will be plus 100K each, as we will make +200k combined at the end. 100K a year at retirement for the 2 of us, at 55, plus other investments is very comfortable. If you went there and started teaching by 35 you could live the 'dream'. Only problem, if you teach in Chicago Public you MUST live in city limits.

Good luck with it and I will help you in any way I can.
________
RL (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Acura_RL)

[XURunner85]

My aunt spent many many years teaching in the Chicago Public Schools system. The one thing she hated was that they would tranfer her to schools that were in bad places on the south side, where parents did not care what their kids did and the kids didn't care either. Earlier in her career she had been at better places. She was able to take 2 to 3 years off paid for vacation and personal time that she had saved up. Then retired. After that she became a part time teacher aid at my old grammer (Catholic school) which she enjoyed since she is only 8 blocks away. Now she is fully retired in her upper 70's and enjoying retirement.

[kmcrawfo]

Oh nice, I am in grad school st SLU.

I am not actually located on site at SLU. I am East of the city at Scott AFB. The SLU FP residents actually train at St. Elizabeths Hospital and Scott AFB Hospital, so my time actually on SLU's main campus is virtually zero.

By the way, what are you studying? I've always wondered when I saw the St. Louis location on your messages what you were doing in the city.

[kmcrawfo]

I am thinking of either doing a Transition to Teaching program, (I have a Masters of Ed to be an AD already) or getting my MBA with a concentration in Health Care. I guess I have some thinking to do this weekend.

Being able to be an AD and teach history might be a good selling point. Healthcare administration is a great field to get involved in. Especially, in parts of the country where managed care is more dominant. I have some close friends who are doing very well in that field and they all had good job offers before they finished their programs.

Regardless of what you choose, best of luck.

[gladdenguy]

I am a third grade teacher now in the Oak Hills School District for the first year.
This will be my fourth year teaching. I will probably go into administration in the next 4 or 5 years.
But having these summers off, consistent raises, and lots of family and sports time is wonderful. I might push back the administration because that is just more responsibility in the summer. I don't know if I want that.
But teaching is great.
I would highly recommend it. There are always coaching opportunities as well.
Again, that would go cut into my watching sports and family time.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I am not actually located on site at SLU. I am East of the city at Scott AFB. The SLU FP residents actually train at St. Elizabeths Hospital and Scott AFB Hospital, so my time actually on SLU's main campus is virtually zero.

By the way, what are you studying? I've always wondered when I saw the St. Louis location on your messages what you were doing in the city.

Physical Therapy. I am in my 6th year. (2nd grad school year). We have kids who have gone to and will be going to Scott AFB for clinical rotations.

[kmcrawfo]

Physical Therapy. I am in my 6th year. (2nd grad school year). We have kids who have gone to and will be going to Scott AFB for clinical rotations.

I've definately bumped into a couple of the P.T. students at Scott. Are you going to do a rotation there? If so, you should swing by the derm clinic. I'm two floors directly above the PT clinic, on the 5th floor.

P.T. is a great field. I tried to talk my sister into pursuing, but she decided to go in another direction. Where are you going to practice when you finish? Is this your last year?

[D-West & PO-Z]

I've definately bumped into a couple of the P.T. students at Scott. Are you going to do a rotation there? If so, you should swing by the derm clinic. I'm two floors directly above the PT clinic, on the 5th floor.

P.T. is a great field. I tried to talk my sister into pursuing, but she decided to go in another direction. Where are you going to practice when you finish? Is this your last year?

We have a total of 5 rotations and I am about to go on my 3rd in 2 1/2 weeks and I know I am going to phoenix for my 4th so for my 5th I am not sure where I will be but most likely not at Scott AFB.

Yeah this is my last year, I will be done next May. I am not sure where I will end up yet as a lot can happen in a year and I am not sure which specific setting I want to work in yet. If I had to guess right now I would say I would at least initially go back to Cincinnati. We will see though. The good thing is I will be able to find a job no matter where I want to go. I am ready to be done that is for sure.

[XUglow]

I taught school for 8 years, and I loved it. My daughter teaches as well, and she loves it. Where else are you going to get projects like this one?

http://www.extremeglow.com/Merchant4/graphics/00000001/science_fair.jpg