Any teachers out there?

[ukie58]

I'm thinking of going into teaching but how do I know if it's for me? I've had a successful career as a graphic designer for almost 20 years - 10 of them self-employed and the past five years working for a small company with lovely people. But the company isn't doing that well and I have a gut feeling that perhaps I should start exploring alternatives. I'm also thinking that at the age of 45, maybe this is the time to make a career change. My priorities have changed and I'm not getting the satisfaction from my career anymore. I relate well to kids - having 2 teenage daughters with many friends. I'm thinking of going into teaching and would like to hear from other teachers about their jobs, why they chose this field, how they got into it and any other tips. Many thanks for sharing! Peace.

[abcpat]

I've been teaching for more than 25 years. I can't imagine doing anything else. It is the most rewarding experience of my life. Everyday I get the opportunity to make a difference in the life of children. I never know how far reaching my influence is extended.

During the last few years I've b\had many visitors in my classroom who are such people as yourself. They are in the process of changing careers later in their life. In January I will have a student teacher in my classsroom who is near the end of completing the process of changing careers.

I hope this helps.
abcpat

[manders]

Hi, I just registered for this community and that's why I'm replying to your message ten days after you posted it.

I have been teaching for four years in a private high school and before that, I home schooled my daughter for four years. I'm 45 just as you are. I adore teaching and I'm amazed at having found my niche after so many years of trying on different hats.

A number of things jump out at me in your post.

You say you have a gut feeling that it's time to explore alternatives. Gut feelings are very important. Is this coming from your company not doing well or your own readiness for change, or maybe a bit of both? If you can identify more of the reason for your restlessness, it may help you decide what direction you should move in.

Why do you think that 45 is a good time for a career change? There's no right or wrong answer to that question, but your personal answer should help you in your quest. It may reveal a shadow belief that is no longer valid.

Your priorities have changed and you are not feeling satisfied with you work anymore. What are your new priorities? Would teaching honor those priorities? What specifically is no longer satisfying? A lack of something? An addition that is uncomfortable? Unease because you are worried about the health of the company? Boredom with the work?

Let's see...my comments on teaching. I love working with teens. I teach Study Skills and work with our character development program, so I feel like I get to them right where they live. Our school is a boarding school, so we develop very close relationships with the kids that is both immensely satisfying and immensely draining. It's not easy to keep a balance.

I also love the process of teaching. I write my own curriculum, so I have tremendous control over my material, lesson plans, assessment methods, etc. I have to confess that teaching is a great outlet for my ham personality. Every class is like an ad lib performance. It works well for me to pour myself into it and then have breaks where I recharge.

Because this is a boarding school, we live and teach on campus and take most of meals here. I love the close community. I've learned a great deal at the lunch table from my peers.

A friend once gave me this quote when I needed it, "There is no way to be a perfect mom, but there are a million ways to be a great mom." The same could be said about teaching (or whatever!). Every teacher is different, has a unique style, dofferent strengths and weaknesses. I think it's important to be yourself, play to your strengths, and build in support to bolster up your weaknesses. Above all, be genuine. Don't try to model yourself after someone you are not. Kids can spot a phony a mile away and they don't trust them.

I suggest that you try it out before making a complete change. Work with a Sunday School class or tutor kids through your local school or community center. Don't think you can't - mostly what kids need is not about the content - it's about how to get the work done. Twenty years of work experience is exactly what you can give them.

Take a look at private schools. By law, teacher's in private schools do not have to be certified and don't even have to have a degree beyond high school (that may vary a little from state to state, but I believe it is governed by federal law). The school, however, may require more than that. I started teaching with no degreeand finished my BA last fall. The downside is that private schools pay far less than public in most cases.

Feel free to email me.