Switch to Teaching as Second Career (credit, how much, middle school)

[nhb_nova]

Hi All,

I am interested in teaching as my second career. I am a Masters in Biostatistics and Bachelors in Applied Mathematics. I have been working in health care as a data analyst for the past seven years. Would like to preferable join a career switcher program and then hopefully get a job as a math teacher at a private k-12 school.

I know it will be a pay cut and a huge one but at this time point in my life, I am looking to do something more fulfilling, personally i.e. impart knowledge and it will be a career move that will allow more flexibility in terms of work schedule and hours and also time off.

Looking for suggestions and advice

[tgbwc]

The work hours and schedule are pretty much set. I wouldn't call them flexible. It's not like you can go in later and stay later or leave early.

Do you need a certification to teach in a private school?

[nhb_nova]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

The work hours and schedule are pretty much set. I wouldn't call them flexible. It's not like you can go in later and stay later or leave early.

Do you need a certification to teach in a private school?

The "Career Switcher" Program, I was told, enables you to teach at public schools as well as accredited private schools because it first grants you the provisional license and then the teaching license upon completion.

Flexibility in terms of working part or full time, I heard

[Frostnip]

If you haven't done so already, volunteer or get a part-time position in a school. Find out whether you actually like being around assorted children all day and are capable of communicating well with them before you invest a ton of time and money into a program.

Private schools generally pay about 80% of whatever the local public schools pay, and the benefit package is seldom as strong. So if money is a consideration, that's something to keep in mind.

[NOVA_guy]

Like the poster above said, try doing it part time or volunteer if you can and make sure that you enjoy being in that sort of environment.

Also, in terms of flexibility some of it is there but there are still a lot of long hours, hours where you're working from home, etc. so I wouldn't make that the catalyst for you wanting to get into the field. I've never been a teacher but while I was in college I interned at a school and it's definitely not as lax as one would think so just make sure your heart is in it.

[choff5]

Totally agree with getting some volunteer experience and also shadowing the positions you are interested in before hand. I only worked in public education but am not sure how much is really there, either public or private, for part time positions. Also the idea that oh, you have the summers off isn't true if there is continuing Ed you need or want to do. Don't forget about evening work of grading and lesson planning, etc.

I realize this probably sounds like a downer on your idea. Don't want it to be just want to make sure you are realistic. There are great teachers who come out of other fields. Another idea you may check is being an adjunct at the local community colleges although I have heard they really don't pay well at all and could be too much part time. Good luck.

[nhb_nova]

Thanks all for your input. I agree with the comments above. I am at work 8-5 five days a week so not sure how the volunteer part time experience would work out.

Do you know if community colleges require teaching license and/or a PhD to teach?

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by nhb_nova

Thanks all for your input. I agree with the comments above. I am at work 8-5 five days a week so not sure how the volunteer part time experience would work out.

Do you know if community colleges require teaching license and/or a PhD to teach?

Not sure about all community colleges, but NOVA requires a master's degree, not a teaching license or PhD. There are also additional requirements based on the department and course(s).

[nhb_nova]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

The work hours and schedule are pretty much set. I wouldn't call them flexible. It's not like you can go in later and stay later or leave early.

Do you need a certification to teach in a private school?

What are the typical daily hours?

[HokieFan]

I work for a K-8 independent school. Our daily hours are 7:45am-4:00pm but I can assure you, our faculty work beyond those hours. A full-time teacher has very little flexibility in their schedules. Say goodbye to lunch hours - you'll probably have meetings or lunch or recess duty. It's a rare occasion for faculty to have the flexibility to leave campus for lunch or run errands.

Many are doing professional development during the summer or working summer camps to supplement their income. With closing meetings and opening meetings, and taking advantage of professional development, their "whole summer off" is more like one month off.

I agree with others. You should test the environment to see if teaching is a good fit. You mention K-12, and I'll just say that middle school students are the toughest teach. So you'll want to narrow down the age group as well.