Career Change to TeachingI am interested in changing my career path into teaching. I am thinking about starting out as a teacher in a daycare setting, but don' t have experience. How would I start and reflect my resume for this position? I have a Bachelor' s degree already and have lots of customer service and office experience. Any suggestions???? Start with hunting up the website for the School Districts nearest you. Most have programs to "fast track" people with BA/BS degrees but no teaching credential that want to be teachers. You could also try just calling day care centers and applying but most want people with some ECE credits first. It may be much easier to go the primary school route. Don' t do it. I am on this sight as a way to become informed about leaving the teaching profession. you have to invest a lot as far as time, energy, etc., but you see little return on your investment. You don' t say that your degree is in Education, but I think one thing beyond experience is showing that your education is supporting your career choice. It' s one of those jobs that is based largely on credentials more than anything else. However, as part of that educational path, you can gain experience. You' ll likely be required to do student teaching, which will give you some experience, as well as exposure and networking contacts. I can' t tell you how many people I know in the profession that end up substituting at schools they did student teaching at, and get hired in that same school or district as a result of proving themselves through substituting. If you can, you might also consider volunteering as a classroom aide, or to do "grunt work" similar to what volunteer parents can do in the classroom. That way, you' ll get to observe, get some exposure, make connections, and get some professional advice on how to pursue your path. With respect, I have to both agree and disagree with "swanieg." I agree that you do have to invest a lot of time, both in terms of your education and time at work. And, while I believe "swanieg" means financially in saying "little return on your investment," I think that' s a matter of personal values. I do agree that teachers are severely underpaid, but many of them will tell you, and I believe it to be true that, like nursing, social work, and many humanities-based professions, they don' t do it for the money - they do it for the time off. Just kidding!!! Coming from a family full of teachers, I know firsthand that they see the value and reward in making a difference in people' s lives. Any true educator at heart will tell you that there is nothing like seeing a former student many years later who has made a success of themselves, and knowing you had a part in their development and making them what they' ve become. Or seeing the moment when something you' ve been trying to teach them finally clicks and they "get it." It' s a job they' re called to do beyond the salary, and to them, seeing how they make a difference is a huge return on their investment. It' s not for everybody, but I think when it' s for you, you know it. Don' t go into teaching! I changed my career to go into teaching and went back to school. I worked in a private school for 4 years to gain experience while earning my degree. Now that I have my masters I have been trying to get a job working in the public school system in New York. Public school teachers obviously make more money and are offered more in terms of benefits. Right now I am working in a district as a sub. The chances of me getting my own classroom is very slim because there are other subs in front of me who have been working there for years hoping for the same thing. It could be years before I get my own class. And let me tell you, subs make no money. It is very difficult without benefits and you only get paid for the days you work. Don' t listen to the nonsense about the teacher shortage. There is only a shortage of teachers in bad neighborhoods or in subjects like math, science, special education, or esl. Do some research. Don' t jump into this. Because if I knew then what I know now, I never would have gone into teaching. People who aren' t in the profession have no idea what it' s like. Don' t listen to them. | |
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Career Tips
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