Going *back* into teaching...

[Halfasianmomma]

Hi mamas,

I've got a traditional B.Ed. teaching English and moral education at the secondary level; I graduated in 2001. I did my teaching internship and got "hired" at the school where I did my last internship, only to be let go soon after because I was a loud mouth and stepped on the wrong person's toe. Afterwards, I left the province and taught in a small Saturday school for at risk children experiencing learning difficulties, while obtaining a diploma in musical theater performance (totally unrelated, I know!). I did that for a few years. Then I worked for a private tutoring company teaching everything (French, Spanish, English, organizational skills and even translation). Eventually the company went under and I opened up my own business with a few ofthe students I rescued from the other company. This was back in 2007.

Since then, I've been working in offices (bank, law firm), as an administrative assistant. I had DD in 2008. The money is great, the insurance is great, but the job itself...ugh it's so boring and at times demeaning.

I'm considering a return to teaching, not for the money (which is pretty bad here in Quebec), not for the supposed summers off, but because working in an office is just soul sucking and depressing. I miss being in contact with kids, and I miss teaching. I'm a bit scared of taking a severe pay cut to go back into teaching (would be around 10K less a year), and I remember how much prep work and corrections are involved in teaching language arts, so I know that the first few years will be tough...

I'm wondering if any other mamas have "returned" to teaching after a hiatus. If so, what was your experience like? Did you have young children to care for during this time?

[Magistra]

I am finishing up my application to teach full time (Language Arts!) this fall after five years of grad school, part-time subbing, and having another baby this past February. The big issue is putting our second son into daycare by 6 months instead of 18 months, as we did with our first son. Although my partner's current job brings in enough for our expenses, but a layoff earlier in the year makes us want me to have a job that's fairly stable to give us some options for health insurance and the like. Plus, I really like teaching and she isn't crazy about her job.

I do see a big advantage in being on the same basic schedule as our older son. Since I still plan on finishing my PhD, I may eventually pursue teaching at the university level, but that's probably for when he's out of grade school at least.

[Halfasianmomma]

Thanks for the response Magistra. Do you think, considering where you live, that you'll be able to get a full-time teaching position at one school or do you expect to have to take a mismash of left over classes at different schools? This is also something that concerns me because it seems that teachers here in Quebec always start out having to teach at 2 or 3 different schools for a few years before they can win the priviledge of having their own classes in one single school (well this is the case in the public sector...I know nothing of the private sector).

[daisymama12]

I've thought about it, a lot, but have not taken the plunge. I haven't taught since the mid-90's!!!

Pros: Same schedule as the kids, and I love teaching the younger grades. I also like having another life outside of my family, and enjoy the school environment.

Cons: Not much flexibility - what to do if the kids are sick? I'm not sure how great I'd be at classroom management, it's been SO long. My certification is for high school, but I would much prefer teaching early primary school. Pay decrease - maybe not overall, but decrease in amount per hour worked if that makes sense. I work as a consultant, at home, which allows a fair amount of flexibility.

[Magistra]

Originally Posted by Halfasianmomma

Thanks for the response Magistra. Do you think, considering where you live, that you'll be able to get a full-time teaching position at one school or do you expect to have to take a mismash of left over classes at different schools?

I'm in a fairly rural area and there's only one middle school and one high school in our district. There's a chance I'll have to start at less than full-time, but as long as I get three classes (.6 time), I'll be eligible for health care and the benefits we want in place in case my partner's job situation changes.

I would, however, be teaching on my second endorsement, which is an area with which I'm not as comfortable as my first, so the first couple years will require more prep. On the plus side, it looks like I would have no more than 2 preps (from looking at the master schedule while I was subbing), so my extra work would carry over to multiple classes.

[Halfasianmomma]

daisymama...do you know what's involved in going from secondary education to primary education? My degree is in secondary education so I'm not certain if I'd be able to make the switch easily...

[marasmom]

To go from secondary education to elementary education you probably would have to go back to school to get your elementary certification.

[Magistra]

I think that, in my state at least, you can add another certification level by taking the education courses that are specific to that level. I think that four of the six courses (including student teaching) for my secondary-level certification are used for any K-12 program. Elementary requires seven courses, so there are two specific to it, and I'm not sure if student teaching would need to be redone. They also have a requirement for a certain number of college credits in your subject area (for 7-12) and general distribution (for K-6). The K-6 credit requirements looked to me like most people would probably meet them via a university's core courses.

I've been doing everything for my certification online, aside from a few hours of observations, and I think more and more locations are developing programs like this. It makes it so much easier for me to juggle my various responsibilities right now and, aside from student teaching, I can determine my own schedule right now.