Online Career Tips

Teaching as a Second Career

Perhaps you are considering a transition to a career in teaching in order to satisfy a burning desire to make a difference. Or, you may have accomplished all you can in your current profession but are still hungry to contribute to society in a meaningful way. You can derive a great sense of satisfaction from the teaching profession, and the good news is that there is a growing demand for professionals in our classrooms.

While transitioning to a new career might seem a daunting task, those with a degree and professional experience can find their way into the classroom more quickly than expected. In fact, the four-year traditional avenue to teacher certification is no longer the only means of qualifying for teacher licensure. Today there are a number of alternative routes, some of which can be completed within a year.

One such program, often referred to as a post-baccalaureate teacher preparation certification program or “post-bac,” is premised on the idea that a professional brings a wealth of experience that will transition into the classroom environment. The program focuses on the essential pedagogical course work required to become an effective teacher.  To aid to a smooth transition, teachers entering the classroom after completion of a post-bac program can further rely on the assistance of an administrator, department head, mentor teacher or team approach to teaching.

The main requirement to qualify for admission into a post-bac program is a bachelor’s degree that relates to the subject matter in which one wishes to teach.  As an example, while an engineer might have enough undergraduate credits to qualify as a secondary math teacher, he or she may need additional coursework to qualify as an English teacher.  Similarly, a nurse practitioner may qualify to teach science but not social studies.  A review of one’s college transcripts by an admissions advisor would allow a potential student to determine what background coursework would need to be taken in addition to education courses.

Whether you are considering a transition into the classroom after retirement or mid-career, you are likely to find a wealth of open positions. The projected increase in future student enrollment, combined with the anticipated retirement of baby-boomer educators, ensures that there will be a continued stream of employment opportunities. Your expertise will be in particularly high demand if you are qualified to teach math, science, or foreign languages, or if you possess the commitment to work with students with special needs.

Our future political, economic, and social leaders are students in today’s classroom.  They need strong role models who can share their knowledge and success with them in the classroom.  One should not enter the classroom without serious dedication to positively impacting today’s youth, but for those with such ambition, the post-baccalaureate route is a convenient and rewarding option.

You always dreamed of becoming a teacher, but the reality of classroom teaching isn’t quite what you hoped it would be. You’re not alone. Now you’re wondering what else you could do with that degree in education. You may be surprised at the possibilities.

Many teachers, those with less than five years experience and those that are close to retirement, wonder what other avenues are open to them outside the classroom. The most immediate and important answer is: do what makes you happy.

Transitioning from one career field to another can be a daunting task, but those with degrees and experience in education have a wide variety of career options. Teachers with good experience in the classroom can move up to the administrator level – get extra training and become a principal or work at the district level. Many teachers consider working for the myriad of education organizations out there. There’s also the option of becoming a corporate trainer – you’re still teaching, but in a different venue and with older students.  And you may consider going back to school; to earn another degree or even teach education to students interested in the profession.

If you’ve just received an advanced degree, remember that a Master of Education degree can qualify you to teach in private schools, in adult education, nonprofits, training facilities, and even children’s camps. You could even sell text books to school districts or develop curriculum for school districts or organizations.

Educators are also social workers, curriculum writers, guidance counselors, day care providers, private tutors, camp counselors and directors, and education outreach specialists for theatres, museums, zoos, and other cultural venues.

The classroom may be the best fit for a person with a degree in education, but there are other choices out there. Consider doing a Myers Briggs personality type assessment to gauge what most makes you happy. And read What Color is Your Parachute by Richard Nelson Bolles for great advice on taking on a new career.

Teachers and counselors face an overload of tasks – and information — as they gear up for the new school year. This free resource from American Public University System (APUS) can help: “Tips for Teachers” cards on key behavioral and student wellness issues.

“Our tips cards provide concise information on the challenges that teachers face every day in the classroom – challenges that keep students from succeeding,” says Craig Gilman, education markets manager for APUS, a distance learning institution that serves more than 50,000 students worldwide. APUS offers numerous graduate degrees in education, including instructional leadership, special education, and guidance and counseling.

Administrators and others nationwide have included the tips cards in training and professional development programs and for many other uses.

“The cards are an effective way to ensure teachers have the needed resources at their fingertips,” says Virginia Jones, data analyst at Halifax County, Va., public schools. “The cards provide thorough information, yet fit nicely into our information package. They are also kept at teachers’ desks for quick reference.”

‘Tips’ card topics

Gilman says the cards are another way the university helps new and veteran teachers be more effective in the classroom and support the total well-being of students.

“The free cards are also a token of our gratitude for all that today’s educators do,” says Gilman.

The cards address these issues:

• Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) – The card provides tips for recognizing students who may have ADD/ADHD. It also provides “best practices” for teaching students with the disorders and classroom accommodations to encourage better learning.
• Bullying intervention – Helps define bullying and recommends immediate intervention and follow-up strategies to support the victim. Ultimately, it helps modify the behavior of the student who is bullying, to help build a bully-free school environment.
• Recognizing child abuse and neglect – Highlights the major types of abuse, including physical, sexual and emotional maltreatment and neglect. It also describes behavioral and other changes that may indicate abuse.
• Teen depression and suicide – Summarizes the signs and symptoms of depression in teens and how it differs from adult depression. It also describes how to talk to teens who are depressed – and the dangers of untreated depression.

Training ideas

Administrators, counselors and teachers nationwide have found numerous uses for the cards:

• Classroom resource for teachers
• Professional training sessions provided by administrators and counselors
• “Welcome back” teacher packets for the new school year
• Resource for new teachers during initiation and site-based training and for
  substitutes who might not have formal training in these issues.
• Resource for parents who have children with ADD/ADHD or related concerns
• Resource for counselors and special education teachers, who incorporate
  their ideas into individual education plans or as a way to adjust teaching
  strategies to accommodate students’ needs.
• Resource to satisfy school district or state-mandated training requirements

How to request ‘Tips for Teachers’ cards

Administrators, counselors, teachers and others can visit our Tips for Teachers page to request cards or for more information regarding upcoming card topics. The 6-in. x 8-in. cards are laminated and can be tucked into many planning calendars.