Good morning all!
As some of you know, I worked in the business world for a few (~17!) years before walking away to pursue teaching as my dream, “second” career. This Saturday, November 14th, I’ll be attending my first BarCamp Philly, an event I missed last year. (Here’s a great backgrounder.)
I’m am considering a proposing a session on teaching as a second career. I don’t know if the session will run, and I’m prepared to lead the discussion, but I wanted to ask YOU to chime in here (and possibly via Skype or whatever on Saturday). Please reply in the comments if you care to respond to my questions below, and also note if you might be able to join us virtually via Skype etc. sometime on Saturday. Finally, if you know someone who is a second (or third!) career teacher, please point them here as well!
Anyway, here are my questions:
- Why did you choose teaching (or school administration) as a second (or subsequent) career?
- What keeps you in the field of education?
- What advice do you have for others who are considering the move?
EDIT: You can also answer questions via this Google Form set up by Richard Byrne
I’m so excited about Barcamp Philly I could just spit. I’m going with a small group of cool people in my PLN in an effort to learn new things from new people and escape the infamous “EdTech echo chamber” for a while. It will undoubtedly bring back memories of the years I spent working in Philadelphia; I had a front-row seat when the Dot-Com Bubble burst. Ah, the memories…
See you in Philly!
-kj-
7 responses so far ↓
1 Fiona Joyce // Nov 12, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I have completed your Google form. Am a UK Languages teacher who is very happy in her 2nd career.
2 Clint Buhs // Nov 12, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for bringing up this conversation, Kevin. I’ve been in a number of jobs in my life, so teaching would be far from a “second” career, but it’s always been in the back of my mind. I’ll be watching to see what comes of this.
3 Joe Ocando // Nov 12, 2009 at 1:33 pm
1) currently a chemist/former middle school sci/math teacher
1&2) enjoy sharing knowledge..wanted to level playing field for low SES areas..public education is very different in poorer parts of the US.
As a Teach For America alum I stay on as a p/t consultant for science education. TFA boasts a 63% retention rate for alum that stay directly within education, however I am not one of them. Before leaving Harlem I stayed on for most of a third year to implement a highly effective after-school algebra program for our collaborator-the Children’s Aid Society. As a scientist I would like to see increasing US citizen enrollment rates for graduate STEM programs.
3) Do it..it will be by far one of the greatest things you will ever do..even while teaching I knew it to be a universal truth :- ) http://bit.ly/25HiDO
4 Fran Lo // Nov 12, 2009 at 6:35 pm
1. I was volunteering with middle school kids and realized it was the most fun I ever had. I decided right then that I had to get into teaching, and teaching middle school kids.
2. What keeps you in the field of education? The fun and challenge of working with the kids, and the creativity I get to use every single day.
3. This is a profession that can consume you, so make time for yourself and create absolute limits. I never check my school email after supper – that means I don’t have to fret about some nastygram that will interfere with relaxation and sleep.
5 Leonard Gabriel // Nov 13, 2009 at 12:58 am
I worked for 25 years in NYC providing creative services to advertising agencies, and design studios. I found it to be a very exciting business and it gave me a source of energy that I thrived upon. However, nothing last forever especially a creative business and technology came and virtually eliminated the entire industry. With a skill set tailored for an obsolete industry I found it very difficult to find work, it was a bleak time.
At that time my wife, who was an art teacher when we first married decided to go back to teaching after starting and running a designer jewelry business for 17 years. I helped her create some lesson plans and decide, “Hey, I could do this”.
I became an art teacher and learned that what I am doing is more than teaching art. I actually create critical learning experiences by asking “what if “ questions, and these experiences help the learner to create ideas. I help them recognize this as the creative process and if they grow confident in it and use it as a strategy beyond art, I can affect the child on a global level. I help them believe in themselves as a source of ideas because I believe in them. I share in their creative process and in their success.
I have found teaching to be very similar to being in business, in that the classroom is much like my own business and I am the driver of what and how much happens there. Having to deal with the ups and downs of business I don’t find obstacles where others do in my profession. The enthusiasm I have is self-replicating; enthusiasm creates energy, which creates enthusiasm.
I find that I thrive in teaching, currently there is a lot of change happening in education and I am constantly meeting new and innovative people. I believe we are on the verge of an extremely creative period that will last far beyond the years I will teach. There is no telling where this career will take me.
6 Bethany Smith // Nov 13, 2009 at 8:14 am
I just came across this on Free Tech for Teachers. At my college (NCSU) we have multiple ways to assist 2nd career teachers, and I’m lucky enough to get a chance to work with most of them on utilizing technology in the classroom. If you need to connect to anyone that works with these teachers I can forward on some names. I’ll also pass this onto our “students”
http://ced.ncsu.edu/profed/alternative/
http://ced.ncsu.edu/profed/NCTEACH/
http://ced.ncsu.edu/profed/mat/
7 Brian B // Jan 9, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Hello,
My name is Brian Bowen, I am a doctoral student at the University of Delaware conducting a study on second career mathematics teachers. I would like to add to the knowledge base to better help the preparation of second career teachers. I am offering $10 to willing, qualified, and selected participant to complete a questionnaire. Please contact me at brianpbowen@gmail.com if your are interested in helping.
Thank you
Brian
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