Comments on: Second-Career Teachers…Aren’t we All?

By: Laura A. Brown

Laura A. Brown — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:02:19 +0000

Heather,
As a second-careerer myself, I had to chuckle all through your article. I always planned on getting a teaching credential after working as a newspaper journalist, but it was a long and winding road to get here! I just finished earning my credential and am (eagerly, anxiously) awaiting word to hear if I’ve been hired as a 7th/8th Language Arts teacher. It’s exactly your shared concept of self-discovery that I want to pass on to “my” students. Every skill they learn from every experience will pay off sooner or later! That is, if they’re keeping their eyes and heart open to learning in any environment or life opportunity.
So tell me, how do the straight-out-of-school twentysomethings react to us second-careerers?

By: Tweenteacher

Tweenteacher — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:10:09 +0000

Absolutely right. I don’t believe that just anyone can teach. Many times people entering the field, whether it be a 1st-timer or second-career-er (?), they assume that content knowledge is all they need to teach. But they soon realize that the ability to communicate is arguably more important and one that needs its own full-time program to begin to learn. Good teachers are those who spend a lifetime deepening their content knowledge and broadening their ability to reach more learners.
Talk to you soon.
-Heather W-G

By: Tweenteacher

Tweenteacher — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:06:12 +0000

What an interesting point about retirement and one that I frequently forget! Doesn’t seem fair, does it? About your point about being 23 and teaching in a “classroom filled with children who are only a few years younger,” as a person who is only 5′ tall, I thought the same thing. But, trust me, if you have good classroom management, they’ll see you as the authority no matter what your age, height, etc…
Good to hear from you, Mike.
-Heather

By: Mike Albert

Mike Albert — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:31:01 +0000

As a second career professional who entered education after 20 years in retail management, I definitely think that I benefited from my prior experience. I can’t imagine being 23 years old and teaching in a classroom filled with children who are only a few years younger.

My concern is that teachers in California face the Windfall Elimination Provision in Federal Law, which reduces our Social Security benefits because we will receive payments from Calstrs. This also pertains to firefighters and law enforcement, but very few people go into police or fire service midcareer, but obviously teachers do.

By: David Cohen

David Cohen — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:14:31 +0000

I see your point – we all bring something to the job, even in the form of our activities and odd jobs. For me, there’s a lot of theater background, along with some music, radio, and television production jobs – the non-glamorous, behind-the-scenes type. (Highlight – I threw a pass to Lynn Swan during a game of catch during a free moment the day before an ABC college football broadcast).

But at the same time, I think we should recognize key differences in teachers who spent years in a full-time, non-education profession before teaching. Those with whom I work really have a set of skills and experience that brings something special to our school.