Transitioning to high school teaching

[FPH]

I know this has been discussed on this board before, but I couldn't find a recent thread about it so I apologize.

I was curious if any ex-sports journos have been able to transition to high school teaching? I spent about four years in the newspaper industry, fortunately got out and now work a job that is stable but still not what I want to do long term. I live in a state where the ABCTE (http://abcte.org) is an option. Basically, it's an 8-10 month self-paced program to teacher certification. Anyone have experience with that track or something similar?

I'm not sure this is the career path I want to take either, but it's always been something I considered a back-up plan. Just hoping to hear from some people who have been through it.

 

[Mark2010]

I've thought about it. How much does the ABCTE program cost?

 

[Songbird]

1900 bucks -- $900 off!

 

[FPH]

It kind of varies by subject. I'm interested in history, which is $1,995 for the standard program and $2,450 for the ABCTE+ Program (which gives you more resources).

 

[Mark2010]

Wish their program was recognized in more places. I wonder how that compares with other certification programs.

I know a lot of high schools now have actual journalism/media programs, which almost no one did in my day. I'd like to teach that and/or history/government.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

Do it. Do IT!

I did, and I couldn't be happier. I didn't do the program you are discussing. I went back to school to get my masters. The program is a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT). It is designed for people with a bachelor's degree but with no previous education courses.

I went from making crap, crap insurance and retirement, working ungodly hours, and getting more and more piled on every day to a huge pay raise, great insurance, state retirement, holidays, being appreciated.

I really like what I do, and feel like I make a difference.

Right out of the gate, I started making $10K more than I ever made in the newspaper business and probably $12K more than I did my last year. Factor in not having to pay for insurance, and the raise is even greater. (*My pay was bumped because of the 4 years I spent in the Navy and coaching supplement)

 

[FPH]

I'd love to go back for a master's but still have way too much debt from my undergrad.

 

[FPH]

It requires 60 contact hours in a school. I think there's also a mentor program. Not sure about the inner city/low-income thing. That'd definitely be a concern.

 

[Mark2010]

Shoeless Joe,

What subjects do you teach? You teach high school, right? How long did the master's program take?

 

[Shoeless Joe]

I teach English IV and journalism. I am also certified for secondary history and all four subject areas in middle school. Although I am certified to teach middle school math, I am in no way capable of it, though!

The program I went to can be completed in about a calendar year. You do eight intensive classes (one at a time, two nights a week) May-December, then do a semester of student teaching.

 

[expendable]

I went through a similar program offered through my state's community college system. I now teach photojournalism and advise the yearbook staff. The pressures are different, but I wouldn't go back. My regret is that I didn't go into teaching back in the day, as I'd be over halfway to retirement. I'll add more later, or feel free to PM me.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

I went through a similar program offered through my state's community college system. I now teach photojournalism and advise the yearbook staff. The pressures are different, but I wouldn't go back. My regret is that I didn't go into teaching back in the day, as I'd be over halfway to retirement. I'll add more later, or feel free to PM me.

I became the unofficial yearbook editor. The advisor asked me if I cared to look over a couple pages one day, and I said sure. The next thing I know, I'm copy editing the whole thing. I crank them back in a matter of seconds, and one of the kids said, "He's like a machine. How's he do that?" The advisor just laughed and told them I had a little bit of experience copy editing pages on a tight deadline.

I wish I had made the move to teaching 10 years before I did, and I really wish I made it 20 years before I did. All that is from a selfish point of view though, thinking about all the toiling I did in newspapers and how close I'd be to retirement. From a professional standpoint, I think having worked and lived in the real world all those years makes me a better teacher. I can relate experiences to and advise my kids in ways people who have never done anything outside of education can.

 

[BillyT]

I did an MAT in two years back in the early 90s and worked full-time at the paper the first year and part-time the second year (student-teaching is practically full-time).

I was lucky to have a supportive paper that really needed someone to pick up auto racing coverage, which was one of the main things I did.

Taught for 16 years and loved it.

Back in newspapers now, because we had to move.

A lot of whether you can get a job depends on where you are.

 

[LanceyHoward]

It kind of varies by subject. I'm interested in history, which is $1,995 for the standard program and $2,450 for the ABCTE+ Program (which gives you more resources).

Back in the day it could be difficult for a male teacher to land a history job unless they could also coach. The history and P.E. jobs were basically saved for coaches. I don't know if that is still true where you live but I would check.

 

[Corky Ramirez up on 94th St.]

I'm in my first year of teaching high school sophomore English. I'm lucky ... I'm in a good school with respectful students. It's actually where I student taught. This was after a 14-year career at a newspaper. The transition, for me, was fine. I like working with students, so I'm glad I made the move. Whether this is the final stop for me is yet to be seen; I could see myself trying to get back into writing at the college communications level in a couple of years, but I also could see myself staying here for a long time (so long as the B of E doesn't decide to hack and slash). It's a good move and I'm glad I did it. It all depends on where you are, if you have a supportive staff and the kids aren't off the wall. All three worked in my favor, so far.

 

[TopSpin]

If you haven't dealt with high school kids in a classroom, beware!

A friend who is a TV producer and director temporarily left the business a few years ago to teach broadcast journalism at a high school. He lasted less than two years teaching before returning to media. He told me the hardest thing he dealt with was connecting with the students and he was in his late 20s when he taught.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

I transitioned from a non-journalism career into HS teaching & have been doing it now 8 1/2 years. Somewhat different than your situation because it's a private school, but if I can be helpful PM me.

 

[vonnegutnaked2]

Did an MAT program four years ago and it was a great decision. Make more money (though I switched schools and took a cut to do that), actually see my wife, enjoy the students.

It is a major change and I do miss the deadlines/writing on occasion, but don't miss scrambling for story ideas and the toxic newsroom environment I left behind. I did the journalism/yearbook thing at a decent sized high school and you get a great crew of kids doing that. Now I'm handling college dual credit English and speech classes. So, outside of my student teaching, I haven't had to deal with jerkish kids.

I'd answer anything about the transition. It is a major change, but I had a great support system including a wife who teaches.

 

[expendable]

I went through a similar program offered through my state's community college system. I now teach photojournalism and advise the yearbook staff. The pressures are different, but I wouldn't go back. My regret is that I didn't go into teaching back in the day, as I'd be over halfway to retirement. I'll add more later, or feel free to PM me.

I became the unofficial yearbook editor. The advisor asked me if I cared to look over a couple pages one day, and I said sure. The next thing I know, I'm copy editing the whole thing. I crank them back in a matter of seconds, and one of the kids said, "He's like a machine. How's he do that?" The advisor just laughed and told them I had a little bit of experience copy editing pages on a tight deadline.

I wish I had made the move to teaching 10 years before I did, and I really wish I made it 20 years before I did. All that is from a selfish point of view though, thinking about all the toiling I did in newspapers and how close I'd be to retirement. From a professional standpoint, I think having worked and lived in the real world all those years makes me a better teacher. I can relate experiences to and advise my kids in ways people who have never done anything outside of education can.

I agree. My students do, too, as I will quickly call BS on some of the things we run across in our out-of-date textbook. I've ditched the damn book.

 

[Bradley Guire]

Definitely something I'd look into if I could find the money. I've applied for loans, grants, scholarships, all denied. Still owe too much on my worthless BA.