AboutPatricia Ireland-Williams Expertise I am a retired K-12 Public School Principal (8 years as a teacher and counselor) and 23 years as an administrator. I can help parents with questions about how the system works, provide ideas on how to solve school issues or assist teachers in coping with the plethera of stressors they face.
Experience I am currently an educational consultant and have served on the State of Arizona Solutions Team.
Question I was wondering if u had any advice or information on how to become a teacher, by evening study or online. Im 26 and in full time employment, I have a reasonable leavin cert and third year qualification. I would prefer to teach primary but am not restricting myself to it. Also, would it be considered taboo for a man of my age to take it up now, and how would i be viewed? Cheers.
Answer Darren.........
You can obtain the information you need from your state's educational certification department(I am assuming that you are in the U.S.A.) You will need at least a 4 year degree (some states require a Masters)in a subject matter of your choice in addition to a specific number of hours for a minor in education. Universities run on line courses as well as evening classes but of course, that will take you longer. At some point you will have to do day classes in order to do internships and student teaching which are rigourous and occur in actual school settings with experienced teachers and their students.
I would suggest that you go to the University you intend to enter and talk to a guidance counselor in order to determine how long it will take you taking classes part time. You might also benefit from taking a career inventory in order to assess if you are suited for a career in education. Teaching is a tough job, has long hours and low pay. The rewards are many and relate to intrinsic values of helping affect the future.
In terms of your age, I don't think that is even relevant in that many people enter the educational field after they leave another career field. I have had beginning teachers as old as 50 (retired engineers, lawyers, military personnel, business owners etc. who wanted a second career.
Best wishes in your pursuit of the field..........
