Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

Career-Switchers Flock to Teacher-Training Programs

Unemployment helps drive applications

Share

(Newser) – With unemployment soaring, interest is booming in teacher-training programs for people switching careers, the Washington Post reports. This year, a 20-city retraining program saw applications climb 30%; in many areas there’s more interest than jobs available, outside of science, math, and physical education. The surge could help avert likely shortages when baby boomers retire.

Alternative certification programs for people without backgrounds in education produce about a third of new teachers. Those who come from other careers can offer “maturity” and a solid knowledge of their subjects, the Post notes. “If you get rid of the hoops and hurdles, you can get some fantastic people to come into teaching,” says an expert. But others warn that the programs must be careful not to drop new teachers immediately “in the deep end of the pool.”

The surge could help fight a possible teacher shortage amid baby-boomer retirements.
The surge could help fight a possible teacher shortage amid baby-boomer retirements.   (Shutterstock)
The unemployment rate has helped teacher-training programs draw applications.
The unemployment rate has helped teacher-training programs draw applications.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
JaneMP
Jul 31, 09 11:17 AM CDT
As a career teacher, I'm delighted to see more enter the professional. However, I have a warning. It's not easy. Most people who enter teaching believe that all a teacher does is stand in the front of the classroom and, well, teach. I've seen 1/2 of the military secnd-career people leave after the first year because of the discipline problems. It's tough to be alone in a classroom and handle the problems so you can actually teach. Other 2nd career people leave because they believe "teachers get the summer off." Well, yes, but that's because MOST of us spend 50-60 hours a week teaching and preparing and grading papers and calling parents and taking our turn working the concession stand, etc. And many have to go back to school in tghe summer. Of course, the salary is better than unemployment but I have a master's degree and 30 years experience and earned $44,000 last year. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
mickey61988
Jul 31, 09 11:33 AM CDT
Wow! You deserve more,much more for a resume like that. I applaud you for hanging in there, I have a couple friends that are teachers and have heard some crazy stories about children acting out in class. I'm not sure I could maintain my composure under some of the more extreme circumstances.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
veloslug
Jul 31, 09 11:31 AM CDT
Our local district just laid of 25% (150) teachers. So class sizes & applicants for positions are both way up. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

17 Stories


 Writing's on the Wall 
 for the Chalkboard 

Some still attached, but whiteboards now rule classrooms

Oct 31, 09 6:46 AM CDT
(Newser) - If today’s kids don’t know what a record is, tomorrow’s won’t likely know what a chalkboard is, at least in the classroom. Whiteboards, without the lung- and computer-choking dust (to say nothing of their immunity to scratching nails) are taking over, with one supplier of both... More »

MORE ABOUT:
education • relics • teachers • students • chalkboards • whiteboards

Et tu, Barack? Teachers Lose Another Ally

Embattled unions don't want evaluation based on test scores

Sep 20, 09 5:35 PM CDT
(Newser) - Teachers union members are fuming over President Obama's desire to stay the course and evaluate educators based on student test scores, McClatchy reports. Obama is even threatening to withhold California stimulus money unless the state enshrines the student-teacher performance link into law. "It takes more than the ability to... More »

MORE ABOUT:
education • Barack Obama • California • reform • NAACP • teachers' unions • teachers • Arne Duncan • stimulus funds

 NYC Unemployment Hits 10.3% 

City given grant to help laid-off Wall Street workers retrain

Sep 18, 09 7:10 AM CDT
(Newser) - The Big Apple's unemployment rate hit double digits last month for the first time since 1993, the New York Times reports. At 10.3%, the rate is now higher than the national rate of 9.7%. State officials say continuing layoffs on Wall Street are to blame for the rise,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Wall Street • New York City • recession • unemployment • financial sector • job training

17 Stories


Business  •  Arts & Living 
TwitterFollow @NewserBusiness on Twitter

 
education • unemployment • training • teachers • second career • job training

from our news partners