I have an engineering degree from a Big Ten university and recently decided that I want to have my summers off. I barely spend any of the money I make and could easily afford to make half of my engineering salary.
What I really want to do is be a high school physics teacher and head/assistant track/XC coach. What all do I need to do before I can make this happen? Keep in mind I already have an engineering degree.
Make sure you mention your reason in all of you interviews.
Lets take the fact that you have an engineering degree out of mind because it means ziltch in the world of education. I'd be interested to know how old you are. Anyway, you probably have a bunch of science requirements seeing as you majored in engineering, but you still have to obtain the education credits and that takes a lot of time in some states. So, as they say, I wouldn't quit your day job just yet.
Also, you will have to wait along time to become head coach and as an assistant on the high school level you don't really design training plans don't get too excited.
Summers off. Meh, not really a good enough reason to become a teacher yet it is the main reason many people do. But its overrated. What are you gonna do for 10 weeks knob off and run. Its actually a reason I don't want to be in education. And please understand that you start off at the lowest base salary know matter what in education and their is no expedient way to make more.
Depends what state you are in. I was in a similar position but also with a masters degree. I had to take about 18 credits and student teach 3 hours a day for 10 weeks. Now, in Michigan, I am sure will need an entire year of student teaching. One suggestion: Interview with 2 or more colleges before making a committment. There could be big differences in requirements. Good Luck!
twocents wrote:
What are you gonna do for 10 weeks knob off and run.
ideally,yes.
I mentioned the engineering degree because I plan to become a physics teacher.
What am I going to do for 10 weeks every summer? Um, everything I can't do with only 2 weeks off in my current position. Live out of the back of my minivan while traveling the western US. Climb mountains, kayak down rivers, jump off of cliffs into the ocean and wake up whenever the hell I want to.
At some point, you will find that you need to fill your summers with more work as your salary won't cut it. Also, wife... kids... life will ensue and you will need to make more to support them.
I love teaching and appreciate the summers off, but rarely is it the epic adventure that was planned.
I would disagree with teachers needing a summer job. There are many variables especially with where you live. My wife and I waited until early 30s to have kids and now I stay at home and she teaches. I make a little money but not much and we don't live like we are poor. We still go out to eat and on vacation but we are use common sense with our money and don't have debt aside from mortage.
One of my friends is a HS teacher and a mountain guide in the summer. Would you want to do something like that? (Hauling people up the mountain might get old after a while though.)
If he gets a wife with a decent job (another teacher maybe), he won't need to work in the summers. Unless he does something stupid like buy a house that is too big and too expensive.