Transitioning to high school teaching

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.

 

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

 

1900 bucks -- $900 off!

 

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).

 

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.

 

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)

 

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

 

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.

 

Shoeless Joe,

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

 

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.

 

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.