I've been offered a teaching position, I wonder if I should take it.

A little about me first.
Im 41 years young...Ive had my own custom shop for sixteen years, been in many bike and automotive mags. Love hate relationship with the shop forever, mostly because I always felt I would give my heart and soul but the customers...........you know how customers can be. I always delivered more than expected.
Last December, the guy I had a lease with comes in the shop and says, " I hate to tell you this, but the bank is getting this shop and you need to get done and be out in 30 days". I guess he didnt pay his bills, because I was never late on mine. So anyway.....I was like THANK GOD. I finally can get out of this 50-80 a hour a week hell hole. So Ive been doing odd jobs here and there since then......just scratchin by. But Im happy.
This morning I get a call from a friend who has an inside to the local high school, they have started a paint class, collision, custom, you name it. I was offered a teaching job there. Im scared, I would love to show what I know to kids. I think the rewards would be great, but what about the negative, I dont know what the negatives are. Im sure thinking about taking the job. I would love to hear from some teachers on this, or anyone for that matter. I think this might be a good thing, but dont want to jump in it and let anyone down if I dont like it.
Thanks in advance for real advice, Later, BISHOP.

 

id say go for it.
think of the summer time off.
teaching the young.
but be prepared for the little assholes.
i know i would have loved a class like that, my shop teacher sucked.

 

Getting paid to do what you love, passing on your passion to the next generation (if kids sign up, they already like cars and want to learn!), great hours, summers off, good benefits...................

...........I'd take it if you have the experience and knowledge! (Not saying you don't, just I haven't met you!)

Good luck!

 

If you like to work with kids, the rewards can be the greatest you'll ever know excepting marriage, and fatherhood.
If you bristle at the sight and sound of authority, can't talk without saying some flavor of curseword every 3 minutes, don't get it safety comes first and that means you too, can't handle paperwork BEFORE it is due, can't or won't play the political game, or hustle/hassel everything that wears a skirt...it's not for you.

 

Kids of that age are tough to deal with. As long as you understand that the job is only half time. (half time teacher, half time cop) then go for it.
I was an elementary teacher for 4 years. The administration then moved me up to Junior High. Jr high and up kids are great one on one, but act like idiots in groups.
I'd say you should give it a try. You can always leave if its not your bag. There are great rewards and fulfillment in teaching.

 

I teach 6th grade, but used to coach high school kids. Teaching is very rewarding if you come in knowing you're not their friend, but also that they deserve to be respected as people. If you treat them firm but fair and establish good classroom managment at the start, the rest is gravy. In a class like you're describing, a good teacher could make a difference in the lives of some kids who may have talents that don't necessarily lie in the traditional subjects.

 

If the kids get to pick your class as an elective you may get some kids that will actually learn something and that will be very gratifying.
If you get a bunch of "modern kids" looking for some place to hide for one or two periods it would be a drag.
The curriculum would be a head scratcher. Could you keep the basic stuff fresh enough so you don't get bored "tryin' to teach a bunch of smarty-pants young-uns" your craft?
I remember a couple of "Monster Garage" Discovery Channel deals where a shop teacher got good participation, I think that would be a hoot!

 

I used to work for a Vocational Tech school in a support position, but spent some time around the different programs and always seemed like every class had a few that were just killing time, but also had their share of students that really wanted to learn. I then had a great opportunity to teach an autobody class at night and it was a blast. I would say go for it. Also on a personal note the benefits such as insurance and retirement are some of the best around. One thing you will probably end up being required to do is take some classes and get your teacher certification at least that is the way Oklahoma works, but I think it is well worth it. I would say go for it!

 

My wife teaches elementary school. A totally different animal from what you're considering, but it seems the cons would be the same - parents and school administrators. You'll always have good and bad parents. Those who appreciate the direction you give their child, and those who think you're an asshole regardless of what you do. My wife had one kid that was a real pain - a little psycho. The kid intentionally blinded the class bunny rabbit - at six years old. Just an evil little bastard, and the parents are in complete denial that the kid has issues and gave my wife a hard time every time they had to meet about the kid - which was often. She also was taken by surprise by some of the bureacracy of the school system, which she found really discouraging at times.

Most of the time the satisfaction she got from the kids, and seeing them learn far outweighed the negatives. I'd say go for it. Teacher contracts are reviewed and renewed annually. If you hate it, worst case scenario you stick it out for ten months and find something else in June. Best case you find a satisfying new career.

 

I taught high school freshmen science for 5 years in southern California. It was literally the hardest and most draining job I have ever had. Most of the kids were just regular kids, but some of the knuckleheads were just awful. My class was required and most of the students have been conditioned to assume it is hard and boring, so they come in with some negative attitudes. It was making me into a grumpy old man before my time, so I went back into private enterprise.
From my experience if I were you I would ask yourself are you a "people" person, can you be firm and fair, and are you organized for presentations and paperwork. Don't think in terms of short hours or summers off. If you want to do a good job, you'll be there lots of hours, for the first few years. Half the teachers end up working summers for the money. The deal is if you can build a respectful relationship with the students and they believe you really want to help them, it can be a great job. Teaching an elective makes it somewhat easier. Trust your gut. Here in California, one-half of teachers quit teaching in the first five years.
You can ask the school if you can go observe some classes before you make a decision. Good luck, Brian

 

One would think that a shop class would be where kids go to learn, and they may not take the attitude along like in English or math. The first day, if you can inspire ideas and thoughts, you will have them in your hand for the semester. Good luck!

 

I would say go for it...

If they weren't systematically shutting down the vocational courses around here, I would have gone for my teaching credential after I finished my degree.

My wife teaches high school, and I'd be lying if I said it were a breeze, but getting paid to teach what you know, and assert some control over how you teach it, as well as insurance and benefits? Seems to be a dream!

Not to mention you will still have some equipment at your disposal, and wont have to worry about the overhead...

I am envious...

Go for it!

 

Without a doubt go for it, you'll never be sorry. I was a teacher for a few years and loved it and the kids were great and fun. Just think no more cheap asses trying to get cheap work from you. All you need to be is a good communicator and be well organized and make good lesson plans. Good luck.

CRUISER

 

This is good advise

 

Go for it

 

Bishop,

I had the same love hate relationship with my job, but because of the money I stuck with it.
I like kids and have loved working on cars my whole life, (drag raced for 10+ years, built my first hot rod at 15) and have always thought how neat it would be to teach kids. I'm now in my 60's and now regret not giving it a try.

My second wife was a 7th grade teacher in a very difficult Inner City School (this was a school that took all the problem kids the other schools didn't want). She came from corporate USA and didn't take any crap from the kids, and they absolutley addored her. She was by far the best teacher I have ever known and I can say it was difficult for her and I, but there was a bond between them, and this I really admired, and she did make a difference in their lives because kids did come back to see her after moving on.

If you want to do this for yourself and the kids (I would think most high school students that would be in your class would want to be there, not forced to be there) I think it would be the best of both worlds, teaching young kids about cars/hot rods and life would be really outstanding. Pitfalls, low pay, political crap, and getting the kids to trust and respect you, although that latter may not be that hard depending on what kind of personality you have.

If I were in your shoes, I'd do it in a heartbeat...............but that's me.

Let us know what you decide.

 

Check with and on your administrator. If it is a place to dump kids, you are going to have your hands full. Make sure that he or she understands that you are not going to keep anyone that doesn't want to be there. If it is a place for people that want to learn, you will never have a better place to work. I've seen more than one case where a good shop teacher tuned a kid that was headed for trouble into a good tax-paying member of society.
Good luck.
Pete

 

I've you're used to doing things your own way, I'd think long and hard about it... I taught high school auto and metal shop for 8 years before moving into a position at Wyotech. The way things are done in education will NOT make sense to you if you've run your own show for awhile. Also, look at the student population at the school you'd be working in. If the ethnic population is a problem, it may not be a good idea.

Having said that, if you can live with the bureaucracy and the demographic, it's a VERY rewarding job. Just understand that you will get a certain percentage that don't care; no matter how fun and interesting you make the curriculum. If you truly want to pass your knowledge on, MORE POWER TO YOU. If you're thinking that the best three things about teaching would be June, July and August, forget it...

PS Good on the district for actully starting up a NEW VocEd class! We're seeing way too many programs go the other way...

 

There is a great deal of good advice (and experience) on this board on this subject, and I'm going to chime in as well as this one as well. I've been working with a high school district in So Cal for over twelve years, ten of those teaching mostly freshman.

Anyway, primarily it comes down to this: do you enjoy working with teenagers? Not kids, but teenagers? Do you think you'd be able to work with all of them, objectively, even when you personally don't like them, or when they piss you off?

Not all of those kids are going to share your love of all things automotive - they'll be taking the class because their buddies are, or because they couldn't get another elective they really wanted. Some will take it because they'll think they can slack off. You have to teach those kids just like you would the ones that are totally excited to learn what you have to offer, and that can be very, very tough.

The second thing is you'll have to get a teaching credential. This basically means you'll have to be working two jobs - teaching during the day, then taking classes at night and during weekends. Your district may help pay for them, but most do not. Just another thing to consider.

On a much brighter note, I loved teaching - absolutely nothing has been more rewarding short of being a father to my two sons. I was an English teacher, and due to my districts demographics, my students were often the most difficult kids, broken homes, gang affiliations, skin heads, some with learning disabilities, and some amazingly brilliant. But those kids were wonderful, and when you take each one as an individual, they all want to succeed, grow, and feel good about themselves - and they'll look up to you if they think you give a shit about them as people and don't pre-judge.

Hope this helps -

 

I would go for it ...
Steady income, good benefits and work doing what you like.

My wife taught algebra and calculus for 32 years.
She loved the teaching but the paperwork got to be a Pain in the butt ... the last 4 or 5 years.

I would imagine a shop class would have way less paperwork than the advanced math classes she was teaching.

Worst Case ...
After one year and you do not like it ... you could quit ...

 

I'd say go for it, you don't really have anything else going for you right now, anyway.

 

I taught High School Vocational auto mechanics for thirteen years and really enjoyed it 80% of the time.

The best part is seeing the looks on the faces of the kids when they realized that they have finished a project and accomplished something new.

The worse part is dealing with discipline problems especially those today.
It helps if the school it's self has a solid no nonsense discipline program in place and backs it up.

You will have to come up with your own rules that pertain to safety in the shop area.
The usual no horseplay with air hoses and what not.

I would type out what Pasadenahotrod wrote and keep it with me and refer to it often. Good solid advice from someone who I believe has been there. And it will keep you out of trouble with the powers that be.

If it is to be a "vocationally Certified" course you will have to take courses most summers for several years but they usually only take a couple of weeks a summer at least in this state.

Now:
Can you sit down and write out an outline for what you would teach and do for the first semester?
I think I would visit a couple of successful programs and find out what the instructors do or at least ask for a copy of their syllabus if they are too far away to drive down for a visit. Someone here may be able to come up with one that works for them or a friend. It's not cheating to get a take on what the other guys are doing successfully.

That said, can you live on first years teachers pay? Normally you will start out at the bottom of the scale right along with

 

Some good advice here.
With the current economic situation,working for the man ain't bad.Look at this too.You are 41.You can put in 20 years and be vested in a pension,have health care and summers off.
The kids are like your clients.You'll get some jerks but then you'll get some nice ones too.Kind of like life.Go for it.

 

Take the job. No greater reward than being able to pass on your experience and talent to young people who may very well be the future of our hobby. I think it would be both satisfying and frustrating. The latter due to arrogant little pricks and arrogant big pricks (the Administration). But if you got a cool head, you will prevail.

 

I agree with this 100%. My father and stepfather were teachers. You can make an impact on some of these kids. Just have patience with them and make it fun. Be their freind in an older brother way but don't let them take you for a ride. Think of the time you will have in the summer for your own.

Go for it!

 

Go for it. Is this an elective class, or a required class? That'd make a difference in who'll you'd be teaching.

There's always talk here about teaching the next generation....and losing them. Here's your chance to make your mark in the little bastards! Show up the first day, roll in your 33, tell them you're going to give them the basics to make one of these.

...And like was mentioned, benefits, summers off, and you can plan your schedule in advance. Nothing like a steady check.

 

I taught 7 years at the provincial institute of trades program run by the local college. It was the most fulfilling thing I ever did. It made me stretch as a tradesman and a person as well. I benifitted as much as anyone. the pay was good. The school enviorment is a bit different from the real world but you have a real oppourtunity to help guide some lives in the right direction. Occasionally you will meet yourself sort of in one of the students. Now some of my students have gone on to teaching. Go for. Work hard . Be prepared everyday for all the qquestions you might think will come. Enjoy it too. i did.
Don

 

I would say go ahead and interview. Meet the principal- that is one person that you want to make sure that you want to work with.

In regard to the "babysitting" duties... if you have control of the class and make sure that the students are clear on your expectations, you won;t have to worry about that. also, if you have a good relationship with your principal/administrator, you will have back up when you need it.

 

I'd go for it. What a great chance to pass on your love for things mechanical and to be able to give them knowledge that may well give them a career. Another plus for you is the length of the school year compared with your own business. Add to this, the benifets that generally go with a job like this. Paid vacations, paid holidays, personal days, health insurance, credit union and retirement, all part of the deal. I'm 61 years old and worked for a municipal government for the last 16 years. As you get older, those benefits are priceless. AND you will be around all those hot teenage girls! (just kidding!)

 

Hi, Tom here, similar situation. 28 years in the trade, owned my own rod shop for 16 years. I was working 7 days a week like you. I was on the verge of a divorce and never saw my 3 kids. I had to make a decision, so I closed up shop. I went to a teach tech school and taught for one year. I loved teaching the kids, about 3/4 of them were there for the right reason and I could deal with that. I got 4 weeks paid vacation and was out of work at 3 o'clock every day with no weekends. But it got to be the same thing every day. They did not come through on the money they promised and they had as many rules for the instructors as they had for the kids. It was not for me, I gave it a year and then went to a restoration shop on my terms and was much happier. It could be right for you, you might want to try it. Hope I gave you some insite, thanks for listening, Hotrodhill.