Question

I am considering a career move from the corporate life after 16 years & going back to school (night classes) to be an elementary school teacher. Has anyone out there done this or know someone who has that I could chat with?!  

Answer 1

I moved from the nonprofit world back into corporate life 2 years ago. Best decision I could have made for me and my family

Comments

@klusek894 Farthing Altenbern wow usually people move the other way from what I heard. How is it?  

---

@klusek894 Farthing Altenbern interesting! My husband is considering doing the opposite. Why the change from nonprofit? How is corporate better for you? I’d love to pass the info on to him, please

Answer 2

My sister, let me know I’ll text you her info  

Answer 3

I work for Junior Achievement and we teach kids about business in the local schools. There is a set curriculum and as the volunteer, you are essentially the teacher that leads the lessons. If you are interested in volunteering while still in the corporate world… You could try out a few different grade levels! We have programs happening all over… I can email you a list of the opportunities!  

Comments

@klusek894 Youngberg This sounds so great! The kids definitely need some direction when it comes to business, I’d love to hear more about JA.  

Answer 4

I did it back in 2012. Taught K-2 for 7 years and now I’m a SAHM.  

Answer 5

Oh wow - you would be fantastic as an elementary teacher!  

Answer 6

Just a quick fyi. I work in elementary education. Around here, the "good" districts, there are no teacher shortages. Many talented recent elementary ed graduates have taken 18+mos to get hired (except males! ). One had to go to Rockford area for a job. I dont want to discourage you at all, just being honest with what I've seen. I think the older grades do need more teachers if thats an age you'd consider. We just talked at lunch with a sub who has been trying for years, she laughed at "teacher shortage'. Great, rewarding job tho - go for it!  

Answer 7

My sister is a teacher has to travel from DeKalb to Des planes to make decent money The applications were 1700 for every 1 job and those numbers are old How wonderful of you though to want to make a change in so many lives

Answer 8

I went back to school to change my career to teaching as well. Think long and hard. It’s not an easy field and the pay isn’t always the best either. It can be but I’m late to the game as it’s my second career so I’m don’t have as many years in to boost my pay as other teachers my age. I think the idea of teaching is wonderful it’s just not what school use to be like. A lot of push-down, unrealistic demands on teachers and much longer hours than you think. Not trying to be debbie downer- I just wish someone opened my eyes to these realities before I went back to school. I absolutely love my job but it comes at a cost- as do all jobs. Just consider all sides. I don’t mean to crush your dreams, just trying to shed light on some concerns that are often overlooked. Best of luck on wherever your journey takes you.  

Comments

This, very true!  

Answer 9

I don't want to be discouraging because educators do amazing things. It's just a hard job market and pay isn't great unless you're in the right district. I have my masters in school counseling and tried to go back a few years ago and jobs were scarce. If I could do it all again I should've done something in healthcare. It seems like there is a little more stability there and the pay is better.  

Comments

I completely agree!  

Answer 10

@sinister this makes me so happy! I am about half way with my night classes. I have heard both that it is hard to get a job but also there are a lot of people leaving education. Follow your heart ❤️❤️❤️

Answer 11

You may have to start out as a teacher assistant or building sub to get your foot in the door in a good district. As stated above, teaching jobs are super competitive in Naperville.  

Comments

@magna2 this. Totally agree to do subbing or being an aide but even then they may pick someone else over someone in the district. And it may actually take years as elementary jobs are hard to come by in this area. There is high area for ESL and special ed though so may want to look into this at the elementary level.  

Answer 12

If you are interested at all in special ed, they keep telling us in my district that there is a shortage of teachers in special ed.  

Comments

@benedictbenedicta where do you work?  

---

This is true pretty much anywhere.  

---

This is definitely true in many places!  

---

@seiden65324 West Chicago sd33 but as others said, I believe it is true statewide.  

Answer 13

Me! I’m currently in the final phase, student teaching. It’s been rough but worth it!  

Comments

@quackenbush this is awesome! You are going to be great!  

Answer 14

I used to teach 570 kids art each week, yes very rewarding and mostly fun but that was pre-kids . I would suggest shadowing someone for at least 2 weeks and see how much effort and heart goes into teaching and the amount of work that is done before school and after school, weekends, grading. Teaching is very rewarding but a lot of emotional and physical work. Best of luck with what you decide to do.  

Answer 15

A few teachers at our school actually did it. Maybe you can reach out to them. And I concur with @arrow49, you would be an amazing teacher! Good luck!  

Answer 16

I’m actually in the middle of that process too

Answer 17

Our kindergarten teacher at St. Raphael left corporate to become a teacher and she loves it. Do what you think is best for you.  

Answer 18

I did this. Went to Aurora University and got my master's in teaching. I love my job

Answer 19

I switched careers at 40. I went back to school when my kids were. In preschool.  

Answer 20

I did it. I went back and got my undergrad. There are jobs out there, maybe not in your preferred districts. I’ve been lucky to get a free masters, and grad classes beyond. If you have a degree already, you can get a sub certificate now. There is a shortage of subs in some areas. Get your foot in the door now and get that degree as you build a name for yourself.  

Answer 21

Me! I was in the corporate world for 5 years, got my masters in teaching, taught for 3 years, stayed home to raise my kids for 8, and now back teaching again this year. Feel free to PM me.