Consider Teaching as a Second Career
Posted On October 7,2020
If you’re considering going back to school to become a teacher, you aren’t alone. Teaching as a second career has become increasingly popular over the years. Job candidates who are making a second career in early childhood education often make excellent teachers, due to their authentic, real-world experience, confidence and introspective outlook on life.
Second-Career Teachers Have Passion
The career transition to teaching is usually done because the prospective early childhood educator is passionate about pursuing a career they’ve always dreamed of. This passion and drive will not only keep them motivated to perform well in their early childhood education program, but it will motivate them to succeed as a brilliant educator. They become a teacher because they desperately yearn to teach and want to make a difference in the lives of children.
Learn More about Our Early Childhood Education ProgramInvaluable Real-Life Experience
One of the biggest advantages of becoming an early childhood educator is the abundance of diversity and experience that people bring with them into the classroom. For example, if you have experience in business, then you know which type of skills students need to learn in order to be successful. This type of real-life perspective and wisdom cannot be taught and is a valuable teaching tool to use to your advantage.
Innovative Teaching Methods
For the early childhood educator with vast employment skills in other areas, they are able to use a more innovative approach when it comes to teaching methods. They are usually trained to be great problem solvers and to think outside of the box. They are exactly the type of creative, innovative educators who tend to stand out among the others and succeed at their job.
Second-Career Teachers Have Been on the Other Side
Many second-career teachers have the added benefit of having experience in raising children of their own and supporting their children through their own academic years. They know how to effectively communicate with teachers and fellow parents and know which type of support and guidance parents are really looking for. Learning about child development in school is one thing, but it doesn’t compare to the experience and wisdom of having raised children of your own.
In addition, many parents respond better to older, more experienced educators who have raised children of their own in comparison to a young teacher who is fresh out of college and doesn’t have a lot of real-life experience with children outside of the classroom. This gives second-career teachers a certain level of credibility with parents.
Mature Outlook and Perspective About Life
Second-career teachers possess a certain maturity and perspective about life that comes with real-world experience. They have a unique ability to bring their wisdom and vision into the classroom and have the courage to share it. It’s that diverse approach to teaching and learning that makes them such a valuable resource to students and staff.
Second-career early childhood educators know how the world works, as they’ve witnessed major life problems and challenges first hand such as changes in society and the economy, giving them a different, more mature perspective and outlook on life. They know what’s important and what’s not and know not to sweat the small stuff.
Start Your ECE Process NowReady to Get Started?
If you’re interested in transitioning into a fulfilling and rewarding teaching career, then you’re ready to earn a degree in early childhood education. Contact Athena Career Academy to speak with our admissions team to help get you started.