Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Making a difference
Survey shows 34 percent of teachers changed careers to become educators
Here’s a bit of news that many people may find educational: According to a recent survey by the University of Phoenix College of Education, one out of three — that’s 34 percent — K-12 teachers in the United States said that they changed careers to enter the teaching profession, with 36 percent of those career changers coming from a business and management background.
When asking career changers why they made the decision to become a teacher, they cited always wanting to teach (36 percent), needing a change of pace (31 percent) and looking for a more flexible schedule (23 percent) as the top reasons for joining the profession.
“In a time when the educational environment is faced with teacher shortages and uncertainty, it is critical to build a strong pipeline of talented educators committed to preparing students for success,” said Pamela Roggeman, Ed.D., academic dean for the College of Education at University of Phoenix.
“Many amazing teachers satisfy those needs in America’s schools, and, in my experience, career changers are an important part of continued student success in the classroom,” she said.
Most K-12 teachers agree that career changers meet a valuable need in America’s classrooms. According to the survey, K-12 teachers believe that there are many benefits to having career changers in the classroom, including bringing real-world applications for the subjects being taught (64 percent), fresh ideas (48 percent) and more teacher diversity (46 percent).
“Those who change careers to enter teaching tend to bring rich knowledge and strong skill sets from their previous roles that often enhance the student learning experience,” Roggeman said.
For anyone considering career change and entering the classroom, Roggeman offers the following tips on how to be best prepared for a career in teaching.
Seek educator preparation that provides strong teaching practice knowledge. Finding a preparation program that helps aspiring educators grow and refine their craft is helpful for long-term success in a classroom setting, and is especially beneficial during the first few years in the profession.
Choose a school that is willing to invest in efficacy and retention through strong induction programs designed to support first- and second-year teachers in areas critical to long-term success. This can include classroom management, lesson planning, instruction and assessment, all essential skills for any educator.
Identify a personal and professional support system, such as an effective veteran colleague or support from a professional organization. Having a seasoned educator providing regular feedback can help new teachers feel more comfortable and be more effective.
Finally, if you experience the call, answer it. Make a difference by becoming a teacher.