Former teacher offers advice for professionals considering a new career path in education

With all of the press about teacher shortages throughout the country, many people might be considering whether or not they’re cut out for the profession. If someone is thinking of switching careers to become a teacher, what are some things they should consider? And what are some ways they can pursue that path if they didn’t pursue a degree in education?

“Teaching can be an incredibly rewarding career, but it’s not without its challenges,” says Sofia Perez, a former teacher and current owner and content manager at Character Counter. “Switching careers to become a teacher might just be the best thing you ever do, but it’s important to be prepared.”

Perez suggests asking yourself a few questions before taking the steps that will be necessary to take over a classroom:

What are your motives? “If this is purely a career choice, then you might find it hard to sustain motivation day in, day out,” she says. “The best teachers I know are passionate about their subject, and really care about their students.”

Do you like people? And would you enjoy interacting with students? “Teaching is about more than just your subject. You have a duty of care to your students, and you need to be invested in their welfare,” Perez stresses.

Do you have a deep understanding of the subject you want to teach? “Students can ask the most unexpected questions, and it’s useful to have a bank of knowledge to fall back on,” Perez explains.

Volunteering in a school to get a better insight into whether this is the right path for you is one step Perez suggests taking “to gain valuable experience, see teaching in action, get to know students, and witness the reality of the school environment.”

Once you decide you want to pursue a teaching career, there is a route to becoming a licensed educator, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

One such program is iteach, a certification program that connects schools and districts around the country with qualified and dedicated teachers. According to company president Andrew Rozell, iteach mainly sees two types of candidates: paraprofessionals who are already working in schools and want to take the step to becoming certified teachers, and current professionals who have a bachelor’s degree but are unsatisfied with their career or have always dreamed of teaching.

“As an alternative certification provider, iteach is tailor-made for career switchers who want to become certified teachers in a matter of months rather than spending the years it takes to earn an education degree,” says Rozell, who stresses that it is important to research programs thoroughly to ensure they are right for you.

To locate approved alternative route programs, contact your state’s Department of Education; many include lists of approved programs on their websites.