calling all math teachers

I am planning to change my career from mechanical engineer to math teacher and hopefully will make that transition in a year or so, after my weight has stabilized and I can invest alot of time into making the change without getting overwhelmed. Also, financially i will be taking a significant pay cut, though not as bas as i thought it would be. Can you tell me about your experience in being a teacher and what was the hardest thing to figure out the first year. thanks.

That is a loaded question. I don't know if I remember the first year I taught anymore. It was forever ago. I have been a teacher since 1979.  I think the biggest adjustment had to do with developing lesson plans and innovative ideas to teach a concept especially in an area that wasn't my strong point such as Math. The next would be learning behavior management. I still suscribe to the idea that the students aren't my friends. Go in tough and ease up as the group begins to know what is expected. Good luck!

Hi Nicole, I don't have any specific experience in this area other than my youngest sister decided in her mid-40's to get her teaching credentials and be a HS math teacher after many years of being a software documentation writer / trainer.   She lives in Northern Virginia so her experiences might be slightly different.   She needed some courses to get her certification but was able to get substitute teaching assignments and ended up doing a long term sub as a special ed math teacher.   That changed her perspective and she has gone on to become a HS math special ed teacher.   As I was typing this reponse to you, my sister called me and I mentioned that I was typing a response to you.   If you would like to talk to her directly or email her about her specific experiences please let me know and I'll give you the contact info. Hugs, Mo

I have been teaching science in middle school for eight years. I love teaching and I hate teaching. I love having those exciting labs and hands on things that really grab the kids and make them think, but today with No Child Left Behind and everything revolving around state test scores I cant have those lessons. The past month we have done a 25 minute reading and answer questions warm up for MSA practice and a 25 minute graphing practice in science class. That leaves me with 20 minutes of science. I can tell you that teaching math right now is tough because math teachers and english teachers are on the line if their students do not pass the state tests. If you teach in an area that passes their tests every year then you will be fine. My school has to pass this year or all of the teachers are fired and the state comes in to re-interview people. With that said, I do love actual teaching. The kids are difficult, but any middle schooler is. The biggest thing you can do is form a good relationship with the kids. Let me know if you have anymore questions. Amy

I've heard that this bill has really negatively affected people's ability to teach their students. That is such a shame. Hopefully once Bush is out of office, they will cancel the bill. Do you think that is a possibility?

That is a good question, I really do not know. NCLB is good in theory, there just need to be a lot of tweaks made. If the next president takes that into consideration and actually asks teachers what they need instead of telling us what we need, it could work! Good luck, I really do love teaching it is just so darn frustrating at times. I know you will do well.

I'd like to ask you more questions but I don't have access to your page to send you a pm. could you send me one so i can email you back? thanks.