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[failoutboy]

Has anybody had any experience transitioning from a postdoc to a high school teaching position? I'm writing on behalf of a friend of mine, but will speak in first person for convenience. I graduated with a PhD last year and am currently working as a postdoc. I realized that I am sick of research and would prefer to teach for a living. I don't like my chances for a TT position, and I don't want to work as an adjunct. Thus, I am considering a career as a high school science teacher. Do high school generally shy away from hiring PhDs as teachers?

[brainstorm]

I don't have teaching experience in high school, but if I am a principal, I would
hire you right away.

One like you with Ph.D may have a good chance of promoting admistrative
positions in school districts, too.

Go for it. I complement your courage. You will be happier with a plenty of time
for yourself and your family.  After all, job and money are just the means of happy
life. If you are not happy, faculty with tenure and good salary would not
count much.

[barred_owl]

The Ph.D. might be attractive to many schools, particularly those looking to hire science teachers, but there are a couple of things to consider:

1. Check your state's requirements for teacher preparation, especially if your friend is looking at public schools; your friend might be able to get a conditional certification to teach, but might have to complete education coursework within a certain period of time in order to achieve state certification, and continuing employment, as a classroom teacher.  The requirements vary widely, but, in general, it is not possible to use the doctorate as the sole qualification to teach in a high school.

2. Some (not all) independent schools may hire Ph.D.s sans the required state certification.  It might be worth taking some time to explore options for teaching at independent/private high schools in your area.  I applied for a bio teaching position at a local independent h.s. and got a call almost immediately from the dean of faculty there.  He expressed great interest in having me come in for an interview, but, unfortunately, the person who formerly held that position decided not to retire after all, so the open position disappeared.

[failoutboy]

Thank you for the helpful replies!

[msparticularity]

As Barred_Owl says, there are alternative certification programs in several states. These are generally only for "high needs" fields, which in many states includes the sciences. Also, though, these positions are generally only available in so-called "at risk" schools. On a practical level, what this means is NOT a fairly comfortable suburban job; it means a job in a challenging and stress-filled environment with many students who are under-prepared and who do not wish to be there--and who will let you know it. It can be truly wonderful and inspiring work, but it is incredibly hard.

[boskom]

I don't have teaching experience in high school, but if I am a principal, I would
hire you right away.

One like you with Ph.D may have a good chance of promoting admistrative
positions in school districts, too.

Go for it. I complement your courage. You will be happier with a plenty of time
for yourself and your family.  After all, job and money are just the means of happy
life. If you are not happy, faculty with tenure and good salary would not
count much.

I just want to add that is relly good for him to explore new possibilities but financial side IS pretty important, because it could be too big difference between these too jobs. There is a saying: “Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money.” - Quotes  About  Life

[prytania3]

I'll say it again. I wouldn't go back to teaching high school for under 1.5M.

Why doesn't your friend apply to community colleges?

[docmama]

The other thing to consider is that many public high schools would rather hire someone without a doctorate because it saves them money.

[detritivore]

I went to a private high school; our science teacher had a PhD.  So, perhaps there are more opportunities within private schools.  That's my only knowledge of the subject, though.

[mchap11]

I finally gave up the search for FT teaching at the college level affter earning an PhD and eight years on the market looking at CC and teaching focused schools. I was trying to be realisttic.  I'm almost through with my 1st year teaching English at a magnet HS in Texas.  Pluses: it's a job and it pays more than the entry level at most community colleges. It is rewarding in many cases but more frustrating in so many others--try being around 120 or so teenagers for 6 periods (soon to be 7 periods becuase of budget problems) a week who feel like prisoners and whose hormones are running riot.  "Ack," as Bill the Cat used to say.  Minuses: It is a lot more work and the "prestige" of teaching "college" is long gone.  Pay for the PhD is negligible here--about $500 more a year than someone with a Masters, so I don't think having that last degree will hurt your hiring chances.  I will note that many of the students in the magnet school are often better writers and thinkers than the majority of my community college students. So, pick carefully--if you go to a comprehensive HS you may not be pleased.  I've always heard that private schools pay less and teachers are pretty powerless. At my public HS, I'm in the union even though it is weak due to Texas' "right to work" law, still it's better than nothing!  Good Luck out there!

Oh, and hello Pry!

[hungry_ghost]

A friend in a recently made this transition. He was snatched up by a private prep school that wanted the prestige of teachers with advanced degrees; that wanted teachers who had some experience with college teaching and could help prepare their 100% college-bound students; and that was not restricted by the same licensing laws that governed public schools. He absolutely loves his new job.

[prytania3]

Hey, Mchap. Glad to see you back!

[mchap11]

Oh Pry, I've always been around, just lurking in the shadows with little to add these days.  My apologies for all the typos in my post, forumites.  See what happens when you teach high school ;0). 

[micropterus]

I'll say it again. I wouldn't go back to teaching high school for under 1.5M.

Why doesn't your friend apply to community colleges?

I agree wholeheartedly with this. I'm getting out after 4 years. 7 more days.

[galway]

Private schools - particularly academically rigorous ones could be a good choice for someone like your friend.  There's less of the burnout that can happen in public schools because the kids are typically smart, motivated, and ambitious.  It may also be less rewarding because they're kids who will probably do fine no matter what you do.  It's not a challenge to get them into college or help them see new vistas in life - things that happen more often at schools with a greater socio-economic diversity of students.  Still some private schools will actually support small amounts of research and certainly support extra-mural programs (e.g. taking students to research centers or on international trips).  They are still teenagers and all that entails but it can be a good gig from what I hear.