Hi I am currently a high school substitute teacher and enjoy it. I was studying for the CBEST and hoping to enter the teacher credential program at age 56. I was hired as a sub with no interview which I am not good at interviews. I was told that it is quite the same after you are in the credentials program that you get hired. But I am not really sure about that. I do not want to waste my time and money going through a credential program just to go to an interview and then hear "We found someone else". Since they are not allowed to say "You are too old" I think I just found out I was fooling myself.
For me if it was I in your position, if I don't go for it, I might wonder later down the line what would have happened if I just went for it. I think if you feel it's the right fit for your personality type, have high interests/passionate, and feel as though you are good at teaching, still go for it, since it is never too late to realize a good pathway for you.
I would try to figure out how many years you are willing to work before retirement. Will going through a lengthy program be worth it if you only plan on working a few years?
Thanks Though I am 56 but I feel younger and I am going to go for it. I am sorry for late reply. I though this is supposed to alert me but it doesnt. Thank you
Glad you are going for it! I definitely suggest you brush up on interview skills, get coaching, etc. Teacher interviews in my area are usually 3 rounds, which include a demo lesson. Don't expect to breeze through them the same way - do your research on districts, practice answering questions with someone, and be ready!
We had a horrible time finding teachers starting from before covid . . . and it only got worse after. We started the year with subs because there weren’t enough teachers to cover all of the jobs, so we would have been thrilled to have people interested in teaching. I also agree that you should look into how much longer you would plan to work and how that would work into a pension. Here teachers do not pay into social security, so retirement is based on your own investments and the state retirement system. Starting a career later would be an issue in some areas.
Hi No. I just started my first Spanish lesson today. I think I will prepare for the Spanish CSET after I hopefully pass the CBEST. Sorry for late response
Where I used to sub the only thing required was some type of degree. If you wanted a higher pay you had to be certified.
I was only a year younger than OP when I became a HS teacher teaching biology, and older than OP when I added a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language, and then added 28 more graduate credits to become certified to teach TOSD within all of my subject matter certificates, which includes K-8, ESL K-12, and Biological Science, K-12. I added the varied endorsements and post grad credits through the judicious use of special programs available to teachers at the HS where I was teaching, and later, through evening classes at a near-by teacher college. My school offered at least partial to full tuition reimbursement for the courses, and as I earned more credits toward my master's degree, I was paid at a higher level on the pay scale, set by the teacher union's contract. Basically, I almost earned all of those graduate credits for no cost other than showing up and doing the work. Let me say up front that I learned quite a bit from every course, even though I had been working almost full time as a sub for about 10 years. I should disclose that I did already have graduate credits (24) earned after I earned my BS, so I have a BS, a MEd., and a boat full of graduate credits that could only really be used if I were to choose to go after a doctorate, which I have no interest it. The bottom line is that I never stopped learning, at any age, and it had financial gain for me. The age thing is just a number - making a way to maximize your rise up the pay scale should be considered a priority for those going full time at your age, unless money doesn't matter.
I just joined and saw your post. You're definitely not too old. I was a couple of years older than you when I started subbing. I decided I wanted to teach, so I got my transcript analyzed by our Dept of Education to see what courses I needed. I passed my Praxis and was hired for the 2022-23 school year in my content area. I am conditionally certified and starting my second year in a few weeks. My school district pays for the courses you need to get certified and will also pay for the Praxis exam.
