Opinions on a new career path....

[Ryguytoodry]

Just out of curiosity I was looking into maybe going to teachers college after I finish my program to teach as an auto shop or machine shop teacher. Does anyone have some experience with a career in teaching? How hard was teachers college to get into?

Thanks,
-Ryan

 

[Plymouth63]

my opinion, Don't waste the money.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Have you ever worked in either of these fields? Cause that's what you need to do to teach, have actual experience on the subject. There is a name for people who are experts in areas they have no experience in. Pseudo intellectual.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Teaching is a part time job with full time pay and plenty of bennys. Teachers always gripe about the "low pay", but it's been my experience that the majority leave the profession when they are eligble for reirement.....and that's usually at a reasonably young age.

 

[djais1801]

I work in public education, as a crisis counselor not a teacher- I will tell you that if you are looking for a job as a shop teacher there are only 2 venues for you
1-vocational school employment
2-a tech school like Wyotech
That being said, I have to agree w/ Hemi Rebel- those that teach in these fields have had years of field experience, ran their own shops, etc. Not sure how it works in Canada.

 

[Ryguytoodry]

I will have by the time I apply. Experience as a journeyman millwright that is. My auto shop teacher in high school knew jack **** about vehicles, I basically taught the class lol. He had a university degree in sociology or something, couldn't find a job, so he took a one year auto course in college and went to teachers college. Didn't know how to change brakes, tried telling us cars starting using obd1 in 1962, and used us as slaves to fix **** on his haggard caravan.

 

[kevin403]

I am a journeyman refrigeration mechanic. No offence when I say this, I guess it goes to say about your auto instructor. "Those who can't work... Teach". I have had many poor instructors in my schooling. They taught a lot of incorrect principles and a whole lot of "Glory Day stories"

Now, in all consideration. There are a lot of amazing teachers/instructors among us. Whatever your career path takes you best of luck.

 

[67 coronet]

one thing you need to think about is the want to teach.if you dont have the desire,dont just try to do it as a job.my wife has been a teacher for over 10 years and still truely loves to teach.if you dont have the desire,you will be doing the kids an injustice.
as others have said,you need a good amount of experience to teach trade school.the auto teachers are good examples at my wifes school.they suck so bad that the administration has tried to give me the hard sell to become a teacher there.all 3 of them have never had any real automotive experience,they just took classes.they end up sending out 4th year kids with no real skills.kinda sad.

 

[Cranky]

I'm retired as an oil refinery machinist but was in the central shop most of my 26 years there. Also had some manual and CNC and automotive experience before hiring on at the plant and got even more automotive machining experience during my time there but on my own time. Anyways, a buddy of mine said if I wanted, he could get me a teaching job but I just laughed a little and told him I couldn't wait for the day that I could do whatever I wanted and when I wanted and didn't need anymore jobs to hold me down. Don't think I'd make a good teacher anyways. Ever thought about opening up a private shop school and being your own boss?

 

[SteveSS]

I'm not a teacher but I love to teach. Gets me in trouble sometimes. See all of us are basically "teaching" you right now. I think it will be hard to teach those in HS and middle school that don't want to be there. Once someone is paying for that opportunity the whole ball game changes. Heck I'd take your class if the price was right. I want to learn more and I'm 57.

 

[HYRDGOON]

Just out of curiosity I was looking into maybe going to teachers college after I finish my program to teach as an auto shop or machine shop teacher. Does anyone have some experience with a career in teaching? How hard was teachers college to get into?

Thanks,
-Ryan

Have you spoken to ANYONE trying to get a job teaching in this country?!?!? There are none! and those that are doing it want out because they've changed the teaching "method" so many times that there's no respect in the industry anymore.

Like everyone else said Experience would be the must before even being considered... and experience doesn't mean just finishing your apprenticeship... Get in your chosen trade and stay in it it's the only way to make decent money and stay employed.

 

[SteveSS]

If you can teach me how to stay ahead of my son on his 7MGTE Supra motor's air fuel mixture piggy back tuning I would say your good enough. We were watching a movie on Netflix were the auto shop teacher was doing that. It was Called Born 2 Race. Sad to say but I see a lot of electrician & plumbers working at Home Depot. And a lot of mechanics at parts stores. Sucks but I paid a guy $150 yesterday to come fix my daughter's car in my garage. Gave him $35/hr and was damn glad to do it.

Go learn to be an investment banker, like that movie with Will Smith.

 

[Bruzilla]

We don't have teacher colleges down here. Our systems are primarily based on someone with a degree, any degree, and some experience will be considered for a position... which is why our education system sucks so bad. Worse, this is a problem that's been steadily expanding into the training business (which is what I've been working in for 24 years) because we have thousands of public school teachers leaving the job and appointing themselves instructional designers and trainers for adults because they have 2-8 years experience teaching little kids with curricula they never had to design or develop.

Education and training has its rewards, but not many.

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

My .02

Bless teachers that are good. Very difficult career w/ little appreciation. I considered teaching math or physics at the HS level, but decided I can't stand kids, haha.

As far as the curriculum, auto shop and machining classes at the high school level are constantly being cut. Makes sense really...proliferation of automation and cars that tell a person what's wrong via a diagnostic port, as well as the drive toward a 'maintenance free' car. As time goes on, the need for these skills will be less and less. My advice is to get into something w/ staying power that can't be outsourced or phased out w/ technology. Medical, maintenance, or service industry of some sort, maybe.

 

[coronet500]

Ok, here's my take.......I'm a high school shop teacher (woodworking and drafting/design) in my 35th year at the same school. I will admit, there are those teachers out there that exemplify the characteristics that some others here have described. I'll admit that in my first couple of years my knowledge base was weaker than I would have liked, but I did have some background and I built my experience in the summers working for carpenters/cabinetmakers and my knowledge increased.

Teaching is a noble profession. But, the game has changed over the last several years and it's tougher to actually get to teach what you are supposed to be teaching, because of all the requirements set by state and federal standards. Actually I've been fighting the state all morning on some issues related to my "vocational funding".

There are only two schools in the state that actually have Industrial Technology programs which prepare teachers for that field. Actually only two in our five state area. These programs are being discontinued in high schools quickly, for various reasons. Luckily, we have a school board that embraces the "shop" classes. We have myself and a "metals-automotive" guy. This is in a school of approx 200 students, grades 9-12. The problem in Kansas is there are still schools which would like to provide these classes but the teachers are getting on toward retirement age (like me) and there are no (or few) younger guys to replace us.

I have my own cabinetry/custom furniture business that I do evenings/weekends/summers.

 

[Moparsmitty]

If you can, I suggest that you try to get a job teaching at a trade school, community college or in private industry. Friends that are teaching in public schools tell me that it's getting to the point that all you are doing anymore is teaching how to test. It's frustrating for them to be told how to teach every step of the way and then be told that you are doing it wrong if your students test scores aren't above average.
Years ago I had the experience of teaching technical courses in the telecommunications industry. It was fantastic. Not only was I well paid, but I had the freedom to teach the course work pretty much how I liked. A big plus was that the students were company employees that wanted to be there and were eager to learn the coursework to further their careers. It seems like most industries aren't interested in training their own employees anymore, but that's another subject. Whatever you decide, good luck to you Ryan.

 

[coronet500]

If you can, I suggest that you try to get a job teaching at a trade school, community college or in private industry. Friends that are teaching in public schools tell me that it's getting to the point that all you are doing anymore is teaching how to test. It's frustrating for them to be told how to teach every step of the way and then be told that you are doing it wrong if your students test scores aren't above average.

That, among other things! :eusa_clap: