When I left the USAF in 1989, my old school district contacted me, wanting me to teach science. Likely because I had a Bachelor’s in Geology and Geophysics, and was rated as a Ground, Simulator, and Flight Instructor.
I only needed two more years of coursework to teach 8th grade Earth Science and 9th grade Chemistry. . . for a 10% cut in pay.
I passed on the “opportunity”. . .
It’s called the “Teacher Protection Act” and for a very good reason. Most professionals with the academic expertise desperately needed in public schools (math, computer science, biology, chemistry, physics) don’t want to spend another two years in school to take a bunch of virtually-worthless “education” courses to gain their teaching credential.
And why should they? Many have their doctorates and have taught at the university level, so they are more than competent in classroom management, curriculum development and the other “skills” taught in education grad programs. So, when the retired scientists and engineers take a pass, those jobs must be filled by someone, i.e., the latest “grads” from the education schools.
Even Troops to Teachers, one of the most successful teaching transition programs in history, does its own bow and scrape to the education establishment. Exiting service members are given a temporary license, but must complete the academic and certification requirements for teaching in that state, which normally means two more years in school and earning a master’s in education. Toss in the horrible conditions that many teachers now face in the classroom and you learn why more retiring military and veterans decide against becoming a teacher.
Discipline is all-but-gone in most public schools. I come from a family of teachers; my two step sisters and a brother-in-law have almost a century of classroom experience. My older sister and her husband did 30 and 28 years and retired. Both tell the the “change” in schools from their first days in teaching (early 70s) and the end of their careers was absolutely stunning. They occasionally substitute but steadfastly refuse the district’s offer to sign a one-year contract AND collect their full pension, which is allowed under state law. Just not worth it, they tell me.
My younger sister is entering her final year at an elementary school in the Chicago suburbs. She is also counting the days until retirement.