Then do it. I happen to teach social studies and I happen to have a degree in history. NOT EDUCATION. I agree those with a typical degree in education are not that well prepared to teach a subject. That is starting to change. More emphasis is put on actually knowing a subject. I was able to teach due to a special program that attempts to get people who actually know the subject to teach. I only had to take three education courses in order to get my license.
I am considered “highly qualified” and do not have to take extra courses to teach. Teaching is much more than “life experiences”. Where are the life experiences in determining the causes of the American Revolution? What life experience teaches one the periodic table? Yes if you happen to be a chemist you will know it but lets get real here. Disparaging something does not make your position correct. I make half of the amount quoted in the article. I could be here 30 years and not make 50K. We do not have a union. We can be fired from year to year.
“... a lot of folks can do it...”, well let them is my answer. We loose about 1/2 of our new teachers each year. They cannot take it. My wife is a professional and she has told me a number of times she could not do my job. Teaching your own kids is one thing. Teaching those of others is another story. We are social workers, psychologists, parents, and much more to these kids. Many do not have anything like a normal life. I have kids just out of jail and kids in high school who can barely read. We do the best we can with what we are given. I am just telling you the reality of the situation. People tend to think in terms of “Leave It to Beaver” or “Father Knows Best” times. Those times are long gone. Think “Married With Children” if you want to know what the parents and children are like.
I have had jobs that had different pressures. Teaching, if you do it right, has its own pressure. It is not uncommon for me to work nights, weekends and on my vacation periods.
I don't mind the work as I enjoy the job. I have had many jobs in private and public life before I started to teach.
That makes me somewhat different but more and more people in my position are going into teaching. We are older and have seen the outside world of which you speak.
I have no problems with home schooling and I wish you well. It is a viable option for many people. I home schooled my daughter many years ago as she had a medical condition and could not be in school. She did fine. Good Luck.
<> Are you delusional? Do you think the airtight government school cabal would EVER let a real business man in front of their precious little budding socialists - EVER? Let alone on a regular schedule? That's my whole point. It is a closed system, by design, to keep a professional class of education dept grads. Now I admire that you teach history with a knowledge in history - instead of a knowledge of indoctrination. Wish more were like you. But "then do it?" REally. Are you that blind to the reality of any businessman or Doctor or lawyer or anyone else who might want to give back - would never be allowed to do so? Wake up.