[prof.h.mandingo]

You need to get out more. Some states would welcome someone with your ability. Schools are not monolithic. The horror stories are always in California, New York and up north.
We are more enlightened in the stupid south. I get to teach pretty much what I want as long as the material is covered. I had a degree in history. Prior to that I ran my own business. Years ago when I was young I was a State Trooper. There is no cabal. Not in my state. If you are qualified it doesn't matter. Whether you believe that or not is up to you. If you have a degree in economics etc. you simply have to pass a couple of general skills tests and one in a specialization. Take three courses in psych., testing and classroom management and you are in. Now that was ten years ago. There may be one or two more requirement but they are not bad. We are looking for people who have the knowledge.

[C. Edmund Wright]

For a teacher, you have reading comprehension issues and are very touchy about criticisms that aren’t leveled at you - but your touchiness is instructive.

I am not talking about switching careers - I am talking about the many many folks I know who would teach part time to share what they have learned in the real world with kids in the classroom. Many would do it for free.

The “degree” is still a requirement that would hold out a lot of qualified folks. Why should a successful entrepreneur of some 25 years need a damned economics degree to be allowed to teach? Why should a man or woman whose run dozens or hundreds or thousand of employees have to take a damned “classroom management class” BS? What is the “specialization” general skills test?

You prove my point. I hope you don’t coach debate.