Bankrupt-Proof the Teaching Career
What Unemployed and Employed Teachers Should Consider
Jun 25, 2009
Teachers are being laid-off in school systems throughout the country in efforts to trim operating costs. Many of these teachers will be able to obtain unemployment benefits, but facing the prospect of finding another teaching position could be an impossible task. There are ways, however, that unemployed teachers can continue in education. At the same time, teachers still employed should take steps to bankrupt-proof their careers.
For Teachers Still Employed
Teachers who are still employed should diversify their fields of expertise. Teachers qualified to instruct in more than one subject area are often in higher demand. Although it may take time, a teacher with both Social Studies and English certification, or one that can instruct several foreign languages (German & Spanish; French & Spanish), will have greater bargaining power.
Teachers with a Masters Degree that includes a minimum of 18-graduate credit hours in their academic field can market themselves as adjuncts to local Community Colleges and universities. Many teachers with an Education Masters may already have the 18-credit hours, although many colleges prefer an MA strictly in the academic area being taught.
Teaching one of two night adjunct courses can act as insurance against future cutbacks. Beyond the networking that comes with new teaching opportunities, adjunct teaching, even on a part-time basis, looks good on a resume. It also speaks to career diversification.
For Teachers Who are Unemployed
Tutoring companies like Kaplan and Princeton Review hire educators with strong backgrounds. Additionally, there are numerous on-line tutoring services. Private tutoring is also an option. For teachers with a background in the college application process, consulting could be the start of a new career that is still focused on education.
Teachers who have the financial ability to go back to school may elect to pursue other degree programs so that when the market improves, they will be in a more advantageous position to secure employment. Many universities offer relatively inexpensive on-line degree programs that can be completed in the home.
In many cases, unemployed teachers reflect the newly hired, young educators without tenure who have only been in the classroom for a few years. These teachers may wish to consider teaching abroad for a few years. Such experiences strengthen a resume and portfolio while giving teachers opportunities to travel. A similar option might be finding employment with one of the many student and/or adult travel companies that build reputations focused on “educational travel.”
Temporary Career Changes
In many cases, unemployed teachers may have no other options but to pursue temporary career changes. Depending on the employment possibilities, this may not be a bad thing. Interim experiences such as in business or marketing will broaden backgrounds that can later influence hiring decisions if and when the teacher is able to return to the classroom.
Although recession predictions are erratic, teachers must realize that the present state may last beyond the new school year, perhaps into 2011 or 2012. When “normalcy” returns, school systems will have developed new models maximizing staffing efficiency and competency. Thus, unemployed teachers who want to continue in the classroom should use the interim time to improve their resumes through useful employment experiences, new academic degree programs, and professional development opportunities.
