Calling all Teachers: A question about my education

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

So, I'm studying history-- currently working on my BA (with a minor in Literature)... I really want to be a high school teacher because that is, in general, the type of student I prefer to work with.

However, I also want to have the freedom to do research and write scholarly historical articles and books.

I've been told by many people that these two goals clash because the education I need to write on that level (at least my MA, probably PhD) will leave me over-qualified to teach history on the high school level (because of salary requirements and the issues with under-funded schools here in the US).

I have no objections to going on for school. Most of the time, I really want to-- I love it. But, at the same time, I don't want to jeopardize my goals of becoming a high school teacher by over-educating myself.

Any teachers out there (or anyone, really) that knows anything about the subject that is willing to give me some advice/insight?

 

[thalmin]

Why not get a BA, start teaching, and continue your education. Most schools encourage that. It may take a bit longer to get the masters and PHD, but you will get your tenure sooner.

 

[Angcuru]

Well, keep in mind that different high schools have different curriculums, budgets, etc. With what you seem to describe, you could likely seek a job at a prestigious(?) private school, where most if not all senior classes are taught at the college level. You could teach the group of people you want to and not have to worry about over-educating yourself. Probably. Just my educated guess.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

That's where the major problem comes in... Husband and I are in the Washington, DC area right now-- making the choice to go on to get my MA/PhD slightly harder (the institutions that I want to get them from are all in the area)... but, we would like to--sometime in the not too distant future-- move back to the Midwest (think South Dakota, Minnesota) were there aren't nearly as many private schools to choose from... if any at all.

As a general rule in South Dakota, each town of decent size will have one private school: The local Catholic School... which makes getting a job there slightly more difficult for me, the protestant.

I'm just starting to get worked up about it because I am at the point in my education that I am being forced to decide whether or not to apply for various prestigious scholarship programs... and, I don't want to pass them up... but, I don't want to screw myself in the end and not be able to do what I really love most.

 

[Umbran]

I'm waiting to defend my doctoral thesis, and to fill the time I'm trying to find a position teaching in high school. It isn't easy to find a position, but none of the places I've talked to say that overqualification is a major issue.

It is true that most public schools pay you more for higher education. But they also pay more the longer you've been teaching. While a starting teacher gets paid more with a doctorate than with a bachelor's degree, it is not so much more that it'd be a deal-breaker.

For places with budgetary concerns, I'm told the usual practice is to take you on for a while, and then let you go before you qualify for tenure, thus avoiding paying the really high salaries.

It is a common misconception that private schools pay better and want higher-end teachers than public schools. This seems to only be true in areas with a really poor tax base. The folks I know who have taught both public and private say that if you can work in an middle-class area or better, typically you'll get more from public schools, and the benefits in public schools are also usually better.

 

[The Other Librarian]

Well I think the question is do you want to teach for love or money? What I mean to say is are you worried about being underpaid vs your qualifications? I don't think you'll have a problem getting a teaching gig with a MA/PHD, as long as you are willing to accept what they can pay (and have the right certification). Most public school systems are on a salary schedule, and do take into account advanced degrees, but you may want to check out some districts and decide for yourself if the pay is worth the extra schooling.

Private schools are more variable in salary, but much more competition for the good gigs.

 

[drothgery]

Several of the teachers at my (public) high school had PhDs. Admittedly, this was in an upper middle class/upper class suburb in upstate NY (in NY state, you pretty much need a Master's to get a permanent teaching credential); if the public schools had sucked, no funding would have passed and everyone would've ended up in private schools. It's certainly true that public schools pay better than most private schools, at least according to my mother (who teaches at a Catholic shool).

 

[Maerdwyn]

A lot of public school districts ( all that I worked in) require MA degrees to get tenure (or continue regular emplyment after five years, in the case of New York City). PhD's weren't what I would call common, but they weren't rare either. That should not be a problem, and you could certainly teach while you pursued your PhD.

Ditto what Umbran said about private school pay - it's worse, almost across the board, as are the benefits. Then again, he teaching conditions may be quite a bit better.

BTW, I was a history teacher in both high- and middle school before staying home with my kids, and I think there are a couple other Enworlders around here who taught or teach history, as well. If you want any thoughts on the specifics of my my experiences studies, let me know. Good luck.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Being from South Dakota, it's rare--or I'm told it is--that you can actually *get* a job teaching with your MA. Going back to get it after teaching a couple years is possible... they simply cannot afford to pay you those sorts of wages in your first years. But, then again, we have the 2nd worse paid teachers in the United States (seconded only by Wyoming, I believe.

Additionally, I'm not teaching for money... think that's a given. I want to do it because I love it and have been passionate about it for as long as I can remember really having a *plan* for my life (outside of being an space-woman... but, doesn't every child, at one point, want to go to space?).

 

[Umbran]

What I mean to say is are you worried about being underpaid vs your qualifications? I don't think you'll have a problem getting a teaching gig with a MA/PHD, as long as you are willing to accept what they can pay (and have the right certification). Most public school systems are on a salary schedule...

The issue in getting the job isn't whether you are willing to accept the salary schedule. The question is whether the district is willing to pay the upper end of that schedule.

As I understand it, for those places with a schedule, there's usually little or no discretionary power. If you meet the schedule requirements, if they hire you, they must pay you what the schedule says. They cannot pay you less. So it they aren't willing to pay you that much, you cannot willingly take a pay cut to get the job. You simply don't get hired.