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Hi!!! I have taught elementary, middle & high school and when I say they are all different and there are different advantages to them all. Do you know the area you would be willing to go into if you went down to younger kids? I know making these decisions can be hard, but I would love to help you with some insight if I could. Also, are you taking care of yourself and putting yourself first in anyway? This could make everything seem totally different. Send me a message if you want to thought partner deeper.
I was an adjutant biology instructor at a small branch of the largest state university before deciding to become a public school teacher. For me, the choice was both more financially rewarding and professionally rewarding. I was almost certain not to ever be able to retire from the university. You are a professor, so it sounds like a career track for you. College students are more independent and require less hands-on attention than high school students. High schoolers forget they are still kids. Their teachers don't have that luxury. In a way, it is harder to teach high school than undergraduate college courses. I also found it to be more fulfilling. My teenage students were much more appreciative of my efforts on their behalf than the college students. I don't think it had anything to do with the fact that many of the college students were only a few years younger than me, but that could have been a factor. One thing you probably won't have a problem with is a student asking you out on a date. If a high school freshman gets a crush on you, they know they have to keep it to themselves. A college junior who develops an attraction may be more likely to act on his feelings. In short, your situation is different than mine was, but their are definitely plusses to leaving the college classrooms in favor of the high schools'.
Every level of educating has a different subset of problems. Higher education does require a little bit more rigor in terms of guidance and assignments, but with younger students you're constantly dealing with a cult of personality. And parents, not all of them good. College students aren't your problem, so to speak. As in, whether they attend or not has nothing to do with you and there's really no reason to care that much. But when you're teaching minors, you're automatically a mandated reporter, are much more liable if things go wrong, and don't just have the dean to answer to if your students aren't doing well. Personally I found higher academia better for me, because I felt like I was able to approach my students as adults. But I spent some time teaching high-schoolers and they're a lot more endearing, even if some of them are little sh!ts haha.
Rising Star
Lots more behavioral problems in K-12 than at a university or even community college. And, less power!
The only educator who could ask this question seriously would be a college professor. And, yes, I’ve taught college level courses. If you think they are trouble, you wouldn’t last a week outside of those hallowed halls.
K-12 teachers have to add mom, counselor, nurse, salesman, entertainer, life coach, mediator and many more jobs to their instructor role with much less planning and prep time. If you think you are exhausted now…
I can’t speak on teaching in the direct sense of older children (elementary and up). Preschoolers are no joke for a newbie-seemingly easy because they’re little and listen and are curious too but they loss attention quick and you have to plan things out the whole day. Even ten minutes of waiting time/transitions can be enough to start chaos from boredom. It’s hard to explain and I can talk more about it if you want to dabble into 3-6 yr olds
I’ve taught high school, middle school and elementary. The younger the kids the more labor intensive it is. HS requires less direct supervision. Elementary requires a lot of supervision. As for the drama- there is still drama with the little ones. A lot of tattletales, crying and arguing - in other words- behavioral management becomes really important. And don’t forget the parents. Teaching college you don’t have to deal with parents.
It also depends what subject you’re teaching and the district you’re in. If you are in a wealthy area with high achieving students- your work load may be more. Usually you see the students everyday- compared to college. If teaching HS or Middle School- your typical day may be teaching 5 classes, a lunch, a prep and possibly a duty. You may have to grade papers/projects at home because not enough time in school. There are faculty meetings, parent/teacher back to school nights, parent conferences, inservices…
If teaching in a district with less money, you may be frustrated with lack of funding for supplies.
Then there is administrative support. Are you in a district that values its staff and stands behind them or one that is weak and caters to the parents. How do they help with discipline issues? Or do they help at all?
There are a lot of things to consider because in Public Schools you lose the independence you may have as a college professor. You may be accountable to more people in public schools.
But- the pay may be better. And again- depends what subject area and grade level you are teaching. I’d research the districts you may want to work in and go from there. Also look at the state requirements/standards for your subject area. That may be helpful as well.
Good luck!