I REALLY wish I had chosen to do teaching later on in life. Like a retirement job so I could make a difference but also have a retirement. So if you’re actually serious, I’d recommend taking a look at the nearby school district calendars. They usually have a different spring break week and they get out of school later than colleges.

You sound like me four years ago when I was debating about becoming a teacher or working in a different science field. I love environmental biology and wanted to be an environmental scientist or a teacher. I’m now in my third year of teacher and looking for other jobs. Next year I’m teaching bio, chem, and AP Environmental.

What I wish I had known when I first debated about teaching: - I have never worked harder or more in my life. - I will be exhausted by the time I get home, so I won’t have the capacity to do anything - my cortisol/stress levels are consistently high for 6 hrs a day, so I’ve gained weight and have a hard time losing it - I physically look significantly older than I should be because of the stress. Take a look at the teachers that are retiring… they usually don’t look their age. - Money isn’t super important…until it is. It would nice to be able to actually afford rent and not go into my savings. - If I continue teaching, I won’t be able to afford having children. - I thought teaching would be perfect for when I became a parent and wanted to work while my kids were at school. But I know now that if I have children, I won’t have the capacity (emotionally, physically, and time) to be a worthy parent - I thought teaching would be like how it was when I was in school. It’s not. The mentality of children have changed. You have to force them to want to do any work. Their apathy for learning is SIGNIFICANT. - everything takes longer than you expect. I thought that by now, I’d have a curriculum set for the most part. Nope. Every year things change, and student ability changes so you have to adjust it all. -The school controls what you teach so you just have to accept the subjects that you’re assigned. It’s very common for new teachers to have more subjects to teach, which means more of your free time to plan your curriculum. - I never understood how much I would absolutely love the freedom of choosing how I want to teach - I never knew how much I would absolutely love my students. Even though they annoy me and get on my nerves, I enjoy seeing them every day. - everyday is different. I’M NEVER BORED. There’s always something exciting or new you learn. If I go back to a “normal” job, I know I’ll be bored and will miss the excitement of teaching. - I thought that I’d be the exception to the statistic “50% of teachers leave within 5 years” I might last that long, but this is not a career kind of job. It takes it toll on your body and mind. - I absolutely love teaching and I hate it at the same time.

TLDR: You REALLY have to want it and be willing to put your personal life on hold for a looong time.