Thread: Should PHDs be teaching in both high and college?

I am confused -- will he keep his high school teaching job and the college teaching position part time (night classes)?

Leslie, yes, the college teaching would be at night. But do you see any potential negatives for him or is he just being over sensitive?

Tedd Kelly
Author
Going to College . . . Without the Stress
[url]http://www.cerr.com[/url]

I think it's possible he may run into an isolated instance of one or the other. But certainly not across the board with most students. I taught in community college with a prof who taught high school during the day and college at night. The guy loved teaching -- and that's what he told anyone who commented -- even though it was obvious to all who knew him

I think as long as your colleague teaches the curriculum -- high school and college respectively -- then he won't have a problem. Many high school teachers "moonlight" in the college classroom. It is a change of pace and refreshes one for the daytime job!

Hi Tedd....

I really don't see a conflict. I think the problem he envisions will only occur in isolated instances with a few, scattered students over time.

I completed my B.A. and M.A.Ed with Instructors who were totally "adjunct;" they have other careers, in other places. As far as I know, NOBODY ever thought anything about it!

The coursework is the coursework.... it IS what it IS.... I don't think he needs to worry about this.

And by the way.... you want an interesting combination? I teach Kindergarten and run an after-school remedial reading program for at-risk second graders. (5-8 yr olds) I ALSO have a night job.... teaching NEW teachers how to teach reading.

Thanks, Leslie. I will share your comments with him. In the meantime he has found an English as Second Language teacher doing the same thing at the same college. She reported more good than bad about the students she taught first in high school

On another topic (but not another thread) I came across this URL asking for submission of papers to a Community College conference and thought you might be interested. The URL is [url]http://www.nacac.com/jrnl_writerguide.html.[/url]

Kim, all I can say is "You love teaching."

Tedd

While going through my undergrad classes - there were MANY times my prof. had only taught a few years (usually the minimum) in the classroom. Half the time they did not have a clue about the real world. I think perhaps the teacher you are talking about may have a better understanding of how the skills build on each other from HS to college by teaching both.

Originally Posted by tedd

I have a colleague with a PhD in math who teaches math in high school "for an OK salary." A local public college has offered him a position next year to teach two courses in math that will pay him half as much as makes in high school. He could possibly have some of his high school students in his classes next year. His question is will teaching at the college level make potential high school students think he will be too hard because he teaches in college and his potential college students think he is too easy because teaches in high school. Any thoughts?

Tedd Kelly
Author
Going to College . . . Without the Stress
[url]http://www.cerr.com[/url]

Well, I do much the same thing, but I am an elementary school teacher. I teach as an adjunct at my local state university and I teach third grade. My students know that I do this and think it's interesting. When I taught somewhat older children I got much the same from them.

I think it's a great opportunity for your friend.


Tom Nixon

I don't think there should be an issue. It's not an uncommon circumstance and I am seeing a lot of teachers spread into different fields. I think it's great. A lot of high school students like it because they get some experience with a college-level educator.