Recruiting older teachers should be one solution to address the current teacher shortage crisis. Some states claim to be calling retired teachers back to the classroom to help during the pandemic. Does this include senior teachers? Will they be permanent positions?
School districts should be searching for incentives and ways to attract all teachers, including older Americans, back to the classroom.
In 2015, I wrote a post about teachers and age discrimination. I still hear from teachers saddened to see their dream of teaching crushed due to their age.
Denying older teachers’ work is not only a loss for teachers but students! Senior teachers could be helpful during these uncertain times because they remember history and past difficulties. They might help young people overcome their worries. Students hear different perspectives and learn to communicate with older individuals. Without this connection, students miss out.
I condensed some of the comments from the previous post. Notice the fear and sadness teachers express about losing their teaching positions and not being hired for jobs they love.
Here’s one helpful comment for those searching for teaching positions at this time.
I found that the educational hiring fairs can help you get a foot in the door if you are in line early enough. The interviews are held right there, with many districts represented in one room.
The other comments were mostly negative. Many were made before Covid.
Feel free to share your current experience. Helpful suggestions are especially welcome. I’d like to hear from senior teachers currently being hired. Here’s hoping the value of your expertise is recognized at this critical time.
- I made top grades on all the “required” courses for a license, but the only number they saw was my age.
- It’s getting to where it is not just people at or over 50 dealing with age discrimination, I am seeing it happen to those at or near 40 now.
- Our new young principal was heard saying to new parents…”We have a number of veteran teachers here but I’m working on fixing that.”
- I have ex-students now teachers who say I inspired them. Now I sub for them once in a while.
- After 20+ years of glowing evaluations and positive feedback from parents and students, I was suddenly rated “needs improvement” by a principal that had never taught a day in his life.
- I think the ultimate goal involves online schooling. You nailed it.
- The states have been stacking the deck against old teachers for years. Sadly, of late, they are stacking the deck against ALL teachers.
- Districts will have you sub your ass off without any contract offers. They use you to death and unless you’re connected, forget about it.
- I had several interviews and have been told I was number 2 and wasn’t chosen.
- A big part of the problem is that there is no incentive for unions to fight ageism. The new teacher will pay the same dues.
- I was a School Counselor, with L.C.S.W., P.P.S.C., and a multisubject teaching credential. I was told I was not highly qualified and run out at 59 after 24 yrs in the same district.
- John Deasy at a Teach Plus presentation to a young audience: “It is ridiculous for anyone to think of teaching for more than 5 years before they move on to a real career.”
- People over 50 are not wanted anywhere, even higher education. This is a horrendous societal problem that EVERYONE ignores.
- By not hiring teachers they get bargains for substitute teachers.
- I went to subbing (7) years ago because there are so few (if any) jobs for the ‘mature’ crowd and some of us must still work. Today I make the same $100 a day (full day) with no benefits, no support, and the label “temp employee”. That actually comes out at a little over $14 an hour.
- I have college teaching experience (10 years as an adjunct – 3 years p/t in public school) including a Master’s Degree and an expired Postgraduate Professional License (teaching) as of 2018. Why bother with renewing?
- We lost one of the best art teachers in our county, a wonderful ESL teacher, EC teacher, a great and loved Kindergarten & 1st-grade teacher within the past 5 years due to age, and 3 out of the 5 were not ready to leave. All have been replaced with young applicants. Most turn around we have had in years. I’m worried I may be next on the list.
- I’m now 67 [male] with a Master’s degree and have sent out 203 applications, and I had one interview.
- Now that I am nearing 50, I can’t get interviews. I recently attended a job fair for a school district I had several connections and inroads with, and was told by one principal there that I would never get a classroom because I “was on the wrong side of 40.”
- I’ve given up getting back into a classroom after putting so much time and money into pursuing that dream, getting a Master’s in Education to make me the best teacher I could be and I’ve gone back into the private sector. I love what I am doing now, and am making a LOT more money than I did as a teacher…but it isn’t teaching. I would have given anything, literally ANYTHING to be able to have a classroom again because that is what I am hardwired to do.
- No one is a fool for wanting to further their education, but it’s a ‘fool’s game’ to think any opportunities are available in the school system.
- This culture is focused on simplistic YOUTH, where age seems to be a qualification for everything, including teaching.
- It’s sickening to still have a good brain better than when we were young and be sent out to pasture.
- I work in a school district now, but in a clerical position while I watch youngsters, and not always very bright ones, get hired for teaching jobs right out of their credential program.
- People talk so much about what’s wrong with education, but nobody wants to tell the truth. The hiring process is flawed, and it’s a cult of youth these days. Just shameful.
- After teaching at the university level for ten years, I realized that would never go anywhere beyond adjunct status. No benefits – nothing. There are people who remain adjuncts forever.
- Five times I applied for an art teacher opening – was never considered. Those who got those jobs were young women right out of school – no experience – no advanced degrees, and usually no license (pending, of course).
- In my district, a sub with a degree makes $20 more (full day of subbing) than a person right out of high school. I hold three degrees and a Postgraduate Professional License. No point in renewing it.
- Some of this has to do with the salary structure that collective bargaining has helped to create, don’t you think?
- I still know more about reading and what books students will read with gusto than any young teacher today. What they don’t realize by not hiring us is that the students are losing because of it.
- Somehow I’m “fantastic’, and interview very well, and have “superb classroom management skills,” yet don’t get hired as a permanent teacher. Always beaten out by younger teachers with no experience.
- I am now in a private school in a permanent position. The pay is disgustingly low, but what choice do I have?
- I am a 65-year-old new teacher grad. I have an M.Ed in Instructional Design and Educational Technology. I’ve applied for 18 elementary teaching jobs, yet I haven’t received an interview. Every application asks for my birthdate.
- Major urban city districts used “rubber rooms” to oust veteran teachers, minority teachers, and political rascals.
- I’ve been working in the same district since 1987 and am one of the oldest teachers in my middle school building. A few years ago our district hired a new superintendent who, according to a source in the district office, asked for a list of teachers over 50!
- I couldn’t get into public school, I tried for 4 years as a long-term sub but got beat out by younger teachers (only to find out many lasted one year and got pink-slipped). I’m in a private school now, getting paid very, very low, but it’s all I have right now.
- Age discrimination is rampant with labeled, “Turnaround School”. Doesn’t that sound a lot better than, “Age Discrimination School”?
- At my previous school, the principal called some older teachers dinosaurs to their faces. Cannot imagine what she said behind our backs.
- I’m in my 27th year of teaching and my district is TOXIC. I’d LOVE to get out, but no one will hire a teacher at the top of the pay scale.
- Try being a mid-career changer and getting illegally dumped by a school district after getting five years in. It is worse when there is no spouse to cushion the economic blow.
- It is taking forever to get my license due to the open hostility to out-of-state teachers.
Foreseeing this problem, several years ago I founded http://www.EnlightenEducationCo-op,org whose mission was to hire retired teachers on a part time basis and pay them with money raised by philanthropy to serve as teacher assistants in the public schools, especially those in low income neighborhoods. Covid has set us back but we will continue with an emphasis on tutoring and mentoring. Most retirees do not want to work full time and shouldn’t have to. We want to pay about $25/hr. and try to access the deep well of talent that currently is not tapped. Ask any teacher what they most need and she/he will say: another adult in the classroom. Please visit our website and consider a donation, Thanks, Will Bronson, President and Founder, EEC Inc. 501c3
Thank you for sharing, William. I like the idea of hiring teachers part-time, never explored really in public schools, but why teaching assistants? Who are qualified, credentialled teachers going to assist? Can’t teachers teach half-day shifts?
And I’m concerned about the emphasis on tutoring and mentoring. Children, especially those in disadvantaged areas, need qualified, well-prepared teachers to lead them. They also need consistency.
The more I read about your business, it sounds like a tutoring agency which is fine, but many professional teachers want and need real jobs. But best of luck.
We like to call it the grandparent effect, three generations learning together.
Thanks for explaining. That might be nice for those who would like it, but I’m focusing more on employment for professionals who earned degrees and still want actual teaching positions in a school. Some are being let go early due to step pay increases. Students need real teachers.
I just completed my second year of teaching after a long absence from the education field. I was recently not renewed despite good reviews and replaced by a student teacher. I’ve applied for 13 positions in my county and have received only two calls. My coworker has already had over 10 interviews and two job offers. She’s 24 years old and I’m 53 years old. I feel like I’m being discriminated against and have no recourse.
I am so sorry, Virginia.
I am a part time elementary school librarian. I retired a few years ago, waited a year and then came back. In my district, there are several part time positions.
Thanks for sharing, Nancy.
Young adults can also be victims of age discrimination as the allegation were are “far-left” “entitled” “communist” of something like that by older people. African American and Indigenous Native American teachers are victims of employment discrimination. by the euro-centric school system not just in the US but in Latin America’s school system as well. Male teachers at the Elementary level are victims of discrimination by the hyper-gamist school system and ousted with dubious allegations of abuse. Teachers with disabilities are discriminated against and treated as incapable of loving care of their students and colleagues. It is not just old people and teachers who suffer employment discrimination. Teachers assistants and low level administrator job applicants with similar rights to make discrimination claims should also be talked about on this blog.
Sure. But age discrimination is rampant in education due to the step pay increase. The older you are the more likely you are on a higher step and paid more. But thanks, Will, good points.
Heads of Departments tend to give new teachers (older or not) the most challenging classes in KS3, leaving them with KS4 and 5 classes in which it is easier to teach, especially Year 11 and 13. I think the distribution of teaching hours needs to be oversee by the Head/HR to ensure fairness and the well-being of all members of the staff.
I’ve been trying to find a classroom since I graduated with my MAT in May, the rest of my cohort found positions quick, coming from one of the best universities in the area, where I am also a member and former officer of KDP, but I am a 41 year old first year teacher, so I don’t quite fit the direction that schools are going for it seems. As a veteran of the US Army for 10 years, with a BAED and an MAT with previous work as an IA in SPED programs you would think my resume speaks for itself, until they see i am a 41 year old man that is a first year teacher. So when ever someone says there is a teacher shortage I usually laugh and tell them how it really is. There is a shortage of cookie cutter young hip teachers. So now I have to prove myself as a substitute. to get a classroom that my younger classmates were given right away, with less actual experience than me.
I am sorry. I experienced something similar in my 40s after taking some time to be a stay-at-home mom. But a situation arose where they needed a part-time teacher, which is unheard of, and later it became a full-time position. So I will keep my fingers crossed for you. You sound like you have good credentials and are still young, so hang in there. Thanks for sharing.
I retired from banking in 2009 at age 55,. I had a distinguished career. I always thought about being a teacher so I went back to college for 5 years receiving straight A’s graduating summa cum laude with several endorsements and a minor in Early Childhood Education in 2016. I’ve applied for 100’s of jobs since I have never gotten an interview, not even for a para, bus driver or janitor! Lucky for me I have a great pension. Never did it for the money. Subbing here and sick of hearing about the “teacher shortage” it’s a hoax!
I hear you, Jeffrey. Strange, isn’t it? I don’t think they want real teachers. Thanks for your comment, and I’m sorry you spent so much time studying, but maybe the situation will eventually improve. I hope so.
I just subbed for several month as a second grade teacher in a really rough classroom. I was told everyday that I was doing an great job! Today I was told they hired a permanent teacher for the rest of the year. I was not even even an opportunity to interview for the job! When I asked the Principal why, she said she “didn’t have time to talk about it”! but would give me a great reference! They hired a teacher in her early 20’s with no experience. I am heart broken.
Jeff
I’m so sorry, Jeff. I had something similar happen to me years ago. My guess is they were able to pay less for less experience. Take the reference I guess and move on to where you’re really needed if you can. I wish you luck and don’t forget how you likely helped those students and they won’t forget you. Hang in there, and check back and let us know how you make out. Thanks for sharing. You’re not alone.
I think it has to do with how much they have to pay you and people not recognizing the value of of experience.l am 58 and have to work for the rest of my life due to a financially crushing divorce. I am a special education teacher .Where l work currently none of my varied experience matters to anyone.When l started teaching as a 23 year old ,my favorite teachers were teachers who were in their 70s…l learned so much from them … something has gone in the wrong direction There definitely is a teacher shortage but somedistricts operate on nepotism as well.Very sad…
I’m so sorry, Julie. And I totally agree with you. Thank you.
I have definitely felt this sort of discrimination at 45, but I’m not totally sure it is age-related or “we perceive you as having great experience, but that is too expensive” discrimination. In my geographical area, there are still hundreds, if not thousands of applicants for positions. There is a substitute shortage, but not necessarily a teacher shortage.
I thought it wouldn’t be too hard to get back in to public education with 15 years of experience, certifications in elementary, music, art, English, and biology. I was so very wrong! I took time away from public education to raise my kids, one of whom is special needs and needed multiple forms of therapy each week. In the interim, I am still teaching in other capacities and assessing continuing education courses for teachers. None of this experience is viewed as an asset. In fact, it is a liability. It is disheartening, because my time away from public school teaching and raising my children has, in some ways, been my most valuable professional development.
Thanks for sharing, Meg. I experienced something similar and felt the same way about child raising. Once had a professor ask me why I did such a thing, like I’d ruined my career. Yet watching children develop is incredibly instructional, especially considering language development. I’m sure what you learned and the benefits to your children were worth it, and they benefited. Society needs to get with the program. They’re rejecting excellent teachers who would also be understanding and good communicators with other parents!
I have 28 years of teaching experience. I also have TESOL, reading, bilingual, language arts endorsements and a BA, MA, and Ph.D. It is extremely illegal to be discriminated against and especially as only less than 3% in Iowa are Latino or Asian and 1% or less have a PhD. Nationwide. A small district hired me last year and paid my salary—the districts I am applying to now are closer to home and bigger with bigger budgets and have a greater need for diversity too.
Good luck, Tina. Thanks for sharing. Iowa has always been an excellent state for education, so I hope they are continuing to hire and legally following the rules.
Thank you all for opening my eyes. I’m an “older” male with a JD, MBA, and MA (M&F Counselling), and 27 years of military service. Moreover, I’m an Associate Professor at a local university where I teach and have taught a full-course load for 10+ years. I always thought teaching K-12 would be a rewarding “final” career, especially since my daughter is a long-time high-school teacher, and thus I explored becoming certified through one of the programs designed to alleviate the teacher shortage. Interestingly, my teacher-daughter strongly recommended against this pursuit, citing the frustrating and unrewarding environment she’s struggled with thanks to a changed educational environment.
The comments here mirror her perceptions and close the door to my somewhat romanticized and naive view of the K-12 world. Too bad, I offer a lifetime of love and hard-earned wisdom that I believe is sorely needed by today’s youngsters, especially in low-performing schools. Alas, it appears short-sightedness still rules the day.
I am sorry to hear this, George but I understand your daughter’s perspective. Teaching is tough these days and there’s little support in many places. Teachers are not always allowed to be the experts they are and are told what to teach and how to teach. For many, it has lost its creative joy. I hope there will be a backtrack and Americans will get behind their public schools and teachers in the future. But I don’t see that happening at this time. Thanks for your interesting comment, and I wish you well in whatever you pursue. And I hope your daughter will know that many students do appreciate her.
I am 77. I want to get a job teaching. I am a great teacher. Any tips?
Show references and it might help if it’s a school district where there’s a teacher shortage. Signing up to sub could get you connections at the school, show how good you can be as a teacher, and also make sure your credentials are up to date. Good luck!
I never thought this would happen to me. 8 years of teaching and then I took way more years off than I planned to with my kids- we didn’t have a good childcare arrangement so I stayed home thinking I could always go back to teaching. Now after 4 years of long term sub positions and glowing letters of recommendation , I’ve applied for literally dozens of jobs and usually don’t even get a call. I’ve watched inexperienced young people get the jobs I apply for. It’s terrifying.
I’m so sorry, Kathy. So many of us have faced this and it’s tough and rotten. Are you higher on the pay scale? That might mean the school wants to pay for those with fewer years of experience. I hate to tell you to look at private or parochial schools, since I support public schools, but it may be easier to get a job there. The pay is usually less though.
I hope something comes around that you enjoy and where you can use your talents. Keep us posted.