Florida Teaching Certificate − 24 March, 2007
After three years of paperwork, tests, and classes, I was finally approved for my official Florida Teaching Certificate on this date.
I am a mid-life career changer. Before 2004, I was a pharmaceutical research chemist. Then, that year, I decided I needed a change, and switched to teaching. Ever since, I've been a sixth grade science teacher.
Now, some of you out there are like "Oh, Man, middle school -- I wouldn't wish that on anyone."
How wrong that is.
Sixth grade is the ideal time to teach science. The kids develop the ability for advanced, abstract thought at that age, yet still are free to be curious. They aren't all wound up in themselves and their image as they will be in later grades -- they can still experience the pure joy of learning something, without getting self conscious about "being cool."
I've never been able to restrict myself to enjoying only one area of science. Even when I was a chemist, I still kept up with physics, astronomy, biology, geology -- all the sciences. What other sort of job is there for someone like me?
I am a mid-life career changer. Before 2004, I was a pharmaceutical research chemist. Then, that year, I decided I needed a change, and switched to teaching. Ever since, I've been a sixth grade science teacher.
Now, some of you out there are like "Oh, Man, middle school -- I wouldn't wish that on anyone."
How wrong that is.
Sixth grade is the ideal time to teach science. The kids develop the ability for advanced, abstract thought at that age, yet still are free to be curious. They aren't all wound up in themselves and their image as they will be in later grades -- they can still experience the pure joy of learning something, without getting self conscious about "being cool."
I've never been able to restrict myself to enjoying only one area of science. Even when I was a chemist, I still kept up with physics, astronomy, biology, geology -- all the sciences. What other sort of job is there for someone like me?
