I know from personal experience that tech teachers are in short supply. It’s not unusual for a school to transfer the PE teacher or 2nd grade teacher into the Tech Teacher job because they can’t find anyone else for that position. ZDNet has a great article addressing the subject:
How to get into tech as a teacher
Tech careers are in high demand. The tech field attracts many career-changing professionals with strong salaries and diverse career paths. And teachers are uniquely positioned to move into tech.
If you’ve wondered how to get into tech as a teacher, you may think the field is intimidating. But while some tech careers require coding skills, many do not. By highlighting your transferable skills and educational strengths, you can move into careers like instructional designer, eLearning developer, training specialist, or technical writer.
More about teaching tech
- Teacher Appreciation Week–Gifts for the Tech Teacher (humorous)
- What’s a Tech Teacher Do With Their Summer Off?
- A Day in the Life of a Tech Teacher (humorous)
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
It’s too late for me, Jacqui, but I’m sure the information will be interesting to many.
I actually became a tech teacher at about your age, Norah. I applied to be a math teacher. That opening was filled, but they were desperate for a tech teacher. I’d never taught it before but I was brave!
About my age!!! I wouldn’t have even thought you were near my age!!! 😅
Just out of curiousity now, how old were you when you became a tech teacher?
Early 50’s. Not what you’d expect in a tech teacher, but the school was desperate (it was August–10 days before the new year) and I was inspired. Sigh. Fun days.
I can almost remember being 50. 😂 You were brave. I would have liked being a tech teacher back then too, perhaps. But I enjoyed being a year one teacher more, but always loved including tech in the classroom. I used to laugh at the young 20-30-somethings who would be talking to us ‘older’ teachers about using tech. I felt like telling him I’d been using tech before he was born!!! 🤣🤣🤣
That’s funny. I know what you mean. I got that chat from the nerdy 8th grade boys!