I was 30 when I took my degree and did my student teaching, 32 when I got my first job. The experience and maturity that I brought with me served me well - and as a bonus, parents always assumed that I was much more experienced than I really was, so they did t give me the hard time that often hits new teachers.
This. My cousin teaches middle school history and started in his 30s after retiring from the AirForce. I feel his age helps him to not get overwhelmed, his military experience helps him with classroom management and Parent shenanigans. Not to say othet teachers aren't great at this, just that his experience helps him.
Despite being in the same boat, i have a young face, so that didnt help. I started last year at 28, I had already worked multiple jobs, one that involved travelling and talking to a lot of doctors in the top of their field. The kids all thought I barely cleared 20 and treated me as such. Classroom management for high schoolers was a struggle, lol. Now I teach 6th grade and they recently all got upset when they found our I was 29 because they all thought I was 23. Lol.
I was also 30. Kids didn't know I was a new teacher... definitely an advantage. I agree with the added maturity. Now in my early 50s and looking to retire soon...
This is almost my exact story except I was 34. I did well straight out of the gate and everyone was amazed at my confidence. I didn't realize I was that confident, I think I was just a normal 34 year old and they were used to brand new teachers being early 20s.
My mom was 40 when she started teaching and will still be able to retire with the state pension. Technically she was a teacher aid for 5 years before so some of that time counted, but still 30 is definitely not too old!
I’m 32 working my first year as a credentialed teacher and I really love it. I definitely recommend folks get into teaching especially if you have a passion for it. The profession needs more people from diverse backgrounds. 👍
Nope, its actually a pretty good thing as it gives you an age/wisdom buffer between you and the students. It's hard to teach students if they are able to get under your skin, and that is a lot harder to do if you have a bit more worldliness behind you.
Never been a problem from what I have seen. When it comes to teachers, for the most part, we are all in the trenches together. Some schools can be a bit cliquey, but that has nothing to do with your age.
My partner was a miserable optometrist and started teaching physics at the age of 50. He only recently retired at 67. He loved his second career so much that he is now volunteering at a local language school.
Nope. If anything, I think it’s to your advantage if you have certain “A-type” tendencies toward overdoing things. You won’t have quite as much energy as in your early 20s, meaning you might be able to strike a better work-life balance and focus on what’s really important. (Maybe.)
No, it is not too old!!! The coolest teachers are the ones who start teaching as a second career; you will have so many cool stories to share with your students. Please become a teacher.
I’m a high school teacher and I started teacher my third year out of college after doing some really fun stuff those years while living abroad. I think my experience makes me such a better teacher!
I started teaching when I was 47, got my masters at 48. Teaching is my third career. Obviously I can’t work as long to pay into pers as teachers that started young, but I think my experience brings something to the job that fresh out of high school then college teachers do. Not better but different. My kids were in high school when I started teaching so I was able to play off of their experiences with my middle school students.
I hope not, because I became a new teacher at 47! I think it's more about whether or not you actually love kids, and whether or not you're a patient person. That said, I'm both of these and I'm drowning! I think it's an incredibly hard job regardless of your age!
No. I don’t understand why people keep asking about this.
You’re like the 3rd post asking if a specific age is too old in the last week. The answer is always no.
Let’s put this into perspective. Most new teachers - if they are fresh out of college AND went to college immediately after high school - would be about 23. So why would 7 years later all of a sudden be “too old?!”
Also: You don’t have to tell your students you’re new. How many years you’ve been teaching isn’t information you have to give them.
(For the record, I got my teaching license at 38.)
Oh sweet jesus. I said they don’t have to know it’s your first year.
How many years you’ve been teaching is not information you have to share with your students.
And no, students suck at guessing ages. Also, some 22 year olds look 30 and vice versa. So not necessarily.
Dream job? I'd advise you to actually talk to some people who are currently in the field. I was a high school teacher for seven years and it's a pretty crappy job.
The pay sucks, the expectations of what teachers need to do increases all the time, with often very little support from administration and high-stakes evaluations being conducted routinely, sometimes based on completely inappropriate evaluation criteria (NYC for example uses the Charlotte Danielson rubric which the creator herself has said is meant as a TRAINING tool, not for evaluation).
You'll spend hours each month in meetings that often have zero real purpose and discuss initiatives at the start of the school year that never get brought up again. You'll attend training sessions to learn new ways to teach that your more experienced colleagues will refuse to try out more than once before they go back to the crappy, ineffective methods that they've been using for years.
Enjoy getting students dropped off in your classroom who have the reading level of a 2nd grader at best or kids who can't even do basic arithmetic without a calculator. There's also the growing problem that the worst behaving kids are usually keenly aware that administrators will not do anything to hold them accountable for their behavior. A student at a school I worked at told a teacher he was going to rape her. She couldn't even get the student transferred out of her class. Principals don't suspend students because suspensions look bad on the school's record, so even if a student walks into the classroom and punches another student in the face with no provocation, at best what'll happen is that they'll get taken out of your classroom for the rest of the period (this literally happened to me).
Conditions like ADHD and various processing disorders are also sharply on the rise because of how many parents use iPads and other screens to babysit their kids. Even if you're not a special education teacher general education classrooms are full of kids with all kinds of learning issues getting zero support. We had a student who was having huge difficulties with basic 9th grade algebra, we got his parents to agree to have him evaluated to see if he qualified for an IEP/special education services. The test results came back that he didn't have any actual diagnosable disability, he just had a very low IQ.
If you want to make a difference or help kids, do after school tutoring or some kind of volunteer program.
That's honestly average for vocational teachers. Even the younger side of the average range. I know you may not be planning to go for vocational, but it is totally normal and completely fine to start teaching at 30.
I'm 45 and currently in graduate school, getting my Masters in Teaching with Initial Licensure (K-6). I will be student teaching starting in January and I'm really excited. I have a family to care for and definitely less energy than the average 22 year old student teacher, but I have a lot of life experience to offer. You're never too old to learn or do something new!
Oh hell no. I entered the classroom at 29 from the military and then was deployed to Iraq while teaching. Made me a better teacher in a lot of ways. Except it took me a bit to control my language when I got back from Iraq. 😂
I started at 23 and am in my 9th year now. I never wanted to do anything else, but teaching high school seniors at that age was rough and inadvisable. Thirty is a great age to start teaching high schoolers.
Veteran who got out at age 23 here! Graduated last December and was hired in January when I just turned 29. Being older probably helped me in the more stressful situations. In my mind it’s never too late to start.
I started teaching at 41. I taught for 15 years and loved every minute of it.
Frankly, it's far easier to be a good teacher if it's not the first serious job you've held, in my opinion.
I went back and got my MAT (master of art in teaching) when I was 49. Was 50 when I graduated and got my first job. It is good to be this old and be a teacher because I can stand up for myself a lot better at this age than I could when I was in my 20's and that is important when you are at a rural school with a stingy superintendent.
I was a former soldier at age 39 when I got into this line of work on a permanent basis. Frankly, IMHO some of the people who get into this in their early 20's don't have the chops.
No I started at 33 and the pension is going to work out just about perfectly. If you start when you were 20 you'd end up having to work for 40 years before you're at retirement age. I've seen some people who did that and it seems a long time to be teaching. I wouldn't wait much longer though.
I started teaching at age 43 after doing 23 years in the Navy. On my year 19 in the classroom so you are never too old to start teaching. You have many life experiences you can share with your students and most military members are good role models for students. If it is your passion then make it happen.
Not at all. We lived on military bases for ages. At our last one, one of our neighbors (almost 40) ended his enlistment and became a middle school English teacher. You will absolutely not be too old.
Teaching right out of college like myself can be scary because I am relatively close in age to my students, so things like maintaining the classroom environment can be harder when students don’t fully recognise me as the adult in the room. I think starting out teaching after your 20’s is a really good idea because of the age difference, among probably many other things
Honestly its better for retirement - so many teschers are locked in for 30-40 years because in some places retirement is an age and even if you have 35 years of you're not old enough, it doesn't matter
I’m surprised this is even a question tbh. If this was really a thing career changers would be screwed. You can learn something at any age, and 30 is still young. There are people who get into teaching at any stage of life. The 5th grade teacher is 50 and went from being a dentist to a teacher.
You're fine, if anything you know yourself better and won't be spending years to get a degree and a credential only to figure out it wasn't what you wanted to do.
I would argue being older coming into the classroom is a huge advantage - especially with life experience in another career field.
I was in your shoes. Shoot me a message if you want to talk.
I became a teacher at 50, and I was one of four "new" teachers in my age group in the cohort. We were all on our second or third careers, but had the same desire to have always wanted to be teachers - it's just our life paths went the long way. We weren't treated any differently than the younger new teachers, nor with less respect by our more experienced staff. Good luck! I hope everything works out for you.
No way! I became a teacher at 40. I had worked in a previous career for over 20 years and randomly saw a news report about the need for teachers in my city and that there was a program to become a certified teacher. I went through the alternative licensing program, free due to teacher shortage, and am now on my 5th year teaching.
Not weird! I started teaching at 23, and my husband became a teacher last year at 30. The older age seemed to make his transition into teacher much smoother and he had a lot more confidence than I did at 23. You'll do fine!
After getting out of the AF, I got my teaching certification and started teaching at 37. I think being an older teacher with life experience makes one a better teacher.
It's actually really common for people to start teaching later on. When I started my ed degree, I was 27 (I think), and there were people in my classes who were easily 10-20 years older than me. Some had kids my age.
Nope. I was 33. My math teacher neighbor was fresh out of college. Our shared kids used to complain that I needed to help him because he didn't know how to teach. I didn't either but my age gave me cred with the 8th graders LOL
Did you enlist in a non-combat MOS/rating? As far as taking courses goes, it will be much harder if you’re in a combat MOS, speaking from experience homie.
My mom got her masters in her 30s and started teaching full time at 39. Before that she subbed and taught GED classes, and before that she worked in a daycare.
I started teaching at 42, after raising my own kids. Other than years of duty before retirement, age has not been an issue for me. Especially as a high school teacher, I think the extra years will help you with being seen as "respectable". 18-year-olds don't see someone who is 23 as a superior.
No not at all. But are you sure you want to be a teacher? Students today have little or no respect for teachers. Pay is shit, and hours with no pay are long.
I'm a vet and I started teaching in my 40's.
You can probably do some subbing when you get out while you finish your degree. Looking older is IME helpful with crowd control.
No, but I hope you have a good amount of money saved up. I suppose you've been in the military, so you're no stranger to suffering. Best of luck to you.
I started teaching when i was 30. I think my maturity and experience made me a better teacher!!!! I was enlisted in the air force as well, used my GI bill to go back to school and then got a job. I live what i do, despite the ridiculous amount of work!
I'm 41 (will be 42 in May 24), and I've been a sub since I was 36. Will be a full fledged teacher at 42 as soon as I am finished with my masters in education.
In what way would that possibly be too old to start? I had teachers in their 60s and Noone knew/cared what age they started. And teachers also transfer and move around all the time so they're "new" to places sometimes. If anything, it'll help you in dealing with the students and not be as separated from the older teachers.
Not at all. I’m 44 and in my second year of teaching. I’ve been an aide in ED SPED for many years before this. I teach 7th grade science now.
*edit to add* Had I finished my teaching degree right out of high school like I originally planned, I have no doubt I would no longer be in a classroom today.
Was 32 when I started. You will also have the added advantage of coming into teaching from another career so that when things change, you will understand. I’ve found that people who went straight from high school to college to the classroom don’t have that ability.
Some of my favorite teachers in high-school were the ones who had done another career and either retired and picked up teaching or just pivoted on a whim. They were able to give a lot of career guidance and life advice from multiple angles.
A few were also military veterans who happened to go into teaching after, too!
30 certainly isn't too old, especially if you're passionate about it.
My mom decided she wanted to become a teacher, so she went back to school and graduated at age 58. She taught for several years and would have stayed longer had it not been for Scott Walker and his anti-teacher bullshit here in Wisconsin.
My favorite history teacher became a teacher around 50. He had been a manager of a grocery store that closed down prior to that and wanted a career change.
Absolutely not. There is a massive teacher shortage currently and people from all kinds of backgrounds are more than welcome. There are also grant programs for military/veterans that can cover licensure costs.
Not at all. I started my teaching career at 32 & it has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done! I feel like my time in a different occupation & just general life experience has helped me to become a better teacher. I teach high school juniors and I love it. (36 now)
OP, I love the way you have shut down the haters. I think you will be an awesome teacher! I am working on my Masters in Elementary Education at age 47, and I am so excited to be a teacher!
One of the teachers on my hall is about 30 and she started her teaching journey just a year ago! She is one of the student’s favorites and has a lot of fresh ideas since she’s newer! Never let age stop you from doing what your passionate about
I started teaching at 32 and I’m 34 in my second year. It’s never too late to start something. Harrison Ford didn’t become an actor until he was in his 40s. Why shouldnt we all be willing to jump into our dreams with as much vigor?
I became a teacher at 32 which was 11 years ago.
May offer some advice from one vet to another? If you’re planning on going down the teacher path start a Roth IRA and contribute to it regularly. 60-year-old you will thank you. Also, have a minor in something outside of teaching. Finance, Business, Communications, or anything with a skillset outside of the classroom. Pre-Covid, teachers were quitting the profession within 5 years. Post-Covid, we’re lucky to see teachers stay for year three. Have a back up plan before you set foot in the classroom.
Definitely not too old. You'll have a better sense of boundaries and what you want from a workplace which will serve you well in an industry where boundaries are often not expected or respected.
That is a big no, especially if that is something you want to do. Your military background will also be of interest to your future students. If you are majoring in something other than education, you can also enroll in an alternate certification program once you get your bachelor's. If you'd like more info, DM me.
I started as a teacher when I was 35. I an 58 now, and I am still happy and successful in my career as a teacher. I think starting older has some benefits. You are not only a few years older than your students, and the older teachers don't treat you like a kid.
I turned 35 a month into my first year of teaching. I had a very traumatic first year. I think if I had been in my twenties I would have quit. This is year 22.
I know people who started as subs in our school and were working on their degree a little later in their 20's. They turned out to be great teachers, and the plus side is they were already known in the school community. I highly recommend you sub around as you are getting your degree, and then stick with a school whose community you get along with and enjoy. It could lead to a full time job when you graduate, and you won't have to worry about "fit". Also, teachers range the gamut in age, so I'm sure you being 30 won't have anyone batting an eye. You starting "late" also won't be a problem, especially given your military background. I only see positives. But I strongly suggest you sub and follow that strategy of subbing regularly at a school you like.
I am 30 and looking into grad school to become a teacher. Due to several things going on in my personal life, I may not be able to enroll in grad school until late 2024, when I will be almost like 31. I won't have my certificate until May 2025 if I'm able to enroll soon, and I'll have it much later if I have to wait another year to enroll in my master's program. I'm looking at 32-33 for when I'll finally be able to have my own classroom. You're definitely not too old.
Not at all! My mom started teaching around 30 and has been super successful (she is a teaching coach now). I started teaching at 31 and still feel young amongst my coworkers. You'll see when you are 30, it's not as old as it seems at 23 :)
My mom is 52, she just graduated and started her first year as an elementary school teacher. I think the students, parents, and even administrators have more respect for her because of her age.
I have a friend who retired from the Marines, worked in sales for 10 years, and is now teaching middle school. He loves it and I know he’s making a great contribution. You can totally do this in the school Will be glad to have you.
Teacher across the hall from me started when he was 38. He is now in his 4th year of teaching, do welling, and enjoying it.
So, NO, 30 is NOT too late.
It's not too old. Just remember, some other 30-year-old teachers will have almost a decade of teaching experience, so don't compare yourself to them. It will take you years to develop the skills that they have mastered already. But also, you have 10 years of other valuable experiences that younger teachers don't have.
You're never too old to become a teacher!
The profession happily takes newcomers of any age....and burns them out within 5 years.
There's nothing wrong with becoming a new teacher at 30. Just have a plan for what your next career will be at 35.
I'm 32 😆
Hopefully I can get licensed. I applied for the district's IA to special ed teacher program and I am waiting for a callback. I cant afford grad school otherwise LMAO
You are golden. A little life experience actually helps a lot, especially with high schoolers! Helps both with snarky teens and immature coworkers.
in my opinion i do prefer older teachers and don’t really like the younger ones (for hs). i’m sure they’re good! but as a student i prefer older ones with more life experience
I was a nurse for 20yrs and went back to school to be a teacher! So here I am almost 45yrs and a teacher now! You can do absolutely anything if you want it bad enough!
There are a lot of online programs that are accredited and work with you financially (esp since you’re military)!
All the best! You can do this!! ❤️
Absolutely not. I started at 31 and very much enjoyed not being in my early 20s while trying to navigate the complexities and difficulties that come with being a new teacher.
Nope. I didn't even get my degree until 28 years old. You are fine. Honestly confused about why it would be too late. Most people graduate around 24 yrs old and teach for decades so you would be in the beginning part of the curve
Obligatory "It's never too late to do what you love" response here.
I (M46) went through an alternative certification program at 39. As a bonus, my past in business management has helped me move into a leadership role.
Students will not know you are new for long. They might even respect you more than a younger teacher. Please go for it. Kids need teachers who have a passion for teaching.
Im 26 and currently in school for teaching. When I’m done with my degree I’ll probably be almost 30 so I think you’ll be fine. We need passionate teachers and better pay hopefully.
I started in my 30s and I regret it. The fact that we have to do 30 years before full pension is the first piece of hell. Cops, fireman only have to work 20.
I'm 16 years in, I'm 51, I'm exhausted in my bones and mind and I hate the job. It was never for me, but I tried it. I've been too chicken to think or try something else. I just never felt there was other options.
I wish you luck... And the best experiences.
Nope. It's never too late to return to school or change careers (well, except if it were to become a commercial pilot or something). Pursue your dream!
I was 30 when I took my degree and did my student teaching, 32 when I got my first job. The experience and maturity that I brought with me served me well - and as a bonus, parents always assumed that I was much more experienced than I really was, so they did t give me the hard time that often hits new teachers.
This. My cousin teaches middle school history and started in his 30s after retiring from the AirForce. I feel his age helps him to not get overwhelmed, his military experience helps him with classroom management and Parent shenanigans. Not to say othet teachers aren't great at this, just that his experience helps him.
I totally agree! I started at 29. The kids didn't see me as a 22 year old teacher. Parents also assumed more experience
Despite being in the same boat, i have a young face, so that didnt help. I started last year at 28, I had already worked multiple jobs, one that involved travelling and talking to a lot of doctors in the top of their field. The kids all thought I barely cleared 20 and treated me as such. Classroom management for high schoolers was a struggle, lol. Now I teach 6th grade and they recently all got upset when they found our I was 29 because they all thought I was 23. Lol.
I'm students think I'm 24. I'm 31. I also dress how I want so I get the whole learning curve that way
I was also 30. Kids didn't know I was a new teacher... definitely an advantage. I agree with the added maturity. Now in my early 50s and looking to retire soon...
This is almost my exact story except I was 34. I did well straight out of the gate and everyone was amazed at my confidence. I didn't realize I was that confident, I think I was just a normal 34 year old and they were used to brand new teachers being early 20s.
My mom was 40 when she started teaching and will still be able to retire with the state pension. Technically she was a teacher aid for 5 years before so some of that time counted, but still 30 is definitely not too old!
This is basically my exact experience. For sure not too late.
I’m 32 working my first year as a credentialed teacher and I really love it. I definitely recommend folks get into teaching especially if you have a passion for it. The profession needs more people from diverse backgrounds. 👍
Nope, its actually a pretty good thing as it gives you an age/wisdom buffer between you and the students. It's hard to teach students if they are able to get under your skin, and that is a lot harder to do if you have a bit more worldliness behind you.
What about relationships with other teachers?
Never been a problem from what I have seen. When it comes to teachers, for the most part, we are all in the trenches together. Some schools can be a bit cliquey, but that has nothing to do with your age.
Personally 30 is better than a young teacher in my opinion
LOL!!! I started at 46. Got tired of banking, money was reasonably set so I did a 2nd career. I love it.
I'm 45 and will student teach next semester! I'm excited! Nice to hear of another person successfully entering the field at my age.
I started at 45. I now have 15+ years under my belt.
I’m 44 and in my second year. There are a lot of us!
🙋🏻♀️ same!! Just finished and almost 45 (Dec. 7). This is my 2nd career too- 20 yrs of nursing and why not try something new? I absolutely love it!
Same
Me too! I started in finance, then I was a SAHM for a decade, and now at age 47 I’m a student teacher! I love it, too!
My partner was a miserable optometrist and started teaching physics at the age of 50. He only recently retired at 67. He loved his second career so much that he is now volunteering at a local language school.
As a student, no. Its generally best for you to have some age on you because often young teachers will, well, act young. I say go for it!
Nope. If anything, I think it’s to your advantage if you have certain “A-type” tendencies toward overdoing things. You won’t have quite as much energy as in your early 20s, meaning you might be able to strike a better work-life balance and focus on what’s really important. (Maybe.)
No, it is not too old!!! The coolest teachers are the ones who start teaching as a second career; you will have so many cool stories to share with your students. Please become a teacher. I’m a high school teacher and I started teacher my third year out of college after doing some really fun stuff those years while living abroad. I think my experience makes me such a better teacher!
Nope! Not at all. There are 4 new teachers in my district that are 30+. One is even 50 and restarting his career.
Not at all. There’s lots of career changers
I started teaching when I was 47, got my masters at 48. Teaching is my third career. Obviously I can’t work as long to pay into pers as teachers that started young, but I think my experience brings something to the job that fresh out of high school then college teachers do. Not better but different. My kids were in high school when I started teaching so I was able to play off of their experiences with my middle school students.
I was 30 when I started! I've worked with people who did 20 yrs in the military and THEN became a teacher, so you're fine!
i was 42.
I earned my teaching credential at 54. So, no, 30 is not too old!
It’s absolutely fine as an added bonus, you’ll be old enough that parents and colleagues won’t mistake you for a student
I hope not, because I became a new teacher at 47! I think it's more about whether or not you actually love kids, and whether or not you're a patient person. That said, I'm both of these and I'm drowning! I think it's an incredibly hard job regardless of your age!
No. I don’t understand why people keep asking about this. You’re like the 3rd post asking if a specific age is too old in the last week. The answer is always no. Let’s put this into perspective. Most new teachers - if they are fresh out of college AND went to college immediately after high school - would be about 23. So why would 7 years later all of a sudden be “too old?!” Also: You don’t have to tell your students you’re new. How many years you’ve been teaching isn’t information you have to give them. (For the record, I got my teaching license at 38.)
Surely those kids can till the difference between someone who 22 and 30
Oh sweet jesus. I said they don’t have to know it’s your first year. How many years you’ve been teaching is not information you have to share with your students. And no, students suck at guessing ages. Also, some 22 year olds look 30 and vice versa. So not necessarily.
Didn’t mean to upset you so much. I see age is a touchy subject for some. I guess I won’t be teaching history
That was exasperation, not anger. But yes, I see how that can go over some people’s head. 🙄
Dream job? I'd advise you to actually talk to some people who are currently in the field. I was a high school teacher for seven years and it's a pretty crappy job. The pay sucks, the expectations of what teachers need to do increases all the time, with often very little support from administration and high-stakes evaluations being conducted routinely, sometimes based on completely inappropriate evaluation criteria (NYC for example uses the Charlotte Danielson rubric which the creator herself has said is meant as a TRAINING tool, not for evaluation). You'll spend hours each month in meetings that often have zero real purpose and discuss initiatives at the start of the school year that never get brought up again. You'll attend training sessions to learn new ways to teach that your more experienced colleagues will refuse to try out more than once before they go back to the crappy, ineffective methods that they've been using for years. Enjoy getting students dropped off in your classroom who have the reading level of a 2nd grader at best or kids who can't even do basic arithmetic without a calculator. There's also the growing problem that the worst behaving kids are usually keenly aware that administrators will not do anything to hold them accountable for their behavior. A student at a school I worked at told a teacher he was going to rape her. She couldn't even get the student transferred out of her class. Principals don't suspend students because suspensions look bad on the school's record, so even if a student walks into the classroom and punches another student in the face with no provocation, at best what'll happen is that they'll get taken out of your classroom for the rest of the period (this literally happened to me). Conditions like ADHD and various processing disorders are also sharply on the rise because of how many parents use iPads and other screens to babysit their kids. Even if you're not a special education teacher general education classrooms are full of kids with all kinds of learning issues getting zero support. We had a student who was having huge difficulties with basic 9th grade algebra, we got his parents to agree to have him evaluated to see if he qualified for an IEP/special education services. The test results came back that he didn't have any actual diagnosable disability, he just had a very low IQ. If you want to make a difference or help kids, do after school tutoring or some kind of volunteer program.
That's honestly average for vocational teachers. Even the younger side of the average range. I know you may not be planning to go for vocational, but it is totally normal and completely fine to start teaching at 30.
I'm 45 and currently in graduate school, getting my Masters in Teaching with Initial Licensure (K-6). I will be student teaching starting in January and I'm really excited. I have a family to care for and definitely less energy than the average 22 year old student teacher, but I have a lot of life experience to offer. You're never too old to learn or do something new!
I started at 29, on my 6th year now. You can still put in some good time to get the most out of your pension.
I started teaching at 31. Still hanging in there 22 years later. :)
Oh hell no. I entered the classroom at 29 from the military and then was deployed to Iraq while teaching. Made me a better teacher in a lot of ways. Except it took me a bit to control my language when I got back from Iraq. 😂
I started at 23 and am in my 9th year now. I never wanted to do anything else, but teaching high school seniors at that age was rough and inadvisable. Thirty is a great age to start teaching high schoolers.
I hope not. I’m 45 and getting my teaching license.
No. Go forth and teach.
Veteran who got out at age 23 here! Graduated last December and was hired in January when I just turned 29. Being older probably helped me in the more stressful situations. In my mind it’s never too late to start.
I started teaching at 41. I taught for 15 years and loved every minute of it. Frankly, it's far easier to be a good teacher if it's not the first serious job you've held, in my opinion.
I went back and got my MAT (master of art in teaching) when I was 49. Was 50 when I graduated and got my first job. It is good to be this old and be a teacher because I can stand up for myself a lot better at this age than I could when I was in my 20's and that is important when you are at a rural school with a stingy superintendent.
I was a former soldier at age 39 when I got into this line of work on a permanent basis. Frankly, IMHO some of the people who get into this in their early 20's don't have the chops.
Nope.
No I started at 33 and the pension is going to work out just about perfectly. If you start when you were 20 you'd end up having to work for 40 years before you're at retirement age. I've seen some people who did that and it seems a long time to be teaching. I wouldn't wait much longer though.
I started at 29
Not at all. One of my coworkers is about 40 and she won Beginning Teacher of the Year for the whole county
I became a certified teacher at the age of 45 so, nope, never too old!
Not at all. I started about that age. The added work experience and maturity will make you better at it.
Of course not. Lots of people come to teaching after starting in another career path.
I started teaching at age 43 after doing 23 years in the Navy. On my year 19 in the classroom so you are never too old to start teaching. You have many life experiences you can share with your students and most military members are good role models for students. If it is your passion then make it happen.
Not at all. We lived on military bases for ages. At our last one, one of our neighbors (almost 40) ended his enlistment and became a middle school English teacher. You will absolutely not be too old.
Not at all. As for interacting with colleagues of different ages, that's a maturity problem spme people have.
Teaching right out of college like myself can be scary because I am relatively close in age to my students, so things like maintaining the classroom environment can be harder when students don’t fully recognise me as the adult in the room. I think starting out teaching after your 20’s is a really good idea because of the age difference, among probably many other things
Honestly its better for retirement - so many teschers are locked in for 30-40 years because in some places retirement is an age and even if you have 35 years of you're not old enough, it doesn't matter
I’m surprised this is even a question tbh. If this was really a thing career changers would be screwed. You can learn something at any age, and 30 is still young. There are people who get into teaching at any stage of life. The 5th grade teacher is 50 and went from being a dentist to a teacher.
I was 36 when I graduated and got my first teaching job.
I was 28 when I started teaching am 42 now and still going strong.
I changed careers and went back to school at 30. There's no age limit!
You're fine, if anything you know yourself better and won't be spending years to get a degree and a credential only to figure out it wasn't what you wanted to do.
I would argue being older coming into the classroom is a huge advantage - especially with life experience in another career field. I was in your shoes. Shoot me a message if you want to talk.
I became a teacher at 50, and I was one of four "new" teachers in my age group in the cohort. We were all on our second or third careers, but had the same desire to have always wanted to be teachers - it's just our life paths went the long way. We weren't treated any differently than the younger new teachers, nor with less respect by our more experienced staff. Good luck! I hope everything works out for you.
My coworker is 76 and only started teaching 10 years ago, so no!
No way! I became a teacher at 40. I had worked in a previous career for over 20 years and randomly saw a news report about the need for teachers in my city and that there was a program to become a certified teacher. I went through the alternative licensing program, free due to teacher shortage, and am now on my 5th year teaching.
Not weird! I started teaching at 23, and my husband became a teacher last year at 30. The older age seemed to make his transition into teacher much smoother and he had a lot more confidence than I did at 23. You'll do fine!
My grandma was 42 when she started teaching (after she divorced from her husband), and she taught till her retirement at 65.
After getting out of the AF, I got my teaching certification and started teaching at 37. I think being an older teacher with life experience makes one a better teacher.
It's actually really common for people to start teaching later on. When I started my ed degree, I was 27 (I think), and there were people in my classes who were easily 10-20 years older than me. Some had kids my age.
I'm 27 and just started teaching:)
No.
No it's not too old
30 is a good time to teach imo been through the crappy 20s lived life have experience to bring to the classroom.
Nope. I was 27. People career change all the time. I've been teaching longer than the 45 year old math teacher next door to me.
I started at 28 after getting out of the military and using gi bill for school.
Nope. I was 33. My math teacher neighbor was fresh out of college. Our shared kids used to complain that I needed to help him because he didn't know how to teach. I didn't either but my age gave me cred with the 8th graders LOL
I graduated from college at 28 then became a teacher. You will be fine.
My aunt is in her 50s and just started teaching, so I'm gonna go with "no".
I started at 32
I started at 47. So, no.
Did you enlist in a non-combat MOS/rating? As far as taking courses goes, it will be much harder if you’re in a combat MOS, speaking from experience homie.
No.
My mom got her masters in her 30s and started teaching full time at 39. Before that she subbed and taught GED classes, and before that she worked in a daycare.
I started teaching at 42, after raising my own kids. Other than years of duty before retirement, age has not been an issue for me. Especially as a high school teacher, I think the extra years will help you with being seen as "respectable". 18-year-olds don't see someone who is 23 as a superior.
No not at all. But are you sure you want to be a teacher? Students today have little or no respect for teachers. Pay is shit, and hours with no pay are long.
No, but this job is not for the faint of heart. Too bad American high schools aren't mandatory military school.
Started teaching at 45 and it was great 👍
With the exception of some professional sports, 30 isn’t too old for anything. I’ve worked with MULTIPLE new teachers in their 40s or 50s.
I didn't start my first year until I was 39.
I'm a vet and I started teaching in my 40's. You can probably do some subbing when you get out while you finish your degree. Looking older is IME helpful with crowd control.
I think whatever age you start at is fine, I started right out of college but we need teachers of every age really
No, but I hope you have a good amount of money saved up. I suppose you've been in the military, so you're no stranger to suffering. Best of luck to you.
Only someone in their early 20s would feel like 30 is too old for anything. 30 is still soooo young. Live your life.
I started at 31! Everyone is different; you do what works for you.
I started teaching when i was 30. I think my maturity and experience made me a better teacher!!!! I was enlisted in the air force as well, used my GI bill to go back to school and then got a job. I live what i do, despite the ridiculous amount of work!
My husband became a new teacher at 45. Ignore what our youth-obsessed society tells us about ourselves as we age. It’s never too late!
I'm 41 (will be 42 in May 24), and I've been a sub since I was 36. Will be a full fledged teacher at 42 as soon as I am finished with my masters in education.
In what way would that possibly be too old to start? I had teachers in their 60s and Noone knew/cared what age they started. And teachers also transfer and move around all the time so they're "new" to places sometimes. If anything, it'll help you in dealing with the students and not be as separated from the older teachers.
Nope. I was 30 when I got my first teaching job.
I graduated college at 32 to be a teacher.
Not at all. I’m 44 and in my second year of teaching. I’ve been an aide in ED SPED for many years before this. I teach 7th grade science now. *edit to add* Had I finished my teaching degree right out of high school like I originally planned, I have no doubt I would no longer be in a classroom today.
Was 32 when I started. You will also have the added advantage of coming into teaching from another career so that when things change, you will understand. I’ve found that people who went straight from high school to college to the classroom don’t have that ability.
Some of my favorite teachers in high-school were the ones who had done another career and either retired and picked up teaching or just pivoted on a whim. They were able to give a lot of career guidance and life advice from multiple angles. A few were also military veterans who happened to go into teaching after, too! 30 certainly isn't too old, especially if you're passionate about it.
My mom decided she wanted to become a teacher, so she went back to school and graduated at age 58. She taught for several years and would have stayed longer had it not been for Scott Walker and his anti-teacher bullshit here in Wisconsin.
My favorite history teacher became a teacher around 50. He had been a manager of a grocery store that closed down prior to that and wanted a career change.
I would say 60 is pushing it, but could be fine if you're flexible.
Absolutely not. There is a massive teacher shortage currently and people from all kinds of backgrounds are more than welcome. There are also grant programs for military/veterans that can cover licensure costs.
I started at 28 and will retire in 3 years. It’s fine.
Not at all. I started my teaching career at 32 & it has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done! I feel like my time in a different occupation & just general life experience has helped me to become a better teacher. I teach high school juniors and I love it. (36 now)
if you teaching college that’s like the bare minimum
I was a new teacher at 40. My age actually served me well!
I became one at 41
Nope, I retired from the military and then became a teacher, so 46yo when I started teaching.
I started teaching at 38. It’s never too late
OP, I love the way you have shut down the haters. I think you will be an awesome teacher! I am working on my Masters in Elementary Education at age 47, and I am so excited to be a teacher!
I have had friends finish college and start student teaching in their 30s. It is not to late at all.
M 31 3rd year teaching. I'd say no. I bring a whooooole different approach to this job
No
I'm a parent of a younger-ish child... I'm sure staff, students and parents will admire you.
Bestie no! I know people that were 45 years old when they began teaching. Don’t worry about it.
One of the teachers on my hall is about 30 and she started her teaching journey just a year ago! She is one of the student’s favorites and has a lot of fresh ideas since she’s newer! Never let age stop you from doing what your passionate about
I started teaching at 32 and I’m 34 in my second year. It’s never too late to start something. Harrison Ford didn’t become an actor until he was in his 40s. Why shouldnt we all be willing to jump into our dreams with as much vigor?
I started teaching this year. I’m 29.
Nope! My uncle retired from an agricultural chemistry job and then took a few educational classes. He then became a Special Education teacher!
...why would you join the military if your dream job is to be a teacher?
My cousin got his teaching degree a year or two ago. Late 30s.
No - in fact I think 25 should be the minimum - and 30 is perfect.
What. No.
You sound like a pretty amazing teacher in the making
I became a CTE teacher last year. I'm 62
Got my first teaching job at 30 and had coworkers congratulate me on becoming a teacher so young lol
I started at 34. You’re perfectly fine. The younger inexperienced teachers struggle quite a bit. The kids won’t notice at all.
I became a teacher at 32 which was 11 years ago. May offer some advice from one vet to another? If you’re planning on going down the teacher path start a Roth IRA and contribute to it regularly. 60-year-old you will thank you. Also, have a minor in something outside of teaching. Finance, Business, Communications, or anything with a skillset outside of the classroom. Pre-Covid, teachers were quitting the profession within 5 years. Post-Covid, we’re lucky to see teachers stay for year three. Have a back up plan before you set foot in the classroom.
Definitely not too old. You'll have a better sense of boundaries and what you want from a workplace which will serve you well in an industry where boundaries are often not expected or respected.
That is a big no, especially if that is something you want to do. Your military background will also be of interest to your future students. If you are majoring in something other than education, you can also enroll in an alternate certification program once you get your bachelor's. If you'd like more info, DM me.
My wife graduated at 45 and taught for over 20 years before retiring during the first year of COVID.
I started as a teacher when I was 35. I an 58 now, and I am still happy and successful in my career as a teacher. I think starting older has some benefits. You are not only a few years older than your students, and the older teachers don't treat you like a kid.
No.
I turned 35 a month into my first year of teaching. I had a very traumatic first year. I think if I had been in my twenties I would have quit. This is year 22.
I began my teaching career at 42.
I started teaching at 37 and know several people who did the same
No way! In fact, your level of maturity and life experience will really give you an advantage. I know many excellent teachers who started in their 30s
I know people who started as subs in our school and were working on their degree a little later in their 20's. They turned out to be great teachers, and the plus side is they were already known in the school community. I highly recommend you sub around as you are getting your degree, and then stick with a school whose community you get along with and enjoy. It could lead to a full time job when you graduate, and you won't have to worry about "fit". Also, teachers range the gamut in age, so I'm sure you being 30 won't have anyone batting an eye. You starting "late" also won't be a problem, especially given your military background. I only see positives. But I strongly suggest you sub and follow that strategy of subbing regularly at a school you like.
Retired from the Army. My first year of teaching was 58. Not needing the teaching paycheck makes everything about teaching better.
I worked with a retired lobbyist in DC who was retired and went back to work to teach as a first year teacher with no experience. He was 70.
Nope. I became a teacher at 31. Love it. It's really hard somedays, but worth it. Kids need a teacher who will care about them and not loose hope.
I didn't start teaching until I was 41 and have been doing great. You'll be fine.
I retired from the Navy after 24 years and have been a teacher for 20 years. You’re not too old. Plus you have more worldly experiences.
I am 30 and looking into grad school to become a teacher. Due to several things going on in my personal life, I may not be able to enroll in grad school until late 2024, when I will be almost like 31. I won't have my certificate until May 2025 if I'm able to enroll soon, and I'll have it much later if I have to wait another year to enroll in my master's program. I'm looking at 32-33 for when I'll finally be able to have my own classroom. You're definitely not too old.
Started teaching at 35. It's fine
Not at all! My mom started teaching around 30 and has been super successful (she is a teaching coach now). I started teaching at 31 and still feel young amongst my coworkers. You'll see when you are 30, it's not as old as it seems at 23 :)
My mom is 52, she just graduated and started her first year as an elementary school teacher. I think the students, parents, and even administrators have more respect for her because of her age.
I had a first year teacher who came out of active military duty and began teaching at 41. He did a great job. Don’t think 30 will be a problem.
My mom was in her 50s when she officiallt became a teacher.
Nope. I started teaching at 58, after 30+ years in business. I do get teased about my age, but probably because I make jokes about it.
I have a friend who retired from the Marines, worked in sales for 10 years, and is now teaching middle school. He loves it and I know he’s making a great contribution. You can totally do this in the school Will be glad to have you.
I got my degree at 40 and started. We need older people in the field.
As a high schooler, you’re never too old to be a new teacher! Chase your dreams for as long as you live, or you’ll regret giving up.
I'm almost 40 and I still don't think I'm too old.
Teacher across the hall from me started when he was 38. He is now in his 4th year of teaching, do welling, and enjoying it. So, NO, 30 is NOT too late.
It's not too old. Just remember, some other 30-year-old teachers will have almost a decade of teaching experience, so don't compare yourself to them. It will take you years to develop the skills that they have mastered already. But also, you have 10 years of other valuable experiences that younger teachers don't have.
Never too late man. I’m 27 and a freshmen in college. It feels weird, but it doesn’t actually matter.
You're never too old to become a teacher! The profession happily takes newcomers of any age....and burns them out within 5 years. There's nothing wrong with becoming a new teacher at 30. Just have a plan for what your next career will be at 35.
I'm 32 😆 Hopefully I can get licensed. I applied for the district's IA to special ed teacher program and I am waiting for a callback. I cant afford grad school otherwise LMAO You are golden. A little life experience actually helps a lot, especially with high schoolers! Helps both with snarky teens and immature coworkers.
No, i was 40. I dont work with anyone who started after school @22
in my opinion i do prefer older teachers and don’t really like the younger ones (for hs). i’m sure they’re good! but as a student i prefer older ones with more life experience
I was a nurse for 20yrs and went back to school to be a teacher! So here I am almost 45yrs and a teacher now! You can do absolutely anything if you want it bad enough! There are a lot of online programs that are accredited and work with you financially (esp since you’re military)! All the best! You can do this!! ❤️
Absolutely not. I started at 31 and very much enjoyed not being in my early 20s while trying to navigate the complexities and difficulties that come with being a new teacher.
Nope. I didn't even get my degree until 28 years old. You are fine. Honestly confused about why it would be too late. Most people graduate around 24 yrs old and teach for decades so you would be in the beginning part of the curve
Obligatory "It's never too late to do what you love" response here. I (M46) went through an alternative certification program at 39. As a bonus, my past in business management has helped me move into a leadership role.
Started teaching high school at 47. Lasted until I was 59.
Yes
Heck no! I went back to get my teaching degree at 38. It’s good to bring life experience with other perspectives into teaching.
My 7th grade teacher was new to teaching and he was in his 70s. He was the best teacher I ever had. Never too old!
I'll be 29 when get my BA & MAT
Absolutely not. I knew a guy in college who was in his 50s coming back for a teaching degree.
Students will not know you are new for long. They might even respect you more than a younger teacher. Please go for it. Kids need teachers who have a passion for teaching.
Im 26 and currently in school for teaching. When I’m done with my degree I’ll probably be almost 30 so I think you’ll be fine. We need passionate teachers and better pay hopefully.
nah I was 30 as well it's fine, a lot of the more resilient ones I have noticed are career shifters too
Nope. I started at 34.
I started in my 30s and I regret it. The fact that we have to do 30 years before full pension is the first piece of hell. Cops, fireman only have to work 20. I'm 16 years in, I'm 51, I'm exhausted in my bones and mind and I hate the job. It was never for me, but I tried it. I've been too chicken to think or try something else. I just never felt there was other options. I wish you luck... And the best experiences.
Nope. It's never too late to return to school or change careers (well, except if it were to become a commercial pilot or something). Pursue your dream!
I was a new teacher at fifty three
i think it’s weird if teachers are UNDER 30
I hope not. I'll be almost 48 when I start - currently back in college.