Why do school districts hire young teachers? Shouldn't there be an age limit, such as 30 or older?

Question

I think there should be. You don't get a quality education from a 20 something year old teacher.

I had young teachers before but not learned **** from them. they sucked.

Answer 1

1) You would never get a quality teacher over 30 if you didn't let them hone their craft before that age. One does not suddenly become a master teacher on their birthday.

2) 5 years experience is typically considered one of the minimum requisites for master teacher status, but given that amount, it is entirely likely that a school would have master teachers of 28 years of age. Even so, I was nominated for that status (I guess the powers that be were hoping that it experience could be overlooked given their satisfaction with my performance) with only 2 years experience at the age of 24. Clearly someone thinks that I was giving quality education, and I know I'm not the only 20-something capable of this

3) Young teachers come pre-programmed, you might say. Many of the teachers who've been out of college longer either have not been exposed to the latest research and techniques, or they stubbornly cling to their old ways regardless of efficacy. They would require more money to be spent on professional development, whereas young teachers mainly just need time in their own classroom to improve.

4) We're cheaper in most places. When pay scales are based on experience, we might get paid half as much as a 40-something teacher, thousands less than a 30-something teacher.

Answer 2

I resent that. My brother is an excellent teacher and is 24 years old. And to be real honest, I had my fair share of older teachers during my school years who couldn't teach if their life depended on it. And how exactly do you think we get our older teachers anyway? The ones who are older, good teachers, were once young also. They had to start somewhere and I can gaurantee that they didn't just up and start when they turned 30. They go to college for a reason so that when they graduate, they can BECOME A TEACHER.... otherwise there would be no point in going to college for that. Of course they're going to have to learn to get the hang of it the first year. That's just a part of becoming a good teacher. Lighten up a little bit. Everybody can't be perfect like you THINK you are.

Answer 3

It's hard enough to find quality people in any profession without
bringing age discrimination into it. What makes you think a 30+
teacher has more to offer students than a teacher who's 20 something? It depends on the teacher's character,not age,if you're
looking for quality education.

Answer 4

There are a few school districts that have started to hire younger teachers, but the reason for this is more to help the children. Many of the older teachers are not able to relate to the children. As well as there are a lot of new teaching technics and computer programs that teachers are using these days, and it is hard and more expensive to train older teachers, then it is to hire younger ones that already have the training. Also there are a lot of new requirements for teaching that a lot of Older teachers are not willing to go through training again.

Answer 5

That's debatable. And it would fall under age discrimination. A student goes to college and then gets a masters degree in education and finishes at the age of 24. This person can't work until they are 30? No, I think the schools need to do a better job of eliminating candidates. But the problem is that schools need teachers bad. By implementing your idea, it would make things worst for the schools.

Answer 6

I disagree - I've learned many valuable lessons from younger teachers, and the younger teachers seem to be more open to seeing other sides of the stories. As an aside: what are people who go to college to become educators supposed to do after they graduate? Wait 8 years until they're 30 to get a job?

Answer 7

What is the 20 year old, that has gone to collage to be a teacher, supposed to do after graduating, for 10 years? Seems to me you would not have any new teachers at all. They have to start somewhere. It is best if they have close supervision the first year or so while they gain in experience.

Besides, young boys realllllllly like the young teachers! lol : )

Answer 8

If the teacher had to wait 10 years after graduating before they could teach, don't you think they would find another job and stay there?

Or the would have to live on the street waiting for their time to come. Then after living on the street, do you want a "homeless" person teaching in your schools?

Also, younger teachers, right out of college, are cheaper.

Answer 9

I completely disagree. Young teachers (like myself) have been well educated in traditional teaching practices as well as more progressive methods. We bring enthusiasm and passion that some (only some) older professionals have lost. However, biases such as yours kept me from finding a job for a year even though I was valedictorian of my class, had excellent references and a detailed portfolio. I did not even recieve one interview b/c I was so young.

Answer 10

In settler days, teachers were as young as 16. I agree that with age comes wisdom and being a parent definitely has it's benefits when it comes to directing many children at a time. However, younger teachers can do the job just as well in most cases.