Differences between teaching in a community college and a high school?

Question

For people who have taught at both locations, what are some of the differences and pros/cons about teaching at a community college and teaching at a high school?

I've taught English and Humanities at community colleges, and I currently teach elementary school music at a private school. But I've never taught English at the HS level and want to know its ups and downs.

Thanks!

Thanks for all the answers so far! I hope they keep coming!
For those who asked, there were ups and downs teaching at the CC, but overall I enjoyed it. Main problem is that I only landed adjunct (part time) positions, which offer terrible pay and no benefits (it's very difficult to get a full-time tenured position). Pretty much all of my students with part time jobs at the mall were making more money than I was. You can't live off the salary of adjuncting.

Answer 1

Good luck! College age kids want to be there for one reason or another but high school kid have to be there. There are many great students and I hope you get those but watch out for the hardended ones. It can be scarely. I was told to never walk inside of the high school alone at one time because the kids were jumping teachers and the principals! That was in a mid sized town and the only high school. Best wishes because the kids who want to learn will benfit from your experience.

Answer 2

I haven't taught at the community college level but I have worked with students at the master's level and I have taught high school English.

One of the limits of teaching at a community college, I would imagine, would be that your students come from a vast array of life experiences and skills; however, if done right, this is also the best thing.

I taught in a fairly homogenous population in a small town-- most of the students had gone to the same elementary schools and junior highs, so most of the students already knew each other. Unlike community college or post secondary education, where students have to pay for their education, they are required to be at the public high school, and have a wide array of motivation, but tend to have similar skill sets and life experiences. This isn't so great if you want your classroom to thrive around group discussions and you don't have any dissenting viewpoints on issues, but it is helpful if you want to have a well structured year, in which you know the skills your students need to learn for their next school year and for life outside of school. Sometimes my students were moody, sometimes they were completely disinterested, and sometimes, they judged me for not wearing the same clothing labels they were (think abercrombie vs. target), but they were often very perceptive, interested in current events, and willing to trust that everything I was having them do had a point and a purpose.

Answer 3

I currently teach at a public high school and used to be an administrator at a private junior college, similar to community college.

The biggest difference is that high school kids who aren't motivated are your job to teach anyway. You can't just shrug them off and let them fail (at least not if you're a good teacher). At any college, you can try as much as you're willing to, but iltimately the student is an adult going to make his own choices and his parents are not likely to step in and support you.

On the positive side of community college, many of those students are investing their own money in that education and that motivates many of them to succeed.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

Well i am only in middle school but i think that if you have taught college then you should not have a problem teaching high school because really everything is the same but the curriculum changes a little bit well not a little maybe a lot i mean i am sure when you apply and see the curriculum it should quite simple i mean just flow with follow the curriculum and help as many people as possible i hope i have answered your question

Answer 5

pass directly to the college. i think there's a distinction. I recommend whether it rather is in basic terms customary ed. the teachers (professors) i think of are greater appealing, possibly they are greater replace on cutting-edge analyze. possibly they are doing analyze you may desire to be drawn to. There are greater opportunities. if your getting into as a Psychology substantial. Your psyc professors (PSYC one hundred and one) may be in contact in analyze you could ask to take part in his or her lab. (want this in case you like to get into grad college) The college is greater sturdy however the point the scholars are academically are bigger than on the community college point. in basic terms being around clever human beings can push you. you may desire to finally end up spending greater beneficial than 4 years in case you pass. meaning particular you executed your GE's yet there are some greater decrease branch training that weren't presented on the CC. and you will't pass directly to the top branch training until eventually you're taking the decrease branch pre-substantial training. Plus, via the time you're a junior on the college you'll want college training (how they are based and the thank you to learn and each little thing) down. in case you have been shifting you will spend a semester in actuality like a freshman lower back. and don't pass to the community college in basic terms considering which you do unlike chemistry. You on no account know you may desire to like it? Plus it rather is in basic terms one class. there is not any longer something incorrect with shifting. it rather is in basic terms that in case you could pass as we communicate via why no longer?

Answer 6

teaching in a community college is better because the people there actually want to learn because its optional.. high school isnt optional and some kids dont want to learn so they just slack off... take my advice and stick with community colleges.. you do like it there.. dont you??

Answer 7

It depends on the high school

Answer 8

My son says, the only difference is that cc has ash trays!