Is it common for teachers to transition from teaching high school to teaching at a university?

Question

What are the drawbacks and benefits?

Answer 1

I am currently a PhD candidate at a University. A good percentage of our Masters students are currently teachers working towards something better.

Because I've never taught at the high-school level, it's difficult for me to talk about benefits. I did substitute teach, though, and I think I can give you the following benefits of teaching at college:

1) You only teach a few days a week - there's no babysitting. If you finish class early one time, you can just send them out.

2) Discipline is not a problem. If a child is acting out, you ask them to kindly leave your classroom.

3) You don't have to deal with parents. They occasionally call, but you can't tell them anything. You *do* however have to deal with crazy students.

Is a 18 year old freshman that different from an 18 year old high school senior? Nope, they're both very immature. BUT how you're allowed to deal with him is different and, to me, that's worth it.

Answer 2

It is quite common. I believe the biggest benefit is that it gets you out of the "ivory tower" for a while to get some perspective on the "real world." Be careful, though. If you stay at the high school level too long, you won't be able to take the pay cut to start over at the university level.