If anyone out there is a public school teacher looking at a career change or someone considering hiring a teacher into a ‘non-teachery’ job, don’t underestimate the soft skills that these teachers bring to the table:
- tenacity to both smile at and set firm boundaries with a wide cast of characters – especially the ornery and the entitled
- the ability to direct multiple personalities – all creative, brilliant, and sneaky in their own ways – in a single direction
- compassion to understand that everyone has their own story that you may or may not know
- experience making quick decisions and multi-tasking while keeping chaos (mostly) subdued
- creativity to develop useful resources and meaningful experiences in under-resourced and multifaceted environments
- resilience in less than ideal situations like eating lunch in 10 minutes, teaching from a cart in multiple classrooms, purchasing supplies with personal funds, fixing rickety copy machines, and lacking frequent access to the restroom
- wisdom to moderate childish quarrels, soothe adolescent angst, critique political folly, apply administrative directives, and navigate parental helicoptering
- the ability to explain any concept to any person at any level, and to repeat themselves patiently when that person isn’t listening or doesn’t understand
between worlds 
Thanks for this. I find it annoying that most people who get majors in other areas can end up teaching by just taking a few tests. However, teacher have to go back to school and get an entirely different degree. If you know any jobs that I could apply for that would be great. Jobs that most likely won’t make you go back to college right away or maybe just get your masters in something else . i don’t want to redo my whole undergrad. Maybe a job that would require some traveling. Or i am really open to any ideas. I just don’t want a minimum wage job.
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