Engineering Degree to Become STEM Teacher

I’d really like some opinions. I’m returning to school in my 40’s to study civil engineering. I’m worried about getting an engineering job at my age. I was thinking of using the CE degree to become a high school physics/engineering teacher. I’ve taught at the high school level for almost 12 years and think this would be a good career move. Is the market for STEM teachers good?

As a primary or secondary level teacher in this country, no matter what your background is, you will be fighting the uphill battle of being under appreciated and under paid until there’s a revolution. I appreciate your dedication to a very important, but thankless profession.

As a high school teacher, wouldn’t you have more familiarity with high school teacher credentialing requirements and the job market for high school teachers than most people here?

I’m in special education. It’s a separate world from general education.

http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/secondary-teaching.html may help you get started on California teaching credential requirements for high school teachers.

What you learn in an engineering degree is way overkill for teaching STEM subjects at the high school level. Instead of going for the full degree, if teaching STEM is your goal, take some STEM classes and don’t go all the way for the degree. Freshman level math, physics, chemistry and biology are probably all you would need.

Agree with HPuck35 110%. There is simply no need. You have a special ed teaching license, I assume. Find out the state requirements for an additional license in chem and/or physics.