Behavior Modification

In a story entitled “Teaching as a rewarding second career” in the Waynseboro (VA, US) News Virginian, Bob Stuart describes the experience of Chris Eldredge, an electrical engineer who changed careers and became a middle school math teacher. Mr. Stuart reports that Mr. Eldredge came to appreciate the importance of learning classroom management skills.

He is an especially valuable career switcher, a teacher in what the Virginia Department of Education defines as one of the critical need areas for teachers: middle and high school math.
Eldredge always knew his subject, but initially struggled with what educators said is the toughest aspect for career switchers: classroom management.

“It was like getting punched in the stomach the first year,’’ he said of the struggles to get students to listen. “I was exhausted mentally, physically and spiritually the first year.”

Link to Mr. Stuart’s story. (I’m not sure how long the News Virginian will have it available and, yes, Waynesboro is very near me, about 25 minutes to the west.)