Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, October 09, 2009

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Greg Jackson, who majored in music, spent time with band students at Henry Clay High and Morton Middle School.

Most people wouldn’t buy shoes without trying them on, or purchase a car without taking it for a test drive. But when it comes to choosing a career path, there is rarely an opportunity to see how well it fits before making a decision.

That’s where Try Teaching comes in. The 4-year-old experiential program gives mid-career professionals a chance to see how they like being in the classroom.

Geared for people who have always had teaching in the back of their minds or are seeking a new career direction, the program is a collaboration between the Fayette County Public Schools and Eastern Kentucky University. Sponsored by Ashland Inc., Try Teaching pairs people from the business world with educators for one or two weeks.

FCPS hosted six of this fall's eight participants.

“It’s a neat opportunity to see if it’s something that would suit you,” said Paula Azzarito, who teaches at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and was a mentor teacher in the program. “They can see it is a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun. … Most people could decide within a day or two if this is their career path.”

Anna McGlone, who works in community building for the United Way, shadowed English teachers at a middle school and a high school.

“I was probably halfway through college when I thought maybe I should have gone with teaching instead of journalism,” said McGlone, a 2004 graduate of Asbury College who gravitated toward creative writing.

But she said doesn’t regret finishing her degree and working for a while.

“I’ve learned a lot in my career that will be helpful as a teacher, she said. Managing time, interacting with people and remaining flexible – “learning to plug in where you’re needed” – are strengths McGlone hopes to bring to the classroom.

Theresa Brown, who has worked at IBM for 29 years, got a glimpse into the daily routine of a math teacher. She said her experience mentoring new IBM employees and working with the Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement and church classes would come in handy in a school setting.

“When you’ve been out in the real world with the real numbers, you know why you need basic math,” added Brown, who has a bachelor’s degree in math and computer science.

FCPS teachers who served as mentors agreed Try Teaching is a worthwhile program for people who want to sample their profession. If someone really enjoys the experience, EKU’s Master of Arts in Teaching is one option as a next step.

“You have preconceived ideas of what it’s going to be like, but you get in there and it’s different,” said Edythe J. Hayes Middle School teacher Bonnie Michaels, who was also a host last year.

She noted that the business folks are generally more relaxed and self-assured than fresh teachers coming right out of college. “They’re more worldly, and they jump right in,” she said.

Greg Jackson, a 2005 graduate of Dunbar, might not have much real-world experience yet, but he was comfortable jumping in at Henry Clay High and Morton Middle schools. He organized music libraries, worked closely with fellow trombonists and led band warm-ups.

Jackson, who graduated from Indiana University last December with a bachelor of science in music and a minor in business, is working retail at a local shoe store. He has considered pursuing a career in performance or arts management or earning an MBA, but “none of those have really felt quite right.”

“When I was in classrooms (as a student), I wasn’t looking at teaching as a possible profession,” Jackson said. “To be able to go in and spend a couple of weeks and really try it out and really think about ‘Could I do this?’ has been really helpful.”