Teaching + SDE in big tech
I love teaching, but I also love working as a developer. I'd like to spend a couple of hours a week being a CompSci Teacher/TA in a high school or university. Anyone here doing something similar? Any tips for how to break into teaching from working as an SDE? I've tried volunteering a couple of times, but didn't quite get what I'm looking for. And probably long term I would love to be a formal university professor + FAANG engineer.
Are you far from South Seattle? I’m sure a few high schools would be open to the idea. Bellevue College also likes adjuncts in the field.
How do you tackle it? Just search around for open positions and apply?
Doesn’t Microsoft run a HS teacher program that fits your description?
Check out TEALS
I tried a couple of times, registered and asked around but never quite got on track.
Start at a community college. The bar to enter is low. You may be able to get in as a lecturer at a 4 year place and teach nights. I did that very successfully (easier because I had a PhD though)
How many hours a week did you need to invest on it?
Depended on the class. 3 hours twice a week for the class itself (commute a different talking after class). 4-10 hours a week in prep and grading maybe. Repeated classes were easier
I have done a few semesters of TEALS and I enjoyed it. Right now I am doing some courses for private schools. I am also thinking about starting some online tutoring as well. You can probably find a schedule with teals where you teach a class in the morning and then go to work the rest of the day. You can use the evening to review lesson plans and grade work.
I do but the situation was different. I was asked to fill in, they liked me and they kept me. It was a totally random thing. I have a PhD. Community college is probably the easiest to get into. For University you'd likely need a connection since you wouldn't be full time.
I’m curious from a MSFT FTE position, are we allowed to get paid for part-time community college gigs?
Pursue a PhD?
I'm not sure about PhD. I'm don't have that pure academic mindset that my friends who go into PhD have. I like industry and applying my knowledge to more than the search for knowledge itself