u/deadfeat_

Hello everyone! I (26m) am currently in the beginning stages of completing an ACP program to become a ELAR 7-12 teacher. As a bit of background, I come from a journalism/humanities academic background and have spent the past 4 years in corporate marketing. I have reached a point where I'm absolutely drained by this career path and feel no satisfaction/purpose/impact in the work I do. I have known I wanted to be a high school english teacher since even before college, but thought it would be something I'd transition to later in life. Well, I've now decided that it's something I'm going to pursue sooner in life, i.e. right now! Even just thinking about it has me super duper excited.

I am going through the Teachworthy certification program and taking my PACT 731 this Saturday, followed by meeting with a program advisor to figure out testing/training/SOE/interning etc. all that jazz. Since I've started this process in late summer, it'll just be a wait and see on when I actually start teaching. I live in Lewisville and would hope to work in or near Lewisville ISD. I already mentor a group of high school boys through my church and have done so for 2 years, and it would be a blessing to teach in their area.

I am posting this to hopefully receive some general advice on what I should be thinking of/mentally planning for regarding being a new teacher in Texas whenever I actually start teaching. My brain is of course already coming up with all sorts of fun classroom/lesson ideas, but I'm curious to know what it's like teaching in DFW from an administration relations/student body/teacher autonomy/anything else perspective. Any advice or things to consider would be greatly appreciated, even outside of my specific teaching area. As I work on studying and completing the steps necessary on my end, I'm curious on what to expect when I actually make it to the classroom.

Please wish me luck as this is a huge 180 for my life and I'm just as nervous as I am excited! This has always been a dream job of mine and I hope to join the ranks with you soon!