Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice • Hacker News Board

Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#1

Post by pizzaknife » Sat, Dec 30, 2023, 11:54 PM UTC

I am interested in pursuing a BS in either CS or Mathematics. I have had(and still do have) a multi-decade career programming. I would like to retire and teach in a public school setting (8th thru 12th grade ideally). I am without a 4yr degree and in order to be elligable to teach in a state institutional capacity, i need said degree(i refuse to consider myself "self taught" at this point bc realistically i have only been as successful as i have bc others have invested their time and attention towards my growth. id like to return the favor as the saying goes).

THE QUESTION: given i am interested in teaching at the late-middleschool/highschool level, does pedigree of degree matter(lets assume my cv speaks for itself and the degree is a technicality/constraint)? If it does matter - please suggest a program or share your experiences. and yes im fairly set on teaching for 10yrs during said retirement from "industry". thanks in advance!

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#2

Post by zx8080 » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 12:19 AM UTC

Formal requirements for a public school teacher depend on a country. So it makes sense to add some relevant details.

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#3

Post by SOLAR_FIELDS » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 12:21 AM UTC

I cannot speak to either of these programs but other people on here talk about WGU for undergrad and OMSCS from GaTech for masters as rigorous programs that are quite good value for the money. Example discussion here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25471029

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#4

Post by HorizonXP » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 12:22 AM UTC

Maybe adding your location would help centre some of the discussion.

A few questions, feel free to leave them unanswered.

1. What leads you to believe you'd be a good teacher? 2. Why are you looking at the high school level? Not higher or lower? 3. Why focus on local school systems in-person vs. online? I'm not suggesting Udemy, but I'm thinking something more focused with kids looking for privatized learning.

I ask these questions as a dad to a 5 year old that I'm trying to teach programming to, eventually. Just looking to hear perspectives.

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#5

Post by zxexz » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 12:24 AM UTC

Assuming US, based on terminology used. Have you considered teaching at community college? Depending on the state, the degree requirement may be dropped altogether, and I'd argue you could "give back" just as much, if not more - a lot of CC students would definitely benefit from, and appreciate, learning from someone with a long tenure in industry. Especially someone successful who does not have a "traditional" education.

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#6

Post by iteria » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 12:26 AM UTC

So... I did a quick Google and a lot of online teaching positions for AP classes merely require a BS in something related. The BS is the continuing degree I see over and over again. That said, I bet if you could get a hold of a human in a smaller outreach type program, they'd hire you no problem. If you just want to teach with no regard to money, then something like the TEALS Program might appeal to you.

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#7

Post by globalnode » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 12:47 AM UTC

zx8080 wrote: post #2

Formal requirements for a public school teacher depend on a country. So it makes sense to add some relevant details.

in australia i believe its a bachelor of education minimum? with some specialisation in the area you want to teach. this alone puts me off entirely. which is probably why i would be a terrible teacher, so system working as it should? who knows.

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#8

Post by thiago_fm » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 12:51 AM UTC

I think you are underestimating the difficulties of teaching kids at that age, or pedagogy itself.

Better to study the 4 years to become a teacher online and see if it's something you would like to do.

I'm not a teacher anymore, but have been involved in it before and decided to not pursue the career.

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#9

Post by jonnybgood » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 12:57 AM UTC

SOLAR_FIELDS wrote: post #3

I cannot speak to either of these programs but other people on here talk about WGU for undergrad and OMSCS from GaTech for masters as rigorous programs that are quite good value for the money. Example discussion here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25471029

+1 for WGU. Their CS program just recently became ABET certified.

Re: Ask HN: Online BS – Grey Beard needs advice

#10

Post by eldavido » Sun, Dec 31, 2023, 1:02 AM UTC

Bit of unsolicited advice. It's very possible you've had a great career as a programmer. But for better or worse, high schools are academic environments where you can't write "elligable" and expect to be taken seriously.

If you aren't willing to correct this, this may not be the path for you.