I am a teacher - Appalachian Trail

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#1

I am a teacher and looking at doing the AT, possibly in March 2008, because I’m looking at leaving my current school after this school year has been completed. I was wondering if anyone else has done this, and was wondering what they did for income and insurance from July to March. I was also wondering if they went back to teaching when they returned from the AT and if they had a hard time finding a job. I’m probably going to be cutting it close, or getting back after school starts and was thinking about subbing at schools that I’m interested in and getting a foot in the door. Any thoughts/ideas? Thanks a lot!!

P

#2

As a teacher I have thought about it and looked into it as well. It’s not an easy answer depending on the state you live in. Some states pay krap and it’s easy to find a new job, some states/areas pay well and it will be a royal pain to find a new job. If you teach in an area like math or science it should be fairly easy to find a new job when you get back. Social Studies or English…not so easy. Decide if you really need to thru right now. I know I wouldn’t want to go back to being a Sub, so I continue to work towards my pension and section hike in the summer…if you have no other responsibilities you can get out for two months every summer and during Spring Break at the very least. The question is what do “you” want. I hate cutting my hikes close and like time to acclimate back into the “real” world before going back to work. Ultimately this is your call, if you want to thru bad enough you’ll deal with the consequences when you get back, very few can have it all, but it’s a matter of what your priorities are right now, if you need a change of scenery and need time away from teaching then go for it. Regardless, good luck in your decision.

Almost There

#3

I was able to do a thru-hike and keep my job as a teacher. I job-shared with another teacher who wanted a half year maternity leave. I began the year, teaching Sept. through January, and she taught January through June. (We overlapped in January to transition the students.) I then started my AT hike in late Feb. and finished by mid July, leaving me plenty of time to get back into the swing of things.
I do strongly recommend that you hike March of 2008 if that’s what you want. The opportunities don’t present themselves too often. If I were you, I’d start networking other school systems you are interested in. Apply now. Tell them of your plans. Tell them you are looking for a job when you return. I’ve since gotten a job at another school district closer to home and found my interviewers really admired the fact that I planned ahead and fulfilled a dream.
I was on my husband’s insurance for my time away, but had the option of paying for my own at work. (It was too expensive an option.)
Good luck. I hope you do it!

Early Bird

#4

You could always hike south bound. Then you could look for a job in January. It really depends on which state you live in. What area do you teach?

Darth Packman

#5

I am a music teacher and I quit to thru hike last year. The hike was the best time of my life, I can’t wait to do it again. I missed the return date for my position and they had to hire someone else…is okay though, thinking that education has become too much an issue of customer service…doing different things now, adventures galore!!! Work only to live, not live to work. My advice…go for it, everything ends as it should.

Caboose

#6

I through hiked in 03. My school was good enough to give me a leave-of-absence without pay. It worked out fine for me. I was even able to keep health insurance although I had to pay for it.
finch

finch

#7

Much like Finch, I was able to get approved for leave without pay to complete my hike last year. It was awesome and the only negative thing is that I want to go back and do it again this year.
Go for it!
Mr.K

Mr. K