Teaching Physics

[tony1941]

I see from adverts that there is a shortage of physics teachers and that there seems to be a special "short course" deal available for suitable applicants. That's my problem; I have a degree (Physics & Maths) gained in the 60s, and have worked in engineering ever since, but now I'm fast aproaching 65 and don't want to stop working. Am I too old?? I'm sure I can communicate scientific ideas to people (young or old), but don't know what the official (or personal from teacher colleagues) attitude might be to someone of my age. Does anyone have experience or knowledge of this?

[scotstone]

I would think that at your age you wouldn't be able to secure a full-time teaching post but you might be able to secure part time work at an FE college. However you will probably end up teaching low level numeracy to students who are not very enthusiastic!

[noxlumos]

Give it a go, I don't personally know what the criteria is but it never hurts to enquire and the worst thing they can do is turn you down, although why if you are highly qualified I have no idea why. Ageism along with racism and sexism really gets my goat, which is probably why most of my workforce are either older, younger,non-white or women and they all do a stupendous job, only worried that I'm "under-representing" white middle class 30 something males.