Hellobee Boards

I work in a high school as an administrative assistant/student support role. I don't teach but I do have a pretty full schedule of study halls that I proctor. Beyond that, I coached JVB volleyball and JV Basketball this year.

There is certainly a time commitment involved. Typically practices and games would be about 2-3 hours. But, I was not required to stay for the varsity games (which would go into the night significantly later) and much of the time I was able to drive myself as many of our students get picked up at the game. We didn't ALWAYS have to take the bus back to the school after the game. But I don't think we are the norm in that way.

Beyond that, it has literally been the greatest thing that I have done. Coaching is so wonderful and the bond that you gain with the student athletes is something really special. Being able to be in that mentor roll for these teens has been incredibly rewarding for me. Challenging at times(15 ninth and tenth grade girls with very differing personalities in close quarters for 10 weeks in the winter in New England....ha), but also wonderful. The girls all called me "Coach" in the hallway at school and being in the school helped to keep an eye on them from an academic and discipline stand point as needed.

I love coaching. Love it. I make very little money to do it but the other parts of it make it worth it to me.

@DillonLion: teaching 2 preps, doing all that grading and lesson planning, AND coaching 2 sports sounds absolutely brutal for a new teacher. I personally wouldn't do it, but that's my personality. Coaches work some looooong hours for relatively little pay.

You'll have days where you teach a full day, have a faculty meetings after school, go directly to practice or a game, and get home at 7 or 8 pm, and still have to grade papers for the next day.

@DillonLion: just curious - will they only hire you to teach the chemistry classes if you agree to also coach?

@BUNBUN: @DillonLion: Our Athletic Director handles all of the schedulling. I don't have to do any of that. He also handles the coordination of busses and refs/facilities. As for driving the bus, we have a 12 passenger van that I routinely drive the players in.

I think the biggest thing to remember that has got to be much less about the money than the meaning. Yes, for me (a single Mom who's father moved in to help watch her daughter), the extra few thousand dollars made a difference for me, even if I was away more. I knew my daughter was in good hands with Grampa. But, the time seemed hardly worth it when I really sat down and looked at it. But that mentor/coach role is something that I am truly passionate about. It makes all the difference. Otherwise, you will get burnt out and quickly.

@bpcmarj:

My DH is a high school teacher and coached girls hockey. It was the first year he did it and honestly it was totally fine. I think it would have been hard on us if he did two sports in the same season. He commutes an hour both ways and typically leaves at 7 and is home at 4. On coaching days depending on where the game was, he'd be home by 6. It was not a big deal for our family. I just feel so lucky that most days he is home by 4.

I didn't read all responses but that sounds crazy! I coached for the first 5 years of teaching. Game days are later than Norma and there are often practices/tournaments on weekends and holidays. I "retired" before having kids.

My husband is a 2nd year teacher (science, middle school level) and has coached 3 sports since the beginning. Yes, it can be time consuming especially during football season, but he reallllyyy loves it. It's usually 12 HR days until the 3rd sport is over with in May but it worth it to him and he's found his calling He does go up to school on Sunday mornings to lesson plan but that's mostly because he keeps getting stuck with crappy co-teachers who don't help much in that department so he ends up doing the planning on his own.

It is a lot to take on, but it can be done if it's something you enjoy and if you don't mind the time commitment. I do feel like the stipends don't always compensate accurately for the time spent but DH gets paid pretty well teacher-wise and it really helps that he is happy and loves his job and the people he works with. Good luck!

@DillonLion: congrats on the 2nd interview! I had just had a few thoughts/questions

1) the assistant position probably won't be that much of a time commitment as long as the head coach isn't a slacker. If you guys hit off it would be a great experience.
2) are the sports the same season or different?
3) are they sports that the school depends on to do well? If not then it could be a low pressure position.
3) as long you get mentally prepared and have a good way to keep yourself organized it sounds like a great opportunity to get your foot in the door.

My husband taught Chem and AP Chem and coached one sport in the spring. He is usually home by 7.

I used to coach diving only 3 days a week and I can't imagine doing it with a baby. I love being home I guess... as soon as the day is over I want to go home! I teach in a public school in New York which pays well but coaching pay is absolutely insulting. You must really love what you coach to stick with it.

@DillonLion: I think you made the right choice declining that particular offer. It's better to get a job just teaching and then take on additional duties later after you get your feet wet (and trust me, in teaching, there are TONS of extra duties you can take on if you are so inclined---all the clubs, groups, sports, committees).

Fingers crossed you get the next offer!

@DillonLion: Exciting! I hope you get a good offer and you can take some time to focus just on the new career and your family. You can always add on coaching later!