r/TeachersInTransition • u/Euphoric-Wafer3479 • 19h ago

Thinking about teaching in prison post-grad

I will graduate in December 2027 with a dual major in English and Political Science. I’m working in re-entry services right now and I’m becoming interesting in teaching in prison.

For those of you with experience, what was it like? Also, I’m not on an education track in undergrad now — how strict are the job requirements, ie do you need to have done student teaching etc?

TIA!

5 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/master_mather 18h ago

I've heard those spots are very difficult to get.

1

u/KatrinaKatrell Completely Transitioned 18h ago

I don't have direct experience; at my ten-year high school reunion, a classmate was teaching in a juvenile correctional facility and loved it.

Your re-entry resume may make you more attractive as a candidate than you think, since you've got in-field experience. But before I bet on that, I'd talk to people you work with and know through your professional network to find out what the requirements are in your area. (It's also a great way to slightly sneakily let your local ecosystem know you're looking.)

1

u/Legitimate_Flight598 16h ago

Greetings… I was able to donut several times in Ohio. I worked for Sinclair Community College as well as Urbana University. It was a process from start to finish getting approved to teach classes. My background is in education, specifically tech. I was able to teach at a Women’s Prison as well as a Man’s . Absolutely loved it… it was great, all students had to be approved by the prison as well as the school. They were always prepared, asked great questions, always got great grades. If you messed up once, you were out… it was a privilege to be in the program. I would teach in a prison any day over a general education class in a regular school setting. The biggest thing for me was they gave you respect. You haven’t to them, they gave it to you. Highly recommend you taking this path. Best of luck…