Education

The Road to Teaching

By Craig Stone — September 01, 2004 2 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Will you still need me when I’m 64?

When it comes to hiring teachers, Houston’s Clear Creek Independent School District’s answer to that question is yes.

Sexagenarian Pauline Trout has had local and state education reporters in Texas spilling ink over her unlikely story as the 64-year-old mother of four (and grandmother of five) began a new career this fall as a teacher.

With alternative-certification programs growing and some schools widening their net to attract nontraditional teacher candidates, Ms. Trout’s story exemplifies changing perceptions on who new teachers can be.

After substituting in the district since 2000, Trout was hired by Armand Bayou Elementary school as a 5th grade reading and social studies teacher. “When I started substituting I said, ‘You know, I really want to be a school teacher. I really like this,’” Trout told the Houston Chronicle, in a recent article.

Ms. Trout’s road to teaching, like many others, has been an eclectic one. Before coming to teaching, the Chronicle notes, she had been a hairdresser, a school librarian, ran her own quilt making business, and taught painting. After getting a degree in social work in 2002, she assisted the elderly at a nursing home.

“I knew lots of things but I didn’t have that piece of paper,” she said in reference to a teaching license. To fill that gap, she enrolled in an alternative certification program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2003.

Harriet Sturgeon, director of the center for professional development of teachers at UHCL told the local Galveston Daily News that Trout “thinks like a young person. She’s so open to new ideas and wants to learn. I would like my own child in her class.”

In the same article, Trout told the Daily News, “I’ve always been teaching … I’ve always been showing somebody how to do something.”

According to the Chronicle, Trout got the job at Armand Bayou through a recommendation from her daughter-in-law, also a teacher.

Via e-mail, Bayou’s Principal Jane Kelling told CAREER COACH, “Ms. Trout has brought a maturity to the classroom that can’t be earned through college classes. Just as our experiences add the ‘color’ to our lives, Pauline’s life experiences enrich her teaching. In turn, her students benefit from her vast knowledge of the world and perhaps, along the way, they will also appreciate the mature wisdom she imparts.”

Though the road to teaching has been circuitous, Trout knew from her first day in the classroom that she was where she was supposed to be. “I knew this is what I want to do. I don’t care who’s here. I want to teach. That’s the way it is. If I can do anything to help these kids, I’ll do it,” she told the Chronicle.

“I feel very lucky the principal believed in me and hired me,” she added.

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Professional Development Webinar
Inside PLCs: Proven Strategies from K-12 Leaders
Join an expert panel to explore strategies for building collaborative PLCs, overcoming common challenges, and using data effectively.
Content provided by Otus
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Science Webinar
Making Science Stick: The Engaging Power of Hands-On Learning
How can you make science class the highlight of your students’ day while
achieving learning outcomes? Find out in this session.
Content provided by LEGO Education
Teaching Profession Key Insights to Elevate and Inspire Today’s Teachers
Join this free half day virtual event to energize your teaching and cultivate a positive learning experience for students.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz News Quiz: Feb. 6, 2025: Reading Scores | Curriculum | Trump 'Indoctrination' Order | and More
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Image of books on a shelf.
Illustration by Laura Baker/Education Week via Canva
Education Briefly Stated: February 5, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Quiz News Quiz: Jan. 30, 2025: Interim Ed. Dept. Leader | Navigating Immigration Policies | Teacher Evaluations | And More
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
President Donald Trump speaks in Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. His administration's order to pause potentially trillions of dollars in federal spending this week sent school districts scrambling to figure out which funds might be halted.
President Donald Trump speaks in Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. His administration's order to pause potentially trillions of dollars in federal spending this week sent school districts scrambling to figure out which funds might be halted.
Al Drago/AP
Education Briefly Stated: January 29, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read