Abstract:

Individuals entering the teaching profession from other fields have much to offer in terms of practical experience in fields such as business, private industry, law enforcement, and the military. The authors examine the phenomenon of second-career teachers with specific emphasis on the motivating factors, common experiences, and reflections concerning the decision to leave already established professions in order to pursue a career in teaching. This particular issue of life vocation has particular interest for the Christian, who wishes to discern and follow the call of God in their personal and professional commitments. The article surveys research into second-career teachers and explores the process of professional preparation of these newfound entrants in the world of education as well as their assimilation to the culture of schools. Themes emerge from the literature for further consideration, which the authors argue, must more intentionally-inform career preparation programs, trends of new teacher recruitment, and teacher shortages in American school districts.

Publication:

"Non-Traditional Entrants to the Profession of Teaching: Motivations and Experiences of Second-Career Educators", Mark Lamport & Darrell Lee, Christian Perspectives in Education, Spring 2011, 1-40.

Faculty Spotlight:

Dr. Mark Lamport (BA, Huntington University; MA, Wheaton Graduate School; MDiv, Evangelical Theology Seminary; ThM, Princeton Theological Seminary; PhD, Michigan State University) teaches religion and philosophy courses in the College of Liberal Arts.

Since 1985, Dr. Lamport has taught at Gordon College/Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Massachusetts), Huntington University (Indiana), and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (Michigan). He is continues on the regular teaching faculty of Evangelische Theologische Faculteit (Belgium); Instituto Biblico Portuges (Portugal); and has taught at theological colleges in Australia; England; Kenya; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Sierra Leone; The Netherlands; and The Philippines. 

Lamport and his wife are on a four-year adventure in Europe (2008-2012).  They lived for the first year in the Black Forest region of Germany, serving as theological education consultants with Greater Europe Mission at their European headquarters.  They spent two years (2009-2011) as professors at Belfast Bible College (Dunmurry, Northern Ireland).  And are currently teaching at All Nations Christian College (London, England).

He is the father of four young adults; grandfather to five; author of over 125 academic articles, chapters, essays, and reviews in over thirty-five journals, books, and periodicals; enjoys Anthony Hopkins movies; buying clocks and oriental carpets; long-distance running; the Chicago Cubs baseball team; my wife's cooking; international travel (49 countries…so far); and the summer Olympics.