Three arrive at their second acts via different routes

Some think that changing careers takes deep pockets, but people who have successfully retooled say it's more about having a steely gut, thick skin and, above all, heart.

[chicago1]

Now thats a coupe of nice stories. The papers should concentrate more on stuff like this. I know there will be a few people that say it`s a little Ticky Tacky but....Nowadays, I think people would like to read about good and not bad. Who knows, It may also help a few lost people find their way home again.

[Dr Cho]

I hope Dr Kang’s mother gets over her embarrassment. For crying out loud, your son earned a PhD and is following his dream.

[seenitallnotyet]

Whitney Young is a magnet school - certainly not where the "neediest" students in Chicago are. What a joke.

[commentary]

Whitney Young? Yeah, you get a real big pat on the back for that, Mr. PhD. Gimme a break. You won't be "making a difference" there because those kids are already getting the best education. Spare me the "I was inspired by Barack Obama" cheesefest. There are much needier schools who could benefit from your talents much more than Whitney Young. Your 'new path' is just as safe as your old one.

[Ryan]

Great story! After working for 15 years in the corporate world, I'm planning to enroll in a Master's of Education program soon, with the expectation of teaching in a few years. Trying to follow what I believe I was meant to do. This story inspired me even more!

[Drabnoc Vochnich]

Ryan wrote:

Great story! After working for 15 years in the corporate world, I'm planning to enroll in a Master's of Education program soon...

Ryan, your story is an inspiration, too. Go get 'em!

[Henry]

Great Read! We need a lot more of these stories for others who need inspiration to better their careers and lives.
We take for granted that we can 'retool' our lives and have the FREEDOM to do so here in America versus other countries and cultures where you have to more or less accept your lot in life.

[Jean SmilingCoyote]

Changing careers, my foot! I still haven't been allowed to start my first career! Never been allowed to do a job yet which requires a college degree, let alone my major. The Obama administration needs to take action to work for full employment of college grads, including self-actualization.

[george costanza]

That's it I am going to be a mime ventriloquist! Regardless of what my father says!

[etiquette b]

nice to see these stories. i see so many people in this recession who won't try something different or take a lower-paying or temp job. they whine, "but I have an mba...."

[Bill]

RE: Kang-If you think you're doing stand up comedy all day in a low income school you haven't been teaching long enough! It will be interesting to see if this guy is still around in 5 years. Statistics show he won't be!

[I know Ed Kang]

seenitallnotyet wrote:

Whitney Young is a magnet school - certainly not where the "neediest" students in Chicago are. What a joke.

I'm not sure why the article isn't clearer on this, but he's moving to Whitney Young after several years at a low-performing neighborhood high school with tons of kids who are below reading level, qualify for free or reduced lunch, etc.

[I know Ed Kang]

commentary wrote:

Whitney Young? Yeah, you get a real big pat on the back for that, Mr. PhD. Gimme a break. You won't be "making a difference" there because those kids are already getting the best education. Spare me the "I was inspired by Barack Obama" cheesefest. There are much needier schools who could benefit from your talents much more than Whitney Young. Your 'new path' is just as safe as your old one.

I'm not sure why the article isn't clearer on this, but he's moving to Whitney Young after several years at a low-performing neighborhood high school with tons of kids who are below reading level, qualify for free or reduced lunch, etc.

[george costanza]

Ahhh, again a teacher heard from! cry me a river.

[BAW]

george costanza wrote:

Ahhh, again a teacher heard from! cry me a river.

You try being a teacher for a week. I bet you wouldn't last a day; the kids would chew you up and spit you out.

[Hrmm]

Bill wrote:

RE: Kang-If you think you're doing stand up comedy all day in a low income school you haven't been teaching long enough! It will be interesting to see if this guy is still around in 5 years. Statistics show he won't be!

Bill. Do yourself a favor and research Whitney Young Chicago. Statistics show that if you do you won't sound like a fool when posting comments.

[toefl]

Jean SmilingCoyote wrote:

Changing careers, my foot! I still haven't been allowed to start my first career! Never been allowed to do a job yet which requires a college degree, let alone my major. The Obama administration needs to take action to work for full employment of college grads, including self-actualization.

You have to be joking, right? I find it hard to believe that employers would not flock to employ someone with your positive take-charge attitude.

The last part of your post is sweet as well. The government should take action to ensure full employment of college grads ... and their self-actualization?? So now the government is going to direct us on how to be self-actualized and authentic? I don't think even Obama wants to do that. Next thing you know you will want government to force us to be free!

[CPS Teacher]

It's disheartening to see all the negativity on these posts. I am a fellow teacher at the low-income school where Dr. Kang teaches, and we are faced with numerous challenges that people don't understand. On a nearly daily basis we are contending with verbal abuse, physical challenges, and lack of support just to try to teach the minority of students that are really there to get an education. The real story is that Chicago Public Schools is cutting many teacher positions due to budgetary restraints. Unfortunately, due to the Union Contract, teachers are being cut based on seniority. This means the younger teachers, with the enthusiasm and ideas to help these difficult groups, are being cut. Dr. Kang’s position was cut at the end of the year; he was forced to transfer schools. I also had my position cut and it is extremely difficult to find another position within Chicago Public Schools. Despite all of our intentions to help the “neediest students” it is increasingly harder to get hired into these spots; I too would love to get a job at a school like Whitney Young where I wouldn’t have to worry about having my position cut. Again, I think we need to question a system where people who do come to teach for the right reasons, and have PhDs and credentials to be successful, are being pushed out of the system.

[Student]

Go Kang

[Dr kang]

Why would the students make fun of a teacher as handsome as Dr.Kang? He's DAMN GORGEOUS