6 answers
Mya
Student
McAlester, Oklahoma
1
Question
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How can I become a teacher and doctor?
Is there a way I can become a teacher but also be a DO(Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)? I've always wanted to become a teacher who teaches special ed kids or music, but at the same time, I've also always wanted to be a helper of some sort. I figured a DO would be the best for me because I don't want just to show them how to use medicine I want to show them that they can do other things than just be on medication.
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6 answers
Karissa Helton
Medical School Admisions
64
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Karissa’s Answer
The answer is no. My husband is a MD and I was a high school teacher. You could be a DO enough years that you are a competent doctor. Then you could be a teacher at a DO school. Being a Special Ed teacher is out of the question. Work your career as a doctor and when you retire you can substitute teach a few days a week.
sheen k
3
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
sheen’s Answer
In this profession, you're perpetually imparting knowledge. Hospital-based resident doctors guide medical students, while senior residents mentor their junior counterparts. Fellow doctors share their wisdom with residents, and attending physicians enlighten everyone in their team. Therefore, in a teaching hospital, you'll be sharing your expertise, both voluntarily and involuntarily, throughout your entire career. It's a lifelong journey of teaching and learning.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1180
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mya !
Karissa Helton's advice is excellent and you should heed by her words because it's not really possible to be a teacher and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the same time. Her suggestion of being a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Professor is worth considering once you have substantial background and clinical practice in medicine.
I have had the great pleasure to work closely with an Osteopathic Medicine College. The project was in patient simulation, AKA Standardized Patient, in which I, as an actor, portrayed scripted roles of various patients. This was during the students' exams and finals. There is not too much difference between Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. The subtle difference is that D.O.'s receive full semester courses in Nutrition and also do OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment (think chiropractic), whereas M.D.s do not. But M.D.s and D.O.s are virtually the same and work side by side together. D.O.s do prescribe medication. Both Medical and Osteopathic Medicine schools are funded by the same sources and both follow the guidelines and regulations of the AMA, so there's virtually no difference. You can have a specialty as a D.O., too, even Psychiatry.
The professors I have worked with had a good many years behind their belt before teaching at the D.O. school. This is something you can consider down the line. It seemed to be very rewarding for the professors to give back to the new generation of doctors. I absolutely loved working with both the professors and the students.
If at some point you decide not to go into medicine, you have a few other options that you are interested in, so it is worth exploring this now. I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Karissa Helton's advice is excellent and you should heed by her words because it's not really possible to be a teacher and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the same time. Her suggestion of being a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Professor is worth considering once you have substantial background and clinical practice in medicine.
I have had the great pleasure to work closely with an Osteopathic Medicine College. The project was in patient simulation, AKA Standardized Patient, in which I, as an actor, portrayed scripted roles of various patients. This was during the students' exams and finals. There is not too much difference between Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. The subtle difference is that D.O.'s receive full semester courses in Nutrition and also do OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment (think chiropractic), whereas M.D.s do not. But M.D.s and D.O.s are virtually the same and work side by side together. D.O.s do prescribe medication. Both Medical and Osteopathic Medicine schools are funded by the same sources and both follow the guidelines and regulations of the AMA, so there's virtually no difference. You can have a specialty as a D.O., too, even Psychiatry.
The professors I have worked with had a good many years behind their belt before teaching at the D.O. school. This is something you can consider down the line. It seemed to be very rewarding for the professors to give back to the new generation of doctors. I absolutely loved working with both the professors and the students.
If at some point you decide not to go into medicine, you have a few other options that you are interested in, so it is worth exploring this now. I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
202
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
You sound like a caring person, Mya - I love that your motivation is to help people.
The route to becoming an osteopathic doctor is as long and challenging at the route to becoming a medical doctor (4 years undergrad, 4 years osteopathic school, 1 year internship, and 3-8 years of residency). See link below for more information. So I would suggest not taking that route unless you are math and science oriented and want that career.
It is much easier to become a teacher - see link below. As a special education teacher, for example, you would have many opportunities to help your students in profound ways. For example, you could help them with basic skills such as reading, help them discover their strengths, help them live with their differences, build their confidence and resilience and more. Potentially, you could teach them strategies to reduce their reliance on medication (of course, depends upon their condition and history). There are special education teachers can work clinics and hospitals if you want to focus on healthcare.
There are other helping professions, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, that have significant teaching aspects. For example, a physical therapist may need to teach a stroke patient to walk or talk again, and an occupational therapist may help a patient with fine motor skills after surgery. This is also a significant commitment since it could take 7 to 8 years to complete. You may also want to look into music therapy - see link below.
Good luck!
Learn about becoming an osteopathic doctor - https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/osteopathic-medicine
Learn about becoming a special education teacher - https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-special-education-teacher
Learn about becoming a music therapist - https://www.musictherapy.org/careers/employment/
The route to becoming an osteopathic doctor is as long and challenging at the route to becoming a medical doctor (4 years undergrad, 4 years osteopathic school, 1 year internship, and 3-8 years of residency). See link below for more information. So I would suggest not taking that route unless you are math and science oriented and want that career.
It is much easier to become a teacher - see link below. As a special education teacher, for example, you would have many opportunities to help your students in profound ways. For example, you could help them with basic skills such as reading, help them discover their strengths, help them live with their differences, build their confidence and resilience and more. Potentially, you could teach them strategies to reduce their reliance on medication (of course, depends upon their condition and history). There are special education teachers can work clinics and hospitals if you want to focus on healthcare.
There are other helping professions, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, that have significant teaching aspects. For example, a physical therapist may need to teach a stroke patient to walk or talk again, and an occupational therapist may help a patient with fine motor skills after surgery. This is also a significant commitment since it could take 7 to 8 years to complete. You may also want to look into music therapy - see link below.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
364
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hello Mya,
Yes, it's absolutely feasible to merge a teaching profession with being a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), although it demands meticulous planning and commitment due to the demanding educational journey in both sectors.
1. **Undergraduate Studies**: Kick off by obtaining a bachelor's degree that meets the prerequisites for medical school and simultaneously lays a robust groundwork in education. Think about majoring in a subject like special education or music while fulfilling pre-medical requirements.
2. **Medical School**: Upon finishing your undergraduate degree, proceed to medical school to secure your Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. This stage usually spans four years and encompasses coursework, clinical rotations, and hands-on training.
3. **Residency Training**: After medical school, undertake a residency program in a specialized area such as family medicine, pediatrics, or psychiatry. During this phase, you can concentrate on aspects pertinent to teaching and comprehensive patient care, like working with children with special needs or blending music therapy into patient care.
4. **Teacher Certification**: Concurrently with your medical training, work towards teacher certification or additional education-related coursework to become eligible to teach special education or music. Teacher certification requirements differ by state, so it's crucial to look into the specific prerequisites in the state where you intend to teach.
5. **Balancing Careers**: Once you've fulfilled both your medical training and teacher certification, you can look into ways to harmonize both careers. Think about teaching part-time while operating as a DO, or consider roles that enable you to incorporate teaching into your medical practice, like guiding medical students or educating patients.
6. **Continuing Education**: Keep up-to-date in both fields by seeking continuing education opportunities, attending conferences, and staying in touch with advancements in education and medicine.
Merging a teaching career with being a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine may be demanding but it's immensely gratifying, enabling you to positively influence lives through both education and healthcare.
Yes, it's absolutely feasible to merge a teaching profession with being a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), although it demands meticulous planning and commitment due to the demanding educational journey in both sectors.
1. **Undergraduate Studies**: Kick off by obtaining a bachelor's degree that meets the prerequisites for medical school and simultaneously lays a robust groundwork in education. Think about majoring in a subject like special education or music while fulfilling pre-medical requirements.
2. **Medical School**: Upon finishing your undergraduate degree, proceed to medical school to secure your Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. This stage usually spans four years and encompasses coursework, clinical rotations, and hands-on training.
3. **Residency Training**: After medical school, undertake a residency program in a specialized area such as family medicine, pediatrics, or psychiatry. During this phase, you can concentrate on aspects pertinent to teaching and comprehensive patient care, like working with children with special needs or blending music therapy into patient care.
4. **Teacher Certification**: Concurrently with your medical training, work towards teacher certification or additional education-related coursework to become eligible to teach special education or music. Teacher certification requirements differ by state, so it's crucial to look into the specific prerequisites in the state where you intend to teach.
5. **Balancing Careers**: Once you've fulfilled both your medical training and teacher certification, you can look into ways to harmonize both careers. Think about teaching part-time while operating as a DO, or consider roles that enable you to incorporate teaching into your medical practice, like guiding medical students or educating patients.
6. **Continuing Education**: Keep up-to-date in both fields by seeking continuing education opportunities, attending conferences, and staying in touch with advancements in education and medicine.
Merging a teaching career with being a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine may be demanding but it's immensely gratifying, enabling you to positively influence lives through both education and healthcare.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Mya
Nyair Washington
Case Manager and Therapist, previously a teacher
16
Answers
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Updated
Nyair’s Answer
Hello, Mya,
I see some great options here and wanted to add another alternative! As you do not want to teach the kids about medicine, it may be challenging to do both. Some alternative options (with you already being a DO in mind):
1. Volunteer or work part-time during the week at a local daycare center.
2. Become a substitute teacher so you can teach on your off days!
3. Become a summer camp counselor at a music or special education program.
4. Introduce your own weekend class for music or special education (this can even be virtual to fit your busy lifestyle as a doctor.)
5. Volunteer or work part-time (likely weekends) for a non-profit organization that has special programs for kids.
Realistically, this would be hard with a busy work schedule. However, it is possible!
There are also other career fields that can blend your two loves, including Music therapy (you can specialize in youth therapy), Pediatrician, Behavioral Health Specialist (psychoeducation), and Professor jobs.
I see some great options here and wanted to add another alternative! As you do not want to teach the kids about medicine, it may be challenging to do both. Some alternative options (with you already being a DO in mind):
1. Volunteer or work part-time during the week at a local daycare center.
2. Become a substitute teacher so you can teach on your off days!
3. Become a summer camp counselor at a music or special education program.
4. Introduce your own weekend class for music or special education (this can even be virtual to fit your busy lifestyle as a doctor.)
5. Volunteer or work part-time (likely weekends) for a non-profit organization that has special programs for kids.
Realistically, this would be hard with a busy work schedule. However, it is possible!
There are also other career fields that can blend your two loves, including Music therapy (you can specialize in youth therapy), Pediatrician, Behavioral Health Specialist (psychoeducation), and Professor jobs.
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Mya