Mid-life journey brings journalist to teaching

Michael Arrieta-Walden is a former managing editor for the Oregonian. Now, at the “ancient” age of 51, he will enter a Lewis & Clark classroom to learn the art of teaching. Arrieta-Walden is chronicling his mid-life carreer change on his blog for the Oregonian, called New Teacher. He writes, “My hope for this blog is that we can explore what’s involved in becoming a teacher and what switching careers at midlife entails.”

At first, he says, he regretted his decision to leave journalism—“I […] thought that I had ruined my professional life…. But then I met the students of Rigler School.” He goes on, “I will always miss journalism, but the kids at Rigler helped me see what rich opportunities await.”

You can follow Arrieta-Walden’s journey at http://blog.oregonlive.com/new-teacher.