From Truck Driver to Teacher: Zak’s Story

For Zak Raj, going from truck driver to teacher started with an honest conversation. His job wasn’t fulfilling, and a friend suggested a career he hadn’t considered: education.

Today, Zak teaches fourth-grade math at Missouri Ridge Elementary in North Dakota. He also coaches varsity football and track. His favorite part? Helping students discover that they can succeed at something they once dreaded.

“I love my job. There is nothing better than watching a kid who thinks they are bad at math finally have their ah-hah moment because of the work you do with them.”

Why Zak Decided to Become a Teacher

Before working in education, Zak’s career looked very different.

“I was a truck driver in the oil field before teaching, and before that I was a manager at a deli.”

The decision to become a teacher didn’t begin with a long-standing plan. It began with dissatisfaction and a friend who offered another possibility.

“My career at the time was unfulfilling. Through pure coincidence, I was talking to a friend from back home about my dissatisfaction with my current job, and he suggested education. I looked into my area’s job openings that night and decided to give it a go.”

That conversation led Zak to explore how he could put his existing degree to work in a new career.

From Truck Driver to Teacher Through Online Teacher Certification

Zak had a college degree, but it wasn’t in education. He researched alternative teacher certification programs to find a pathway that fit his circumstances.

“I learned about American Board by researching alternative certification programs as my degree was not in education. I selected it because it was self-paced and didn’t break the bank.” Five years into his education career, he still draws on lessons from American Board’s online teacher certification program.

For Zak, flexibility and affordability were deciding factors. He could prepare at his own pace while gaining classroom experience as a substitute teacher. For other career changers researching how to become a teacher in North Dakota, his experience offers a personal look at that transition.

Connecting Teacher Certification Coursework With Classroom Experience

Substitute teaching gave Zak a way to connect his studies with situations unfolding around him. “While I was completing the program, I was also substitute teaching. I really liked when the lessons from the program’s courses aligned with what I was seeing in the classroom.”

Those connections have lasted well beyond his certification preparation. “Even now as I look back at the courses after five years in education, I still use the lessons from those courses in my day-to-day.”

For Zak, the coursework became something he could return to as his classroom experience grew.

Zak’s Study Advice: Reflect on Classroom Management

Asked what he would tell current American Board candidates, Zak emphasizes reflection. He encourages candidates to think about how they would respond to real classroom situations.

“My advice for current candidates would be to be self-reflective as you complete your coursework, especially with regard to classroom management. Ask yourself how you would handle situations in the classroom based on the taught best-practices.”

His own study routine used printed materials, handwritten notes, and a highlighter. “When I studied, I was a bit old-fashioned, and printed my materials. Then I used a highlighter and notebook to emphasize key points within the curriculum that I thought would be important to study later.”

Candidates looking for a study approach can borrow three ideas from Zak:

• identify key concepts,
• keep notes for later review,
• and consider how each lesson applies to working with students.

Helping Fourth Graders Build Confidence in Math

Today, Zak’s work centers on helping students understand math and believe in their ability to learn it.

“As our grade’s math teacher, I am lucky enough to get to experience this often.” The “ah-hah” moments he describes don’t end when students leave his classroom. At parent-teacher conferences, he heard how that confidence was carrying over at home.

“We recently had parent-teacher conferences, and it was amazing to hear the stories from parents about their kids coming home and being excited to practice their math skills when they previously dreaded anything to do with math.”

For a teacher who once felt unfulfilled at work, those conversations offer a clear picture of the difference he makes. “It is a great reminder that the work we do extends outside of the few hours a day we spend with a particular student, and that we can have a profound effect on the lives of these kids.”

Building Community Through Teaching and Coaching

Zak’s connections with students extend to athletics and school celebrations. Alongside teaching fourth-grade math, he coaches varsity football and track.

He also described hosting a homecoming pep rally that brought football players into the elementary school, as shown in the photo below. “We brought some of the guys on the football team to our elementary school to play games against our staff and to sign autographs for the students.”

It’s another part of the career he found after deciding to explore education: opportunities to bring students together across grade levels.

Start Your Teaching Story With American Board

Zak’s journey from truck driver to teacher began with a conversation and a willingness to explore something new. Today, he helps students turn math frustration into confidence.

If you want to become a teacher, your next step can be exploring a pathway that builds on the bachelor’s degree you already hold. American Board offers online teacher certification preparation for career changers, with licensing requirements that vary by state.

Visit AmericanBoard.org to explore the program, check your state’s requirements, and take the first step toward your own teaching story. North Dakota candidates can start with the North Dakota teacher certification guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Careers to Teaching

Can I go from truck driver to teacher without an education degree?

Yes. North Dakota recognizes American Board as an alternative licensure pathway for bachelor’s degree holders, including people whose degrees are outside education. Candidates must complete the program and state licensing requirements. Zak’s degree was not in education when he began his transition to teaching.

How does American Board’s teacher certification pathway work in North Dakota?

Candidates pass Professional Teaching Knowledge and required subject exams, then apply to the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board for an American Board License, including the required background check. After licensing, they complete supervised clinical experience, mentoring, and additional state requirements before applying for a regular license. See North Dakota’s official American Board requirements.

Can I substitute teach while studying for teacher certification?

Zak did, you can too, and American Board recommends it whenever possible. Zak completed American Board coursework while substitute teaching and found that classroom experience helped him connect theory with practice. Substitute teaching has its own eligibility and licensing requirements; check with your state and school district before applying.

Is elementary education available through American Board in North Dakota?

Yes. Elementary Education is among North Dakota’s approved American Board content areas. Candidates must meet the requirements for their intended license and teaching assignment. Review the North Dakota program information before selecting a certification area.