I used to teach at a university. Now I teach at an urban high school. It is a completely different job.

A lot depends on where you taught and where you will teach. If you teach in a highly-ranked high school where your students are wealthy, it might be more similar to teaching college. I don't know because I haven't taught in a school like that.

But on a daily basis, I get cussed at, yelled at, and I break up fights. I spend 60 minutes delivering what would be about 5 minutes of instruction at university. I get people I've never met stepping in my classroom to "observe." I have to push inconsistant "innovative" practices that at times feel like urban kids are getting screwing into being the guinea pigs for somebody's master's thesis. At other times it feels like the practices are great and going to work. I've had a student pee in my classroom sink, I've been dragged to the floor during a fight, and I'm one of the few teachers in the school who hasn't had her cell phone stolen.

The worst thing my university students did was look at their cell phones or whisper in the back of the room. I never saw my boss, who had complete faith in my ability to teach the material and do what I was hired to do.

That isn't to say I don't like what I do. I love my students, I really feel like I'm doing something worthwhile. But it's hard, and it's stressful. But you are not necessarily moving into a similar job, and you need to be prepared to set up a very structured classroom. Your experience may be completely different; some private or charter schools just kick out any kids who are difficult to educate. You need a plan for how to deal with disruptive students. They don't just disappear a few classes in and default to F. And if they DO disappear, it's your job to get them back. Call, make a home visit, etc.

Good luck.