please offer some advice

I posted this on the teachers board as well but figured everyone can offer some advice....I am sitting here hysterical as i read all the posts about teachers returning to school. Heres my thing...i was going for elementary education but decided this semester to go to a different school to try another major because of all the things i have heard about how hard it is to get a job. I really wanted to be a teacher but my new profession i am persuing pays better which is why i was leaning towards it espically since we have a baby on the way. I get teacher supply books in the mail everyday and i break down everyday can someone please give me some advice! I am so torn on what to do

Re: please offer some advice

I would follow your heart. If you know that deep down (or not so deep down as it seems) that you really want to teach, then I think that's your answer. I'm a stong believer that things work out in the end. The money just isn't worth it if you'd be sacrificing your happiness or dreams.

My mother worked in elementary education and absolutely loved it. She took some time off after my sisters and I were born, but she went back to it b/c it was right for her. She no longer does it, but she really enjoyed the years when she did teach.

Re: please offer some advice

First of all,

My first thought is to ask you what is the new profession that you are going to school for? Here's why I ask:

I went to school for elementary ed and got my degree, taught for a year, hated it and had to change careers. I am currently a corporate trainer (which makes me feel somewhat better because I am still kinda teaching) and I didn't need a special degree for that.

Is there any possibility that you could go for the education degree and still look into the other profession? (if that makes sense?)

Re: please offer some advice

I don't have much advice.....BUT, I feel your pain...only I finished my masters and now I have no job. I was in a dead end position so went back for education. I could not land a teaching job in NC (a lot having to do with me not living there yet). However even next year the salary (down there) is not great and I wonder if I should change careers again. So then I'll have a monthly loan payment and I am back where I started.

My husband tries to always remind me how unhappy I was and to pursuit what I have a passion for.

The reality is that it is hard here in NY for teaching jobs. I got so many job turn downs, often without an interview. I don't know if at this point in my life I have the patients to sub for a few years and maybe finally land a position. I'd be almost 40 by the time I am tenured.

Re: please offer some advice

my only piece of advice is to do something you really love.

While the $$ may be better with another job, your personal happiness should be worth more than that.

Although, if your finances cannot be met from teaching, I would either find a middle ground or consider a second part-time job.

Do what you love and what makes you happy. Trust me, I am in a position where I regret not taking another path.....it sux.

Re: please offer some advice

Thank you ladies for all of your advice...i really feel alot better now after reading that. Tonight when my DH gets home i am going to talk to him about all this...he always says i have to do what makes me happy and we can survive on teachers salary but i grew up in a single parent household so money was always tight and thats my fear...but i defintaly think i am going to pursue teaching and who knows i can do my other "profession" pt

Re: please offer some advice

on LI you can definitely survive on a teachers salary!

Talk to your DH and work out what going back to school will take. (be prepared at the end to student teach full time for the entire semester and not get paid for it). Always look at the end result. If it's worth it, you will find a way to make it work!

Re: please offer some advice

Follow your heart. Teaching is not about the money but the love of teaching. If you really want to do it, can you get another teaching license more towards the profession that you are looking at now?

Re: please offer some advice

If you love teaching, I would go for it. Plus, you will have weekends, holidays and summer off with your DC.

Re: please offer some advice

I say to follow your heart also, as long as you can both swing it financially. You might be able to do other things during the summer if you need $$$, but I've heard teachers on LI make decent money. Teachers in NYC make less, and the conditions are difficult, but there are always jobs there.

I know NYC has a program for people who want to be teachers, where you teach while you are going to school. I think you are supposed to work with them a certain amount of time after graduating, but I don't know that people really stick to that. I forgot the name of the program, but you could look on their website nycschools.gov.

You may not want to teach there, but it's a good way to test the waters and get your degree at the same time. Also, it's possible LI has similar programs, I just haven't heard of them.

Re: please offer some advice

If you think you will love teaching, do something in the field until a job opens up. If you think teaching is just okay, find another career.

Re: please offer some advice

Whats the other profession?