What would you do?

**Mom23boys** · 06-17-2010, 05:16 PM

I would like your opinion on a dilemma I am facing. To begin with, some of you know I have been going to school for the last 4-1/2 years to earn my bachelor's degree in hopes that I would soon teach elementary school. Well, I am one 3 credit class away from earning that degree. I will officially graduate in August.

I also have worked for an elementary school as an aide for the last 9-1/2 years. My dream was to actually earn my degree and get a job with the school district I currently work for which is the same district my children attend(ed). Well, that dream will not happen this year as there are no openings. We actually had teacher cuts.

Here is my dilemma - I live in a very rural town. There are no grocery stores, etc. in this town. It is actually a "blink and you missed it" type of town. If we want to go anywhere, we have to travel down the interstate to get there. The next town over is a bigger city and is where we usually do our shopping, etc. Anyways, I would apply at their school district, but they are not accepting anymore applications because they hold a job fair in April. In order to put in an application, you have to attend their job fair and do it. Well, I was not 'highly qualified' by Texas standards at the time. In Texas, you have to take a TEXES exam on the content you intend to teach and a PPR exam to show you are highly qualified. Anyway, my degree was not exactly in elementary education. I was going to do alternative certification, but now I am thinking of changing job fields all together. I earned a sociology degree. I do not want to go back to school as an aide for another year and pay back student loans on an aide's pay. I worked hard to earn my degree and want to use it. Would you go back to school as an aide or would you look elsewhere for another job in another field? I have a love-hate relationship with my job. I have seen the new aide schedule for next school year already and already hate the new year! I know I am not going to be happy returning as an aide, but then again I know I have a job to go back to every year....unless they make more cuts of course.

Right now I am so depressed over the situation that I told DH I may not ever go back to work. I know in my head I will, but my heart is not wanting to go back anywhere!

I know this is long, but I am just going through a state of depression right now over this. What would you do? Has anyone ever earned a degree and not used it?

**ladykemma2** · 06-17-2010, 05:32 PM

so your degree s in sociology and not in elementary ed?

**Dancing Lotus** · 06-17-2010, 05:41 PM

I'm confused

**ladykemma2** · 06-17-2010, 05:46 PM

what content were you intending to teach?

**frugalfranny** · 06-18-2010, 12:37 AM

I would FOR SURE finish the schooling. Even if you don't work in that field, the degree will help you in the future......both, to get jobs and to make more money because of it.

Do you think you would like to work/do something in the sociology field? Since teaching is out for right now......can you go the other direction?

**mauimagic** · 06-18-2010, 01:01 AM

Of course you're tired and depressed - you've been busting your behind for all these years - and the reward you dreamed of isn't available yet.

Check around and see what is/would be available for you in the fall with your degree. In these days, nothing is forever. If youo decide you want to go back as an aide, that's fine too. But if your heart is set in not doing that - rev up your engines and tell us other possibilities.

**Darlene** · 06-18-2010, 08:34 AM

Any chance that when your youngest graduates that you'd be willing to move where you can find a job teaching?

Dd has a teaching degree and is certified but cannot find a job here(and wasn't willing to go out of state) so she took 2 jobs to help pay her rent etc. In one job she works with a child welfare group and social services and now thinks she will go back to school to get a counseling degree. The other job is doing something that doesn't thrill her but helps pay those bills, cashiering. Sometimes you just do what you have to. In a way she's glad she didn't pursue the teaching... as as you probably know many teachers hands are tied as far as discipline etc and the classroom isn't what it used to be. No child left behind adds it's own problems to the mix.

I know it's upsetting Michelle, you've worked hard and long towards this goal but it's not the end. I'd finish school & take on some tutoring & subbing jobs if you want to stay in the teaching field til something opens up. (that's what dd's bf is doing also certified but can't get a teaching job but he really wants to teach so he's taking any job he can to keep him in the teaching field) If you want to try something new GO FOR IT!! My dd probably never would have thought about switching to counselling if it hadn't been for her starting a new job in another field. You've learned that it's never too late and the wold is your oyster Michelle, fly baby, fly.
Things aren't the way you want them to be but they will be. Give yourself some more time to finish this up and see where it leads you. Proud of how you never ever gave up, don't give it up now. Hang in & hang on!!

**ladykemma2** · 06-18-2010, 09:31 AM

i am a texas teacher who did the alternative teaching certification - high need, fast track situations for as science, special ed, and math teachers. i am going to speak bluntly and discuss your options.

for high school, your degree is useless to enter the alternative certification. no one will hire a content teacher for sociology. alternative certification for special ed would work nicely here.

for elementary school, i do not know how alternative certification works. if you want fast track alternative certification go for special ed. i would consider, if you really want to teach elementary school, go for a traditional teaching program resulting in a masters degree.

**frugalfoster** · 06-18-2010, 09:46 AM

What about substitute teaching until you can get hired on full time? Where I live, you can get alot of hours in doing that. Wouldn't that pay more than being an aide? Sure it would be less hours but the pay should be considerably more than the aide position.

**Mom23boys** · 06-18-2010, 12:16 PM

Thanks for all the input and ideas. I do appreciate them all.

In Texas, you can still become a certified teacher by going through an alternative certification program even if you do not have a degree in education. It does not matter what type of degree you hold as long as it is a 4 year degree. I have worked in the education field for over 15 years. I have actually implemented and lead a fitness program to the students where I currently work. My principal has also instructed me to come up with my own phonics lessons for the first grade students I work with. In a sense, I have already been teaching my own classes. I just do not get the teacher pay.

I have another option I am checking into at the moment. I am hoping to hear something soon. If this doesn't pan out, then I think I am going to try substitute teaching in the other school district. Not my school district because the other district pays way more for sub. teachers with degrees vs. our district.

The only benefit to being an aide vs. a sub is that aides get paid year round while subs do not. Even though it is summer and I am sitting at home, I am still receiving a paycheck. That is the nice part.

I can't wait to get this last class behind me and say I am officially a college graduate.

I feel a little better today. I think getting all this off my chest has helped.

**Jerseygirl** · 07-01-2010, 07:44 PM

See what is out there, you have all summer to look! Can I suggest something in social service, child welfare, homeless, non profit etc. Most supervisory positions require a bach. or better and you just might find the right fit, you can always do that for a year or two until a teaching spot opens.

**AmyBoz** · 07-01-2010, 08:08 PM

Finish the degree. Definitely. It's a tough time to get into education. We're being hammered across the country. But, get the degree, get the certification and continue as the aide. Your best angle to get into a district is by having experience there. It won't be this year, but maybe next. You might not like what they are asking you to do, but as you say, it's a job.

**rider** · 08-05-2010, 05:36 AM

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**Saule** · 08-07-2010, 01:49 PM

I am assuming you are finishing the degree and you need to. Will the principal or supervising teacher be willing to write letters of recommendation explaining what you have been doing in the classroom, that it's well beyond what a teachers aide would be doing? That could make the difference between you and someone who did only the minimal student teaching.

Subbing is sometimes a good option. My brother in law got his job which he worked until retirement from subbing, when no certified teacher took the job. It was special ed elementary school, he ended up with a masters. Do you have enough vacation time or can you arrange with your principal to may be do some subbing? Perhaps even at the school at which you are a teachers aide? They would know you and maybe choose you before others on the list. Subbing jobs here are hard to find, most schools are not accepting applicastions.