I have considered going back to school to degree that would High School or College Education, and was wondering on how to pay for another degree without breaking the bank. One person suggested the TEACH Grant, but from I’ve read, you have to commit to area of low-income student for 4 years to as an agreement. I’m just not sure that’s a good, because not only is the pay is lower, but I’m a introvert who doesn’t like getting involved in social drama. I think I could handle regular teaching jobs, but low income seems to require a lot more extroversion, social work, and passion. Plus the areas I would be interested are History, English, or Drama, which aren’t that high demand anyway. I have already a bachelor’s degree in Communications, but won’t be pursuing in that field. May pursue a masters in other fields along with a certificate if I go that route.
Honestly, it completely depends on the school and the administration. Sometimes it’s a trainwreck. Other times you’ll have an incredibly supportive, structured, and passionate environment. I’m an introvert too. Sometimes it’s hard to be “on” all day, but I don’t think that’s anything specific to low income areas. But if you’re not passionate about teaching, don’t get into it, no matter what income area.
I’ve never been to a high school that wasn’t low-income, so I don’t know how they compare, but I went to a rural low-income school (i.e. it’s in [this directory](https://www.tcli.ed.gov/CBSWebApp/tcli/TCLIPubSchoolSearch.jsp)) and it seemed pretty quiet. Most of the teachers came from the same area, and I don’t think they were inordinately stressed out.
We looked at TEACH grants for my daughter but she ultimately went to a state school and we were able to cover her costs. The options are not only low income but also subjects that might be in demand, like special ed or math. Look into it more carefully. The other thing is that you can choose not to teach in one of those schools and to instead pay the loans back.
My D taught for one year at a high performing low income school. She loved her job, resource room teacher, WHEN she was allowed to do it. The principal used to use her as a sub whenever a classroom teacher was out rather than dip into his budget. Then, she would get downgraded because her kids didn’t improve enough. She left teaching after one year, with a masters, so can I say that I am happy I didn’t take out loans to send her to college.
Ok, if went into teaching it wouldn’t be math or special ed. It would probably either history or English/literature (not Esl).
If you don’t want to do sped or math or even science, then you would have to teach in a lower income/higher needs area. My D looked briefly at options like teaching on an Indian reservation but ultimately decided to stay in NY.
Are you asking us to dissuade you? I guess what concerns is the comments about social drama and social work, whether you really have the passion to teach and find the best in kids. Even in higher SES areas, there’s plenty of drama.
I know young adults teaching in challenged, low SES areas and they enjoy the work and the students. Maybe they won’t do it forever, but they are satisfied they have impact.
No, just trying to find out if it’s a good or bad for me. I’m pretty introverted and not great at dealing with a lot political or social drama.
I also have autism, and we don’t handle social drama or group interaction as well as other people. And I never said I passionate about teaching, but I thought it was something I might enjoy or be good at.
Teaching profession, or major in education is very hard, and stressful. But if you have the desire and passion to serve on your future students the stress is voided.
In addition to what other have said, a lot of low income areas near me are higher paying than those in other neighborhoods because turnover tends to be higher- so they try to “bribe” you in a way.
I’ve done my fieldwork in one placement that was not low income and honestly of the 5 or so schools I’ve been in, that was my least favorite…
I don’t know that teaching is the best profession for someone with autism (my oldest son is Aspie). It’ s not so much the drama but if you have issues with reading body language or inflection and tone of voice, working with teenagers may not be the best idea.
As for drama in the lower SES, my D was educated in a high income area and she said she so much preferred the parents in the lower SES where she taught than the parents of her classmates. Those parents who bothered to show up for open school night were grateful to her for working with their children whereas many of my fellow parents do nothing but complain (“Jimmy got an 89.2, and the teacher didn’t give him a 90 - he’ll never get into Harvard now”.)
I frankly recommend against you pursuing a career in teaching.