Need advice from K-12 teachers

Parents Forum
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<p>I love my job! But agree that it is not even remotely stress free. The way I figured out if wanted to teach elem or HS was by subbing on an emergency credential before I started my teacher training but after I had my BA. I was never more exhausted than I was after half a day with Kindergarteners. That's how I knew early elem wasn't for me but I got a multi subject credential anyway as well as two single subject ones which has proven to be the best call. </p>

<p>My best advice is to encourage her to become credentialed to teach both so that if she ever wants to or needs to change in order to maximize her employability she has that flexibility.</p>

22

<p>I am also a mid-life career changer, and I love teaching. Would your daughter be interested in teaching Special Ed or ELL? Those jobs are and will continue to be in demand, due to federal mandates. There are many facets to Special Ed, including working with learning disabled students, visually and hearing impaired students, children with autism, etc. Speech-Language Pathologist is also a great job, much in demand in schools.</p>

<p>This might sound a little superficial, but one downside to elementary schools is that there are very few men working there, as opposed to middle and esp. high school. It's a very different culture- I doubt I'd have liked it much when I was young and single.</p>

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<p>The money reimbursed for graduate work or training credits will vary greatly from district to district. Some pay nothing, others pay the whole thing. My district will reimburse $125 per credit regardless of the school or program attended. The class does not have to be for a degree but can be for licensing purposes. (In our state you have to have 6 credits every 5 years in order to maintain your license.) </p>

<p>Graduate and professional classes for teachers are usually offered in the evenings, weekends and summer. It is pretty normal for teachers to be working on a masters while working full time.</p>

24

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<p>Yep - the "my house, my rules" mentality really comes in handy when the very fiber of your being has to communicate "my classroom, my rules" from the very first bell. It's something a teacher really has to own, IMO.</p>

<p>YMMV.</p>

25

<p>Thank you, Shennie.</p>