Edit: Thank you all for your honesty! After further consideration, I’ve decided to put off the idea of grad school, at least for a while, and instead continue to pursue other passions.
Thank you all again, and I wish you all good health and happiness.
Original Post:
I graduated from college about a year ago with a bachelor’s in English, but lately I’ve been feeling fairly lost. I thought that I wanted to be an editor or a copyeditor, but I really don’t think I’m as well suited to it as I hoped.
When I was in middle school and high school, I worked a lot with younger kids, and I spent a lot of time tutoring them and my friends. I really enjoyed helping them, and I think I might have gone Education had it not been for a particularly…unkind teacher, who made me begin to fear school with a passion.
Now that the chips are down, I find myself wondering if I should apply to my state’s MAT program and pursue education as a career. I am even applying to be a substitute teacher for my old school. Ido have concerns, though they may be unfounded.
My questions are:
Do you enjoy being a teacher, overall?
Is your happiness quotient fairly high?
Are Gen Alpha students truly a nightmare, or is that just the media?
Is the pay terrible? (Below $40,000?)
Do you have mobility with regards to job locations?
Do you get to take sick days? If so, how many?
Would you do it again?
Teacher salaries and job satisfaction greatly depend on your state. For example, conditions in Massachusetts and California are quite favorable, unlike some other states. Also, consider that teaching involves motivating students who might not be interested in your subject, which can be quite challenging.
Teacher pay varies significantly by location. I earn over $80,000 but part of it goes to healthcare and pension contributions, which are valuable benefits. Working with kids, especially teenagers, can be challenging but also very rewarding. Teaching gets easier after the initial years once you’ve settled into the role. It offers a good work-life balance and I’m glad I chose this path.
Starting as a substitute teacher is a great way to gain firsthand experience of teaching without committing to further qualifications. It can help you decide if this is the right path for you.
The teaching experience can vary widely depending on the location. Some areas have better pay and conditions due to strong unions. Before deciding, research the specific region you’re interested in, especially in terms of union presence, salary scales, and contract conditions.
@Unber
I’ve taught in both South Carolina and Massachusetts, and the difference in job satisfaction and conditions between these states is stark. I’m currently very satisfied with my teaching career in Massachusetts.
Teaching is currently facing many challenges, including adapting to technological changes and dealing with the long-term effects of the pandemic on student learning. Make sure any teaching program you consider is up-to-date with the latest educational methods, especially in reading and literacy.
My husband transitioned to teaching after a career in hospitality and is very satisfied. Your experience can vary greatly depending on where you teach. For instance, urban schools might present more challenges but can also be very rewarding if you approach them with the right mindset.
Teaching can be very competitive, especially in English and Language Arts. In my state, new teachers often start in more challenging middle school positions before moving on to more desirable roles, such as teaching AP classes.
I retired from teaching English two years ago. While the profession has its benefits, such as decent pay and good benefits, it has become increasingly stressful and less professional over the years. If you’re considering teaching, be prepared for a challenging environment.
Job mobility and pay in teaching can vary depending on the state you’re in. Some states have more generous pay scales and benefits, but moving between states can sometimes be complicated by different certification requirements.
If you’re interested in working in schools but not sure about teaching, consider exploring speech-language pathology. It’s in high demand and offers diverse work settings.
chase said:
If you’re interested in working in schools but not sure about teaching, consider exploring speech-language pathology. It’s in high demand and offers diverse work settings.
Thank you for the suggestion, I’ll consider exploring that field!
chase said:
If you’re interested in working in schools but not sure about teaching, consider exploring speech-language pathology. It’s in high demand and offers diverse work settings.
Speech-language pathology can be very lucrative, especially if you also work in the private sector.
Consider the full scope of the teaching job, which involves more than just delivering content. The administrative burdens and behavioral management aspects can be significant. Alternatively, look into becoming a speech-language pathologist, which may offer a slightly less overwhelming introduction to working in education.
I retired from teaching after many years, and the landscape of the profession has changed dramatically. The increasing administrative demands and lack of support can make teaching a very challenging career.
You can find specific pay scales and benefits information on the websites of different school districts, which can help you make a more informed decision about where to teach.
Teaching often does not offer a livable wage compared to other professions such as software engineering, which can be far more lucrative with less stress.