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Missouri Teachers Chatboard

Is a career in teaching really that bad?

by Jennie

May 10, 2010

I keep reading about how awful it is to be a teacher from some. I am currently in school now and have been going back and forth between whether to pursue a teaching degree or go into social work. I think I would enjoy teaching, but then I hear others say how low the pay is and that they spend a lot of time working even when they get home. And, then I have heard some things about Social Security that I am not even certain if I understand.

I have to be honest about my situation. My husband is not in the best of health and I have a child that takes up a lot of time and energy (special needs) and I am not sure what his needs will be as he gets closer to adulthood. He will eventually be able to live independently, but he will need help.

Both occupations are demanding careers, but I truely can't see myself doing anything else. I want to do something that will help others. I do have a heart for children with disabilities and their families because as a parent of one, I have ...See More

Darci On 5/10/10, Jennie wrote: > I keep reading about how awful it is to be a teacher from > some. I am currently in school now and have been going back > and forth between whether to pursue a teaching degree or go > into social work. I think I would enjoy teaching, but then > I hear others say how low the pay is and that they spend a >...See MoreOn 5/10/10, Jennie wrote: > I keep reading about how awful it is to be a teacher from > some. I am currently in school now and have been going back > and forth between whether to pursue a teaching degree or go > into social work. I think I would enjoy teaching, but then > I hear others say how low the pay is and that they spend a > lot of time working even when they get home. And, then I > have heard some things about Social Security that I am not > even certain if I understand. > > I have to be honest about my situation. My husband is not > in the best of health and I have a child that takes up a > lot of time and energy (special needs) and I am not sure > what his needs will be as he gets closer to adulthood. He > will eventually be able to live independently, but he will > need help. > > Both occupations are demanding careers, but I truely can't > see myself doing anything else. I want to do something that > will help others. I do have a heart for children with > disabilities and their families because as a parent of one, > I have probably felt every emotion they have felt at one > time or the other. And, I have seen my child struggle in > every area of his life, especially school. I have had to > figure out how to help him with assignments in rather > unconventional ways, but it worked and he eventually > learned the material. > > I do have to add that I am not a genius. I earn every A I > get. Math is my hardest subject, while English/Writing > comes natural for me and I do enjoy History (although, that > may be in part to my wonderful History professor). > > Should I even give teaching a second thought? I am really > at a point where I need to make a decision before I drive > myself crazy over this.

First, now is a terrible time to go into teaching unless you're able to move - and even THEN it's questionable. Very few openings & the job market in MO schools is very competitive. You mentioned low pay, long hours - expect to spend a lot of your own money, esp if you're the type of person who cares & can't stand to see children go without supplies, socks, etc. As far as Social Security, Missouri teachers pay into the PSRS-PEERS & windfall elimination keeps you from collecting as much of the soc security which you may have already accrued. You also mentioned social work - but it's another high-stress, long hours & low pay type of job.

YOU have to be the one to weigh the pros & cons and what works best for your situation. Having a husband with health issues & a special-needs child sounds like a heavy load already, but YOU know your limitations & your strengths & weaknesses.

GOOD LUCK in making the decision. I don't mean to sound dire, but jobs are just very hard to come by right now - in many, many fields.

May 12, 2010

JT I wish that someone would have warned me as Darci just warned you before I got my teaching credential. If I could take that 30K back and do something else I would in a heartbeat.

NOT because of the career itself - but because of the mess that education has become in this country within the last five years.

On 5/12/10, Darci wrote:...See MoreI wish that someone would have warned me as Darci just warned you before I got my teaching credential. If I could take that 30K back and do something else I would in a heartbeat.

NOT because of the career itself - but because of the mess that education has become in this country within the last five years.

On 5/12/10, Darci wrote: > On 5/10/10, Jennie wrote: >> I keep reading about how awful it is to be a teacher from >> some. I am currently in school now and have been going back >> and forth between whether to pursue a teaching degree or go >> into social work. I think I would enjoy teaching, but then >> I hear others say how low the pay is and that they spend a >> lot of time working even when they get home. And, then I >> have heard some things about Social Security that I am not >> even certain if I understand. >> >> I have to be honest about my situation. My husband is not >> in the best of health and I have a child that takes up a >> lot of time and energy (special needs) and I am not sure >> what his needs will be as he gets closer to adulthood. He >> will eventually be able to live independently, but he will >> need help. >> >> Both occupations are demanding careers, but I truely can't >> see myself doing anything else. I want to do something that >> will help others. I do have a heart for children with >> disabilities and their families because as a parent of one, >> I have probably felt every emotion they have felt at one >> time or the other. And, I have seen my child struggle in >> every area of his life, especially school. I have had to >> figure out how to help him with assignments in rather >> unconventional ways, but it worked and he eventually >> learned the material. >> >> I do have to add that I am not a genius. I earn every A I >> get. Math is my hardest subject, while English/Writing >> comes natural for me and I do enjoy History (although, that >> may be in part to my wonderful History professor). >> >> Should I even give teaching a second thought? I am really >> at a point where I need to make a decision before I drive >> myself crazy over this. > > > > First, now is a terrible time to go into teaching unless > you're able to move - and even THEN it's questionable. Very > few openings & the job market in MO schools is very > competitive. You mentioned low pay, long hours - expect to > spend a lot of your own money, esp if you're the type of > person who cares & can't stand to see children go without > supplies, socks, etc. As far as Social Security, Missouri > teachers pay into the PSRS-PEERS & windfall elimination keeps > you from collecting as much of the soc security which you may > have already accrued. You also mentioned social work - but > it's another high-stress, long hours & low pay type of job. > > YOU have to be the one to weigh the pros & cons and what works > best for your situation. Having a husband with health issues > & a special-needs child sounds like a heavy load already, but > YOU know your limitations & your strengths & weaknesses. > > GOOD LUCK in making the decision. I don't mean to sound dire, > but jobs are just very hard to come by right now - in many, > many fields.

May 21, 2010

momof2asdkids It does sound like you have a full plate but that should have nothing to do with your career choice. I have been teaching for 18 years and have not regretted a minute of it. I have two children with special needs. Yes, it is hard to break in right now...no question. But getting certified in some areas that are hard to find certified applicants for ...See More

Jul 1, 2010

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