Now kid wants to be a teacher

[Anonymous]

Our rising senior has been unsure about what she wants to study, but was certain it would be a STEM field and would involve graduate school. Now, after working at a summer camp, she announced that she wants to be a teacher. I know why. She is having some mental health issues and has expressed that they love their job because kids make them feel so good about themselves. I don't have an issue with it, but I don't believe she is in the frame of mind or mature enough to commit to studying elementary education.
Furthermore, she has her heart set on an expensive private college. If she is sure that she wants an elementary education degree, I think we'd insist on a state school. Either in-state or somewhere, she can get some merit aid. That way, we'd have some funds left over and could at least buy her a car when she graduates.

The college process has already been a struggle so I'm not sure where to go from here. Should we suggest that she get a stem degree and then a graduate degree in education? That way, she has plenty of time to decide if it's what she really wants, and then she'd have career options if teaching isn't for her. I don't want to squash her dreams but she is 17 and not in a great place. Help!

[Anonymous]

I would have her take on some private loans as a hedge. These programs may be eliminated, but for now, some loans could be forgiven if she teaches in a public school.

If she stays stem, you pay them off.

[Anonymous]

Personally I would not pay for a private college for an elementary education degree either. I would insist that she either get a degree in a “real“ field and then pursue a masters and education as a one year graduate program following her bachelors degree. That’s what I did and I have been very glad to have my Degree in physics to back up my science education masters degree.

[Anonymous]

More: Tell her it will preserve her options because teaching is very difficult and not everyone can do 40 years of it.

[Anonymous]

OP: Your thoughts are very reasonable. Easy to earn a master's degree in education.

Are you comfortable sharing more info. about your daughter such as GPA, class rank, & standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) ?

[Anonymous]

Your daughter sounds like someone who should go in undecided -- and there's no shame in that. You'll just need to decide if you are willing to pay for her to be undecided at a private college.

She may be in a honeymoon period as a counselor. If she's still motivated to be a teacher at the end of the summer, that's a good sign.

And other posters, please stop saying things like "a real major." I guarantee you that education is real.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the mental health issues are because stem is being forced on her. Let her study education and don’t be a jerk by refusing to pay for it or by forcing her to go to a lesser college because of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe the mental health issues are because stem is being forced on her. Let her study education and don’t be a jerk by refusing to pay for it or by forcing her to go to a lesser college because of it.

The best undergrad programs in education are at state public universities (also Vanderbilt & Northwestern, but can be very expansive).

[Anonymous]

You take it one step at a time. She may find she changes her major multiple times, at least my kid with depression/mental health issues did. Just keep her moving forward and don't put too much pressure on her. College is a huge adjustment.

[Anonymous]

"you dont have to decide any of this now. we're not closing any doors. we'll come up with a list together of schools to look at and you'll apply widely. then we'll see where you're admitted, what the finances look like, and do revisits for fit. let's take it step by step. smart to think about what you want to study, but we have to just keep eye on getting essay done, writing up activities, things like that right now"

[Anonymous]

Let your DD decide all of this. Geez.

[Anonymous]

Let her go to the college of her choice, allow her to study what interests her without criticism, and nod supportively when she muses about what career path she might seek.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she can teach a STEM subject -HS level.
Or follow a path of cirruculm development (big field right now) vs teaching..
Teaching doesn't mean ES aged kids like youre pideon-holing.

[Anonymous]

Don't teachers need a masters? At least they did in the state that I was from.

Teaching is a great job if you like kids and teaching. There's job security and it's easy to have a family when your schedule matches theirs.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t pay 400k for an education degree no way. The ROI will never pay off. I’d encourage to major in STEM and minor in education or child psychology. You don’t need a masters to teach and the STEM degree automatically makes her highly qualified for science teacher.