education major
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Anonymous
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Don't go into debt to become a teacher, and major in something other than education. Do a double major if necessary.
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Anonymous
| I’m a first year teacher this year. Worked at a different job first. I am so incredibly exhausted every day. I did not realise how much time you have to spend on other things besides grading. There are so many county and state requirements some of which make no sense and are a huge time suck. Evaluations are stressful. Wish I could just focus on the kids but you really cannot |
Anonymous
| Sorry, in my previous post I meant besides teaching and grading |
Anonymous
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Agreed with all who says it’s a slog. Really, it’s a labor of love. If you don’t love teaching and know that it’s what you were meant to do, it’s a horrible job!
My mother was a teacher and basically worked 11-hours days the entire school year. (Yeah, I know not every teacher is like that, but the good teachers are.) And she loved her summer breaks. But she didn’t retire until she was in her mid-60s because she LOVED it. Went way past her eligible retirement date. So no, it’s not a good path for everyone. But we will always need teachers, it’s a more stable career path, and some kids were just made for it. (I was not, but my DC is heading to college and also wants to teach. Skipped a generation, I guess.) I will second the poster who suggested a 5-year master’s program if you can find one. A lot of colleges are cutting their education majors, so minoring in education and majoring in the field you want to teach is a good plan. |
Anonymous
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My son is a junior in college and has decided he wants to be a teacher. He's majoring in something else and getting a certificate that will allow him to teach in the state where he's getting his degree. If he likes it after a couple of years, he'll go back and get a degree so he can relocate (or just be a better teacher in the same place).
Lots of people decide teaching isn't for them, and sometimes it's the salary, but a lot of time it's just the frustration with things that happen outside the classroom, such as "educational reform" BS. |
Anonymous
how does this work for elementary teaching? I get it for high school/middle school where you are teaching a subject. She's only interested in elementary school and doesn't have any particular interest or talent in the "specials" (art or music or phy ed) |
Anonymous
My wife was a human development major, got an MBA and worked in industry for years. She didn't like it and we moved a lot (military) prompting her to go get a Master's in Elementary Education. She's been teaching now for 15+ years and loves it, it is not out of the ordinary to major in a separate subject that can be useful if teaching doesn't work out. |
Anonymous
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Ever notice the people who say don't teach who are teachers are still teaching? Ever notice the worst teachers are the ones with a crappy attitude?
My kid is going into education, couldn't be happier for her. She will have zero debt when she is finished and a masters and is at a private university,. She plans to work in elementary educating and move into a counseling role at some point. She will probably start between 45k and 50k not a bad start with zero debt. Add to that the tutoring business she has already started which currently brings in about 25k a year. Plus great benefits. |
Anonymous
| Could she major in subject matter then get the MAT as PPs mentioned, then perhaps apply to boarding schools or privates? Maybe international schools? |
Anonymous
I think it depends on the state. In NY you have to have a specialization in addition to education stuff, essentially a double major. My daughter is majoring in history + elementary education now. And I approve. |
Anonymous
| The teachers where I live (NYC suburb) make BANK. Summers off and driving away at 3PM? I'm sure many work longer hours and are generally hard working, but from where I sit, killing myself, often for an unworthy cause (consulting).... I would definitely encourage my daughter and son to pursue this path if it interests them. |
Anonymous
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"Agreed with all who says it’s a slog. Really, it’s a labor of love. If you don’t love teaching and know that it’s what you were meant to do, it’s a horrible job!"
This is all completely true but aren't the vast majority of jobs the same way? Sales, marketing, retail, tourism, HR, self-employed, associate lawyer, entrepreneur, banking, STEM lab work and so on. Some jobs in my list are more fun than others, they suffer from being paid less. Some jobs in my list aren't known for being fun but they suffer from being higher pressure. Even jobs like professional athlete often become a slog because so few make it. The ones who don't mostly end up slogging because they have no backup plan. |
Anonymous
So curious how you define "bank". Its all relative to the cost of living for a particular area which cannot be low for NYC suburb. Now if it's a second family income then that's a different story. |
Anonymous
Other PPs have answered but also, Psychology with math minor, and she could be the math resource teacher for her grade or school. Or English, and she will have a deeper background in the literature she's preparing her students to study after they move on from her class. Film Studies, and she will have technical and creative skills that will come in very handy in an elementary school. Biology or history or geography to give her the studies or science background that many elementary teachers lack. Also, tell her not to rule out teaching middle school. Certification for elementary often includes at least the first year of middle school, sometimes the second, and some teachers to their surprise, fall in love with that age group. |
Anonymous
Encouraging your child to go into education for the big money and minimal effort seems like a disservice to the kid and the students they'll eventually teach. |