Now kid wants to be a teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is not true. You DO need a masters on many districts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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).

That’s not true. I have an elementary ed degree from BC and it’s an extraordinary program. Elementary Ed programs are important because they teach you how to teach which then makes you enjoy the job more because you are successful. Just “slapping on” an education certificate is certainly doable but not the best way to learn the skills and craft needed.
As job security goes it’s been great. People are constantly begging me to teach wherever we move or whatever stage of life we are in as a family.
I would let her think on it until she has to decide. She can get the preread without committing and then be sure other schools she’s talking to have elementary ed.

Another choice would be to take a year off next year as a gap year and work as an aide/kindergarten assistant in an elementary school. They are always looking for people. It could be a great gap year to continue work on mental health issues and see if she really wants to be in a classroom all day. In the end, she should go where she is happy and she should lead the process (you are in charge of money, but the money should not change based on if you like her major). She can always change her major or get a different masters in the future. It’s just school- there’s a lot of school out there.

[Anonymous]

You're putting a lot of stock in what a teenager with mental health issues is telling you she wants at the moment. In a few months she may change her mind. Focus on the mental health issues--everything else is secondary.

I agree a gap year involving work in an education related field could be a good idea for a struggling teen.

As for expensive private college vs. cheaper state institution--set a budget you can afford--I don't think it's a good idea to say you'll only pay X$ if you study Y subject--when teens can change their mind so easily.

I went to an Ivy, and while there was no "education" major as such, I had two friends who majored in STEM disciplines they wanted to teach, and there was an option to add some master's level education credits so that you could graduate with a teaching credential if you did the teaching assistantship as well.

Other colleges may have something similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

Let her be a teacher, but I agree, I would NOT spend on an expensive private school for an education major. You don't want debt when you start out with a low paying job. Also, it's simply not needed to spend that much. Go to a state school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

No, no no! Unless the OP can easily afford private university (without any hit to their own retirement and savings), you do not get to spend $90K+/year for 4 years to get a degree that is low paying. You do what most people do and attend State University or a private that gives great merit (think 1-2 tiers below your targets)

[Anonymous]

She MUST get a STEM degree, period. There are many careers one can do after that, not just in science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I'm trying to understand the ROI on STEM degrees. Engineering is a great option, but there's little demand for a BS in biology, chemistry, etc. out there. I wouldn't pay 400K for any undergrad degree.

Yes bio and chem are not high paying degrees, until you get some advanced degrees to go along with it.

I wouldn't pay 400K for a degree unless you can easily afford it. (have it saved and still have enough for retirement type of "afford it". But I certainly wouldn't do it for any field that doesn't pay well typically. Yes, engineering pays well. When you start at $75-80K+ you can afford $30-40K in student loans. But for teaching, no, go somewhere that you won't have debt. Most state U have great education programs.

[Anonymous]

This is why 17 year olds should not make permanent career decisions. She should go to a college that you can afford that allows time to explore before choosing a binding major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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]

No wonder there's a teacher shortage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

If you are willing to pay for private then you are willing to pay. Do not make it dependent on the major or career goal. That is wrong IMO. And, furthermore if the elite private T25 types are on the list and within range then she will be able to explore classes and majors. Sure she may become a teacher, that is great, but more than likely once in that environment she will aim big and decide she wants to go phD, MD, law , consulting, finance, startup...That is what most there do. While there are students at elites that become elementary or middle school teachers and NPs and similar mid-level jobs, these are not common. The few who really want to teach often get masters or phD and teach for top high schools(or become professors). Almost every teacher in my kids' private high school has a masters or phD. Some were educated at average schools; the best ones came from Ivies, Williams, Duke, and the like.
If you make her go to a regular state school she will be significantly reducing chances for the big dreams. If it is a top flagship (Michigan, UVA, WM, UNC, UCs) then they send plenty to phD, law, med and she will be fine there.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone thought about AI? Lots of stuff about AI replacing teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

No, no no! Unless the OP can easily afford private university (without any hit to their own retirement and savings), you do not get to spend $90K+/year for 4 years to get a degree that is low paying. You do what most people do and attend State University or a private that gives great merit (think 1-2 tiers below your targets)

Mine are both at ivies and mainly targeted T20uni/T5LAC. I would have happily paid for any school in that range and let them major in anything they like. The outcomes from top places, for all majors, are excellent. The backup was UVA and we would not have paid for any private school that had significantly worse outcomes over the cost of UVA in state.
The ivies have been worth every cent but of course we can afford it with minimal budgeting and no loans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She MUST get a STEM degree, period. There are many careers one can do after that, not just in science.

NP and you can’t force someone to do this if they don’t want to. The classes are really hard. You won’t understand unless you went through it. I got the STEM degree and promptly became a teacher, despite my parents protests. I’m at end the end of my career now and make a good salary and live in a great neighborhood because DH is not a teacher.

I tell my children not to become teachers. It’s hard now and so much is not about teaching kids. But I would support them if they really wanted to. In my neighborhood, most wives do not work at all and have all sorts of degrees but then became SAHMs. There’s that too.

You will find other threads that say college is about the experience. And financial situations affect everything.

If you can convince her to get a degree in a content area it would be best. Many districts pay for a teaching certification now since teachers are needed so badly. My district will hire and then pay for her to get her certification.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand. Maybe she got exposed to working with children and absolutely love it? Maybe she will be fulfilled by it. Why are we shooting down her dreams? I personally would support her but guide her. Let her know that you are willing to pay for community college fully while she gets her mental health in check and then after two years, sit down together to transfer and finalized her degree choice.