I'm married to a high school teacher who loves his job. My BF is married an elementary school teacher who loves his job. We know lots of teachers who love their jobs. But it's relentless, hands-on, up on a wire without much of a net every single day and every teacher knows plenty of people who washed out early because they didn't like it or couldn't hack it. It's definitely not for everyone.

Being a teacher is putting your whole self-- mentally and physically--into your work every day and (in the US anyway) mostly earning nothing but criticism and disrespect from society at large. That's why teachers tell people not to become teachers.

Most students change their major.

This is a horrible thread! The world will always need great teachers. I would say that you shouldn't overspend on an education degree, but assuming she will attend a good state college or a private college with good scholarships, she should go for it!

Thank god there are people like your daughter. Tell her to follow her dream.

My child is the same - she says she is going to be a teacher when she grows up and loves to play with younger kids and "teach them." But yeesh, that's a hard road! And why do universities charge the same no matter the major? I don't want to pay the same for pre-med or pre-law that I'm paying for elementary school teaching!

She should shadow teachers in different settings before she commits to it. I'm an ES teacher and I wouldn't fund my child's education to become a teacher.

What a bunch of Debbie Downers! Not everyone wants to be a business or STEM major or doctor or lawyer. The teachers where we live are very well paid, by the way. It is a lot of work, but also a lot of reward. We know lots of teachers and they are great at what they do and very committed. Yes, some burn out and move on to other things, but we have many friends, neighbors, and family members who have really enjoyed teaching.

Education is one of several majors our DD is considering and frankly one of the reasons we are encouraging it is because there is no shortage of jobs. Also for people who aren’t “desk job” people and/or enjoy being around people and especially kids it can be a good option.

My advice would be to try to find a combined MA/5 year program if you can and to look for a school in the state your DC thinks they want to live so when they come out with their degree/credentials/certifications they are ready to teach and live.

I really feel sorry for her. This is a terrible time to want to become a teacher.

Anonymous wrote:Please tell her to double major in education or something else. Or major in something else and get a masters teaching degree if she still wants to teach. Teaching is exhausting, thankless and low paying. Ed Reform has killed any joy that was in teaching

OP this is the way to go. Undergrad degree in a subject, then master's for teaching. The undergrad degree will open her options, both in teaching or if she ever leaves. The master's degree will bump her to a higher pay scale. Also, master's programs contain good cohorts: high-achieving, focused people with interesting backgrounds and experience.

it's not really about the money. I know she can get a job (there is a major shortage of teachers in our state and they're desperate for anyone with the credentials)...and so long as she's able to provide for the basics, couldn't care less about money. just makes me nervous that almost every single teacher I know is like....noooo...don't do it.

Possibly the worst choice of a major if she ever wants to stack that cheez. How is she with engineering? Accounting? Coding?

Wow. Your poor daughter OP. She’ll never make mommy happy, will she?

Please tell her to double major in education or something else. Or major in something else and get a masters teaching degree if she still wants to teach. Teaching is exhausting, thankless and low paying. Ed Reform has killed any joy that was in teaching

Waste of time and money. Tell her to go STEM.

my daughter has wanted to become an elementary school teacher since she was a little girl. but 99% of teachers I know are like...hell no would I ever recommend my kids get into this field. so i'm struggling with what to do or say to her. by the time she's off to college in the fall she'll be an adult in charge of her own life but it's still hard.