Anonymous wrote:You should focus on public school only and consider if your family can function on one income in case you maintain a steady income.

DP. I’m curious: why should she focus on public school only? I don’t understand this advice at all.

You should focus on public school only and consider if your family can function on one income in case you maintain a steady income.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- much do para educators make? Do you need a teaching license.

So the current numbers have the kids finishing middle school at their private school, and then switching to our pretty good public. I went to private prep school, and so I feel bad not giving my kids the same, but a healthy mother is probably more important.

Everyone is scaring me away from teaching. What about private school? I went to great schools myself so could be a good candidate. If I make $60k it would make up the cash flow difference.

I guess I could find a lower stress job in my field but I haven’t been able to thus far. This is my second move to a pay-cut job, and it’s not less stress.

I transferred to a private school from public. I’m much happier now! The days are less hectic and I don’t feel as burned out at the end of the day, so I still have some strength left for my own family. There’s still a lot of work to do outside of the school day. (For example, I’ll put in 5-7 hours of planning today - a Saturday. I have to plan more since I’m responsible for my own curriculum; there’s no district giving me what to teach.) But overall: I think it’s much more manageable.

Private does pay less. I’ve been teaching 15 years and only recently made over $75K. I’m not sure how much a new teacher makes, but you may be able to argue for a higher starting salary because of life experience.

OP here- much do para educators make? Do you need a teaching license.

So the current numbers have the kids finishing middle school at their private school, and then switching to our pretty good public. I went to private prep school, and so I feel bad not giving my kids the same, but a healthy mother is probably more important.

Everyone is scaring me away from teaching. What about private school? I went to great schools myself so could be a good candidate. If I make $60k it would make up the cash flow difference.

I guess I could find a lower stress job in my field but I haven’t been able to thus far. This is my second move to a pay-cut job, and it’s not less stress.