Anonymous wrote: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.

Do you know private school teachers? Most are quite happy, although pay could be better. Make sure she goes in-state or to an inexpensive college and maybe start an IRA for her if you can afford it.

Anonymous wrote: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

Hang in there. In two years you'll be focusing on the kids more. In graduate school they told us to estimate five years to become fully up to speed in all aspects of the profession.

If she wants to be a teacher, let her major in education. On the other hand, she can explore other professions that work with children. I went to college wanting to be a teacher and changed my mind freshman year. I ended up getting my degree in Human Development/Family Studies. I knew I still wanted to work with kids but didn't know in what way. I learned more about speech therapy and occupational therapy and went to graduate school for occupational therapy. I am still "teaching" kids just in a different way. I didn't know what an OT was until my senior year of undergrad and I didn't know much about speech therapy either when I was deciding on my major in undergrad. You can always have her explore and learn more about other professions that work with children to see if there are other areas she is interested in.

Anonymous wrote:OP, have your daughter go read the FCPS, MCPS, and other school forums on this site. If she still wants to be a teacher after reading that toxicity then support her 130%.

Haha

Well hopefully we won’t be in a pandemic when graduation.

I’m actually returning to teaching. I did take on debt for elementary education and then ended up staying home for several years with kids and just renewed my license. It’s kind of like nursing where jobs will always be there. But it definitely should be done as cheaply as possible. Graduating with a ton of debt and teaching in this area with the cost of living is hard. Young teachers can’t survive here very easily.

Not sure if she wants to return to Virginia but if you don’t get the education degree you’re not likely to be able to teach elementary in the state. If you do get hired without a license and get a provisional you might still have many things to do to get the license.

OP, have your daughter go read the FCPS, MCPS, and other school forums on this site. If she still wants to be a teacher after reading that toxicity then support her 130%.

Anonymous wrote:My DD graduated with a degree in education from Stanford in 2016 and taught MS in FCPS. She burned out after two years and left because it was not a good environment.

Since 2019, she has been doing 1-on-1 tutoring in English, SAT and ACT prep, and her rate is $130/hour. Her students are from wealthy families, and she works seven hours everyday, Monday through Saturday. She is making more money now and also much happier.

Education is only a minor at Stanford. What did your daughter major in? https://majors.stanford.edu/education/educ

My DD graduated with a degree in education from Stanford in 2016 and taught MS in FCPS. She burned out after two years and left because it was not a good environment.

Since 2019, she has been doing 1-on-1 tutoring in English, SAT and ACT prep, and her rate is $130/hour. Her students are from wealthy families, and she works seven hours everyday, Monday through Saturday. She is making more money now and also much happier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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)

She may think she wants to teach elementary school but what if she changes her mind after a few years? Major in English or math or even minoring in them will help her as someone said if she ever wants to transition to being a math or ELA specialist or coach. Education is also considered a super easy major. Push her to do more now so she will have more choices later. What if she becomes an elementary school teacher and doesn’t like it? Or gets tired of it in a few years. Subject specialty is a big help in middle and high school and perhaps even elementary school

This may not be your daughter's cup of tea, but Hillsdale College offers a minor in Classical Education. I wonder if there are any other similar programs out there, that combine instruction in pedagogy with a solid core curriculum? https://www.hillsdale.edu/majors-minors/classical-education/

Anonymous wrote: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.

I haven't "driven away at 3 pm" a single day of my career, unless I left for an appointment and then picked up where I left off later that evening. I know you mentioned many work longer hours and are generally hard-working, but trust me, we're killing ourselves, too. However, I am thankful it's for a job I love and for a very worthy cause!

It may not have been your intent, but your post sounds as if you think educators have it easy. If you feel that teaching is better than what you have going, how about a career shift? Teach for America would be able to help you with that process and is always looking for new teachers. https://www.teachforamerica.org/

Your daughter picks her own major. Let her do what she wants. It's not up to you.

My DS is a freshman at Vanderbilt, in their Peabody School of Education. He has always thought he wanted to teach. He will likely major in Chemistry, as well as a teaching major. and he will likely get a masters after he has a first job. Kudos to your daughter. I wish more smart folks wanted to teach

Anonymous wrote: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.

My kids have gotten used to shelter and food so I can't just quit. I'd love to quit at the end of this year. Parents cannot wait to send their kids back to the very teachers they dump on.

Anonymous wrote: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

I wonder about all the extra curriculars teachers are pushed to do. They get very little for being coaches and club advisors. The work is amazing and the pay isn't great. That said, I know a lot of phenomenal teacher who love their jobs.

Good for her for having a plan and knowing what she wants to do. But college is a great tome and opportunity to explore and learn. She wont encounter as rich and concentrated availability of resources again. So i would encourage her to spread her wings and major in something other than education and take advantage of a variety of courses and she can also take education courses or get a masters or a certificate and be able to teach. She can do psychology, math, biology, etc. Even if she teaches elementary school, the richer her knowledge of the world and people, the better for her students down the road. College is often treated as only a place to get skills to get a job. And it should do some of that but its also a place where young adults can actually learn new things get exposed to new concepts and ideas.