Teacher in Debt from Student Loans (Hunter, Hope: mortgage, find a job, law school) - City-Data Forum

mickey10 · 05-05-2010, 03:12 PM

hi,

just wondering what teachers thought about taking student loans for a school to get my teaching credential? I am planning to go to Hunter College for the graduate program and I will be taking a total of about 40K of student loans for the 2 years it will take me to finish school plus living costs.

Any thoughts?

bluedog2 · 05-05-2010, 05:49 PM

Just don't count on getting a teaching job immediately.
I think school budget cuts,layoffs,hiring freezes,etc will be the norm for quite a while across the country.
If I were preparing for a teaching career now and wanted to get hired immediately and not be too concerned about ever losing my job, I would get certified in special ed. It's the one area where teachers are always needed almost everywhere.

pajones3 · 05-05-2010, 11:44 PM

It is a shame and may not be widely spread, but physical education classes have been cut out completely in some cities. Hopefully physical education classes remain in the cities that you are speaking of bluedog2.

Fortunately I was able to help my daughter avoid outstanding undergrad loans when she earned her undergrad degree from the Univ of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She is still paying off the loans necessary to complete law school in Ann Arbor 12 years ago. Mickey10 taking on this debt will be a hard decision. My daughter cried when she signed for the first loan. She had gone too far to turn back. Wow !!! to the cost of the 2 yr program. With the economy as it is I had not heard about its effect on teaching positions per se. Mickey10 you may be one of the individuals who do not encounter a problem obtaining a position. What are your other options if you decide against teaching? Best wishes, P.J.

bluedog2 · 05-06-2010, 04:46 AM

pajones,I was talking about special ed,not physical ed. Quite a big difference ! And I I have never heard of a school district eliminating special education.Physical ed yes,special ed no.

I certainly wasn't meaning to discourage mickey from pursuing a teaching career.I just think that given the changes happening in the field right now and in the foreseeable future, he have a realistic view of how and when he will be able to pay back his loans.He may get a teaching job quickly or it might take a few years.

analyticalkeys · 05-06-2010, 06:32 AM

Do you have a BA in Education? If so, most schools will give you a stipend for your MA so you won't have to take out loans.

SobroGuy · 05-06-2010, 08:26 AM

I have a 20 year payment on an MBA, a simple 2 year program...which will be longer than my mortgage payment! You are in good company, but at the end of the day it was well worth it.

mickey10 · 05-06-2010, 12:38 PM

I am actually in the middle of a career change. (worked in Advertising for 3 years). So yes, my concern is that I wont be able to find a job in teaching immediately after completing the Masters program. However, I know that there are some other careers I can fall back on if needed. At least I'll have that teaching credential and Masters right?..

On the flip side, my family is in California and I have also applied for school there. The tuition costs will even out as I will be cconsidered a non-Cali resident for one semester. Its just the living costs of NYC that will make me pull out some more loans.

Im just worried about whether the 40-50K in loans is worth it for me to stay in NY and for a teaching/Masters credential....