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I recently changed my major to education and am questioning it. I have been in retail for the last 15 years and would definitely be taking a pay cut but figured as a single mom the schedule would have its benefits. On the other hand I am constantly being reminded by instructors that there is not much money in teaching. I don't mind the pay cut but I definitely do not want to work harder for less. Online quotes are from 30k to 45k and 67k. I understand I will be starting low but what am I really looking at? Then another professor told me it is not a 8-5 job there is a lot of outside work, that you are not paid for. Lots of late nights and taking work home. Is a masters degree required for decent pay? Please help me out I am trying to way the pros and cons and without being in the field is very difficult. Thank you
Do you WANT to teach? If the answer is yes, then a lot of that other stuff just becomes stuff that comes with the job and not an inconvenience or hardship.
I was going to teach, but didn't want to do it enough to do all the extra work. I was up until midnight some nights planning what to do. I have friends who do it and love preparing their lesson plans, putting together display boards, etc. And they've all told me that it's the 1st year that is the roughest. After that, it almost becomes a well oiled machine.
Good luck with your decision. I'm glad I made the one I made, but can't tell you what's right for you and/or your circumstances.
You start of low. In Phoenix it will be in the 30's. In California it will be in the 40's. A masters always helps. If you go the route of teacher find a field like Special Education...you will get more pay.
II am constantly being reminded by instructors that there is not much money in teaching.
Well, that's relative, isn't it? I think teachers make pretty decent money.
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I don't mind the pay cut but I definitely do not want to work harder for less.
That is a possibility.
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Online quotes are from 30k to 45k and 67k.
You should be able to find out fairly easily what you'll make. Just Google whatever school district you want to teach in. Most have salary schedules on their webpage, usually under the Human Resources section.
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Then another professor told me it is not a 8-5 job there is a lot of outside work, that you are not paid for. Lots of late nights and taking work home.
Some do, some don't. I know some teachers that work 7:45-3:15, Monday - Friday and never take anything home. It's really all about how efficient you are and how much effort you put into it.
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Is a masters degree required for decent pay?
It really depends on the district. My district pays about $3,000/yr. more for a Master's degree. Some, like many districts in the northeast, pay quite a bit more for advanced degrees. Other districts, like many in Texas, pay little extra for advanced degrees ($1,000-2,000 extra/yr.)
My husband recently left the military to teach highschool. It's been tough. He has a Matsers and earns about 50K annually. He works from 6am to after 5pm most days. They say after the first year it get easier, but he is always stressed with preparing his classes. He brings a lot of work home with him. He teaches in a low-income school district and the kids are very challenging. Let's just say he yells a lot at them! All in all I regret his decision to teach...I think he does too.
I think if you're going into teaching for the money, you're doing yourself and the kids a disservice. Because many times you'll be frustrated, and think "this isn't worth it", and the students will be taking the fall. Any teacher who is yelling at kids needs to find a new profession, IMO.
If you love kids, though, and are willing to put in the extra hours to do your best job, then go for it!
The first couple years will be tough. I did not have a child until I'd been teaching for over ten years, which helped, because I *finally* know what I am doing! I no longer bring work home- but I do get to school over an hour before school starts, and I avoid colleagues during my preps so I can really work and not spend the time chatting. I do spend part of Sat. or Sun. planning and getting ready for the week, so that all my plans are essentially done by Monday.
Is your child school age? I know that when my daughter starts school, I'll probably do my school work when she does her homework. Then I'll be really on top of things, and maybe it will motivate her.
If you really, really want to do it, you'll find a way around the challenges.
I am a teacher and I have thought about leaving the profession, but would need a way to pay the bills while I am making the transition. I am teaching near the Mexican border so teachers down here have a lot of challenging children. I had a first grader who brought a lighter to school, said the words kiss my a**! in front of the class. I also had another first grader say that he would like to kill Santa. We have TONS of paperwork. I often work 6 days a week and probably should be working more often than that but need to have a little time by myself.
Connecticut is the highest-paying state for teachers. You should definitely get a Master's Degree for more money. Teaching has become a frustrating, extremely time-consuming job.
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