Any Teachers Here?

[IassaFTots]

I did a fast track back in 98, and taught for a semester.  It was hell.  Ended up going back to my job, in benefits, in a callcenter.  bleck.  Texas does have a great fast track program.  I did mine with a bachelors, but I had to get the education stuff under my belt.  I wouldn't recommend teaching personally, but there are lots of fast track ideas out there, to get your degree.

[Hawkgirl]

I did a fast track back in 98, and taught for a semester.  It was hell.  Ended up going back to my job, in benefits, in a callcenter.  bleck.  Texas does have a great fast track program.  I did mine with a bachelors, but I had to get the education stuff under my belt.  I wouldn't recommend teaching personally, but there are lots of fast track ideas out there, to get your degree.

Yes, I found another local university that will allow me to get a Bachelors while using my vocational school  credits...in 2 years..this way I have time to decide whether to advance where I am now...or go back and get certified in teaching.  Florida is pretty lenient...you just need a bachelors and then take a short cause for teacher's accreditation.  This university is private, and very well known in Florida

[debk]

Yes, I found another local university that will allow me to get a Bachelors while using my vocational school  credits...in 2 years..this way I have time to decide whether to advance where I am now...or go back and get certified in teaching.  Florida is pretty lenient...you just need a bachelors and then take a short cause for teacher's accreditation.  This university is private, and very well known in Florida

For healthcare admin....you might be able to test out of some stuff, just on practical experience.

Have you thought about going into radiology sales? I have a friend who is around my age, and had been an x-ray tech since she was really young. She had gone on to get her Bachelors, and all the certs possible over almost 30 years. She stayed at UT Hospital until she had her 30 years in, and now sells for a company that sells either equipment or supplies(I'm not sure which)....she travels alot, works about the same hours, makes really good money, and isn't stuck in the hospital. She wanted a change, and by going to work for this company, she had the knowledge that the company wanted.

[Hawkgirl]

...she travels alot,

a few of my friends did that....it requires a lot of traveling...that's not what I want with a young child at home.

[chitownchica]

I graduated with an education degree in 91 and got a job teaching 6th grade in a Dallas suburb. I was young and had lots of energy back then .  I enjoyed it for 3 years, was so/so the 4th year, and by the 5th year I HATED it.  We went from being a school that had mainly middle to upper middle income students, and with that type of socioeconomic status comes many benefits for teachers (most parents were college educated, many moms didn't work so could assist us, parents had expectations that their children would succeed, etc).  The last year my school was rezoned and I ended up with kids from a very different world - one that I was ill equipped to deal with. Many of the kids had parents who didn't care about their child's education or behavior, students didn't want to work/learn, and I even had a few kids in gangs.  Can you image kids in gangs in the 6th grade? I learned basic lessons about poverty that year that I never would've dreamed of.  Of course, there were some good kids in the bunch, but by that time I was burned out. My job became more disciplinarian than teacher, and I really started disliking everything about the job.  

My advice is to go in with your eyes wide open and realize that school districts are very political places.  I didn't know anyone in a union at the time, and the district I was in was pretty conservative, so I didn't have to worry about things we read about from the DUmmie teachers over at DU.  I never want to go back.  Honestly, I couldn't afford to financially.  My degree has actually served me well, although I now work in technical sales.  I'm still teaching - it's just the age has changed and no one is forced to listen to me.

[chitownchica]

For healthcare admin....you might be able to test out of some stuff, just on practical experience.

Have you thought about going into radiology sales? I have a friend who is around my age, and had been an x-ray tech since she was really young. She had gone on to get her Bachelors, and all the certs possible over almost 30 years. She stayed at UT Hospital until she had her 30 years in, and now sells for a company that sells either equipment or supplies(I'm not sure which)....she travels alot, works about the same hours, makes really good money, and isn't stuck in the hospital. She wanted a change, and by going to work for this company, she had the knowledge that the company wanted.

DebK- your friend's lifestyle sounds a lot like mine. I'm a pre-sales tech consultant for a software company. My job entails demoing software, meeting with customers, and doing all the technical work up to the sale of the product.  The difference with me is I'm not the actual sales rep (although I'm in the sales org and get those benefits). There are many great sales related jobs that pay well. I would think the medical field would have a variety of areas to focus on - including medical devices, software, etc.

[chitownchica]

a few of my friends did that....it requires a lot of traveling...that's not what I want with a young child at home.

When I worked for an inside sales team, I rarely traveled.  I don't have children, but if I did, I would feel the same way you do.  Good luck with your decision!

[Hawkgirl]

I graduated with an education degree in 91 and got a job teaching 6th grade in a Dallas suburb. I was young and had lots of energy back then .  I enjoyed it for 3 years, was so/so the 4th year, and by the 5th year I HATED it.  We went from being a school that had mainly middle to upper middle income students, and with that type of socioeconomic status comes many benefits for teachers (most parents were college educated, many moms didn't work so could assist us, parents had expectations that their children would succeed, etc).  The last year my school was rezoned and I ended up with kids from a very different world - one that I was ill equipped to deal with. Many of the kids had parents who didn't care about their child's education or behavior, students didn't want to work/learn, and I even had a few kids in gangs.  Can you image kids in gangs in the 6th grade? I learned basic lessons about poverty that year that I never would've dreamed of.  Of course, there were some good kids in the bunch, but by that time I was burned out. My job became more disciplinarian than teacher, and I really started disliking everything about the job.  

My advice is to go in with your eyes wide open and realize that school districts are very political places.  I didn't know anyone in a union at the time, and the district I was in was pretty conservative, so I didn't have to worry about things we read about from the DUmmie teachers over at DU.  I never want to go back.  Honestly, I couldn't afford to financially.  My degree has actually served me well, although I now work in technical sales.  I'm still teaching - it's just the age has changed and no one is forced to listen to me.

Thanks for sharing your experience.  The point you brought up is a good one. 

[chitownchica]

Thanks for sharing your experience.  The point you brought up is a good one. 

You are very welcome