College or not?

[paysensmom]

Any more guidance or things to think about?

 

[DawnM]

Is it double comparing apples to apples? In other words a teacher with 10 years of experience literally earns half of what a SP makes with 10 years of experience? Have you actually seen the salary schedules?

I have only worked in two states, but neither of them had anywhere near double the salary for a Speech Pathologist. It was more like 20%-25% more.

Dawn

The pay is double a teachers salary. I have talked to the speech pathologist at my school where I work. I talk to her every week actually! I work at a title one school. Very low income families. I think 95% of the students receive free lunch!
Lots of jobs in this field. As I was applying for teaching jobs online this summer, there was a speech opening at about every other school.

 

[eliza61]

I am currently a special education teacher at an elementary school. My BA is in psychology. I did the alternative certification program and at the end of this school year will have my teaching certificate.

I have some very hard choices to make and it will have a big impact on our BUDGET!!

1. I could continue teaching... OR do what I really want to do

2. I really want to go back to school and get my Masters in Communication and learning disorders (speech pathology). It would quit working after this school year and start full- time college courses for the next three years to include summers. This would put us in about 14,000 in debt for student loans.

We can afford for me to stop working right now. My husband will retire in June of 2013 from the Navy and I would graduate in May of 2013.
Is that a recipe for disaster? No job times TWO?
I want to go before I dont want to go anymore. Does that make sense?

What would you do?

Could you investigate going part time until the economy turns around? I'm going back to school to explore a passion. I'm currently working at a job that I don't like but it's high paying. I already have a tuition bill with my son who is a full time position so I can't quit.

Right now, I don't think I'd feel comfortable out of work.

 

[ekatiel]

I'll throw in my two cents here. Here in Houston, there is such a shortage of speech pathologists that nearly every district has "speech therapy assistants". I'm not sure what pay scale they are on, but I know that they are not full-fledged speech pathologists. Many of them are working as speech therapy assistants and going to school to get their master's in speech pathology. I'm guessing that the districts are also willing to pay for the degree as long as they'll continue to work in the district after they graduate. I would check into some local districts and see what's available. I used to teach in Northside in San Antonio and I know that they were paying for Master's in technology for many teachers at the time (this was about 7 years ago). Who knows what they're paying for now?! Anyhow, I would check out Northside, Northeast, and even SAISD and see if they have any programs where they would hire you as a therapy assistant and then pay for your school. Also, do you owe your district some time after completing the alternative certification program? Usually districts make you stay with them for a few years after the program is complete, or you have to pay back the education $$$ they gave you. Jsut some things to think about. --Katie

 

[paysensmom]

I'll throw in my two cents here. Here in Houston, there is such a shortage of speech pathologists that nearly every district has "speech therapy assistants". I'm not sure what pay scale they are on, but I know that they are not full-fledged speech pathologists. Many of them are working as speech therapy assistants and going to school to get their master's in speech pathology. I'm guessing that the districts are also willing to pay for the degree as long as they'll continue to work in the district after they graduate. I would check into some local districts and see what's available. I used to teach in Northside in San Antonio and I know that they were paying for Master's in technology for many teachers at the time (this was about 7 years ago). Who knows what they're paying for now?! Anyhow, I would check out Northside, Northeast, and even SAISD and see if they have any programs where they would hire you as a therapy assistant and then pay for your school. Also, do you owe your district some time after completing the alternative certification program? Usually districts make you stay with them for a few years after the program is complete, or you have to pay back the education $$$ they gave you. Jsut some things to think about. --Katie

I don't have to pay anything back. I didn't get any education money from the school and I don't owe them time. Thank goodness! I paid for the alternative certification program myself. We have a house in the SCUC school district, so I may talk to them. That is a good idea, thanks! Or I would LOVE to work at the district I work at now in San Angelo. I am going to ask them about it. They are in search of speech pathologists! Maybe that will help me out. Thanks!

 

[hentob]

I do like teaching, but would reallly like to do speech!

Then go for it! The demand for speech pathologists is high and it keeps growing. You will have many job opportunities

I have a ten year old son with a communcation disorder (semantic pragmatic language disorder) and we have had wonderful speech pathologists throughout the years I have admired each one for what they have done for my child.

Great career path Good luck