I'm 38 - going back to school!! Scared!!

[Harvest02]

OK, I have been substitute teaching for a year and a half. I am trying to get into the Transition to Teaching program at a local college. I can get in if I take about 3 elective classes since I did not meet the requirements(I need 1 math class and 2 history). I guess for elementary you have to have so many credit hours in English, Science, Math and Social Studies. The elective classes are all online. Each class is $215 a credit hour(so about $700 a class). Then....I still have to pay for the Transition to Teaching program which is about $10,000!!!! I will be done in like 2 1/2 years, so looking at it that way my DH says it is not that much money. I am just wondering how we are going to swing it with me paying for school. Has anyone else ever been in this situation, and how did you do it? My DH makes pretty decent money, so not sure if I should even apply for financial aide!!! What do you all think???

 

[Cindy B]

I'm doing it!

I'm 36 right now and I have been going to school part time for three years and full time school (no working) this past year. I've been subbing for four years!

I will graduate in May with an Elementary Education/Writing Art/Special Education majors. My school requires a double major in accordance to NCLB requirements. When I graduate, I will have enough coursework to be certified to teach elementary K-5, Special Ed K-12, Middle School Language Arts and Middle School Social Studies.

It's a lot of work-- I'm not going to lie to you. Its a bit of a strain financially too, but I got a small scholarship which helped with some expenses and I am taking out a loan for the rest. I know this sounds stupid, but make sure this Transition to Teachers program is accredited and NOT an alternate route. Many schools near me in the Northeast will NOT hire an alternate route student because they do not do student teaching. Many districts in my state won't even issue an emergency certification either.

My university has strict requirements for the college of education-- you need to keep a 3.5 GPA at all times There are many many many projects. Many projects are an absoluete joke as well.

I also have to have a free schedule for practicums--which are observation days in other peoples classrooms--that is in addition to my coursework days.

 

[momoftwins]

I would hope that every person who can do, it go back to school. A degree is something no one can take from you. One can never tell where life may lead them.


I started college when I was 32. I was working full-time, going through fertility treatments, finally pregnant with twins, had the twins and still going to school at night. I graduated the top of my class from Bryant University in Rhode Island with a BS in Finance.

It is all a matter of perserverance. All of my life I had wanted to go to college.

So, best of wishes to you and to everyone else on these boards who is working their butt off to do a little better in life

 

[rgrgirl]

I did something similiar to what you are talking about. In Ga. I was able to be hired as a teacher under a provisional certificaiton. Luckily I was able to teah and go to school at the same time or I would not have been able to afford it. All my classes were online and through the University of GA (go dawgs). Like CIndy B mentioned, make sure your program is accredited and the school you plan to teach at will accept it. I got my ceritfication in SpEd. An area where teachers are really needed in GA. The $10,000 is a lot to pay just for the program. I did not have to do that, I am not sure that I would have. YOu pay that and your classes??? All I had to pay was for the classes that were not cheap.
As far as taking the classes online, at first I hated it, I felt like I was not learning anything from it. I finally came to the realization that what I really needed to know I would learn while teaching or from other more experienced teachers. Since I was teaching, I did not have to do any student teaching, I had to be observed and video myself teaching.
Is there anyway that our school the you sub at can help pay for the program. Some schools will do that if they need teachers. Hope this helps. I did this program and then after four years, I am not teaching anymore. Those kids can be bad.

 

[lalagrace]

as an adult, it is hard, both from the perspective of juggleing school and family and possibly working part time, but it is so worth it! The loans I would not worry about too much. its for a good reason, and as a teacher you'll be making about 3 times that per year.
good luck!

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Holy cow, are you really sure that you have to pay that sum to do a transition to teaching program? I had to pay like $100 to apply for my temporary certificate from the state, and then I'll have to take 3 classes w/in 3 years of teaching. They don't even run $1000 total and there is a $1000/year tuition tax credit. The only other thing I think I have to pay for is the state teacher's exam, but that's under $200 if memory serves me. What you are paying just doesn't sound right for one of these programs. I'm in FL if it makes a difference.

 

[mrsklamc]

Are you going to IUPUI?

Have you looked at the program at Indiana Wesleyan? A friend of mine is doing that one and she only has to go to class on Saturdays for a year-- a lot of homework though.

 

[Harvest02]

Are you going to IUPUI?

Have you looked at the program at Indiana Wesleyan? A friend of mine is doing that one and she only has to go to class on Saturdays for a year-- a lot of homework though.

I actually have not looked into IUPUI yet, only because I would have to drive all the way downtown for the classes(Indiana Wesleyan has a campus only 15 minutes from my house). Indiana Wesleyan, like you said, is on Saturdays. That is the one that I would do once I get done with these electives.

 

[Harvest02]

Holy cow, are you really sure that you have to pay that sum to do a transition to teaching program? I had to pay like $100 to apply for my temporary certificate from the state, and then I'll have to take 3 classes w/in 3 years of teaching. They don't even run $1000 total and there is a $1000/year tuition tax credit. The only other thing I think I have to pay for is the state teacher's exam, but that's under $200 if memory serves me. What you are paying just doesn't sound right for one of these programs. I'm in FL if it makes a difference.

Yes, I am sure it is that much. Most of the Transition to Teaching programs here in Indiana are anywhere from $8000 to $10000, but you get done in 18-24 months. 2 years tops! I hate that school is so expensive, but I know it would be money well spent if I can make $30000 a year! I know it will be hard work, but I don't want to sit in an office all day. I really enjoy kids.

 

[dbarker]

Congrats on going back to school.

Apply for financial aid. Even if you think you do not qualify. It never hurts to ask. Also, look into scholarships. Apply for each and every scholarship you might qualify for no matter how small. Every little bit helps.

Good luck.

 

[grlpwrd]

Good for you! I have 7 more classes at my community college and then I need to take 19 more classes at a local university to get my BS in finance. I have a master list and when I am done with one class I just scratch it off. lol

Definitely apply for financial aid, especially because of your field. There may be money because of the need to find teachers. Every little bit really does help.

Yes, it is a lot of work, that's for sure, but if your time management is great then you'll be one step ahead.

By the way, I just found out 2 classmates are from Hawaii (who would have thought!) and then I find out that one of the mom's of my Girl Scouts is in my class. (lol)

Good luck to you!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Congrats. I am going back to school to become a teacher but I started at the bottom. There is financial aid to be had. There is a certain amount set up as long as you are in a degree program, that does not depend on income or credit. I didn't think I would need it but I soon found out that school (besides tuition) can nickel and dime you to death.

 

[mommy2aprincess4]

congrats! i went back last january after a 10 year break at 34. I was totally shocked when almost all of my credits transfered, so I have a year and a half left (going for teaching as well). Apply for financial aid. My DH makes good money but I still got enough aid to cover tuition and books. Also, check around for scholarships. I just recently got a returning student scholarship for older students with more than 5 years between colleges, and it covers my tuition.

Feeling scared is normal but you are doing something so amazing for yourself!

 

[branv]

I went back to school at 32. I also was concerned about DH making too much for me to qualify, especially since with no children, our expenses would be considered low. When I filled out the FAFSA, it calculated that the amount we should be able to afford to pay out of pocket for my tuition each year was more than my school would cost. (Though personally I found the amount they though we could "afford" to be absolutely laughable). However, I still managed to qualify for the Stafford, and a subsidized one at that (from what my FAO told me, most people can qualify assuming they don't have too many older loans, defaults, etc. But the difference may be whether the govt will pay their interest for them while they're in school, or whether the student will have to).

Also, the repayment schedule is very flexible: Income adjusted, 10-15 year repayment plans, graduated, etc. We started out with a longer payment plan until such time as I find a full-time job, with a plan to pay it off considerably earlier than that.

Just remember -- if you have previous student loans, they will only lend you so much towards your first bachelors.

Also, have you checked to see if your state has a program that will reimburse your tuition if you work so many years at an shortage/underpriviliged school/subject?

BTW: it will be a lot better than you think. After going back to school I always joked that education was wasted on the young I was a terrible student the first time around, but this time I rocked! Yet I would say 80% of my classmates could have cared less, complained nonstop, made excuses then looked for last minute reprieves...yep, much like me at their age. I admit it made me feel old. Wiser...but old.

 

[Shmu]

I have to post on this thread and say congrats to everyone for going back and seeking that education. This is encouraging to me. I too am going back to college this summer. I'll be 41. I am going to get my teaching degree as a lot of you are on this thread. I LOVE to teach. I love it so much I use to tell my husband that I would do it for free. Well, (lol), I have. For the past 14 years I have been homeschooling my children. This summer, I will have the opportunity to go back and finish my teaching degree. I stopped going to college when I had my DS.

Here is a story that I hope encourages all of you as it has always encouraged me. I have a great aunt who started going to college at 50. She received her teaching degree and then went to teach in the public school system in a very poor area in our state. She didn't really need the money so she used her salary to set up savings accounts for her students. She told them that if they graduated, the money was theirs to help them further their education.

 

[heartsy77]

It's great you are going back to school; if I can do it anybody can! I never liked school I nearly finished high school however; I love love college! It has been hard working full time, 4 kids and full time college but it is so worth it! I am half way through my AAS degree in Social Work after that it is on to my Bachelor's !

 

[disneydebi]

I'm doing it too! And I'm really "old" (43).
I started a grad program a little over a year ago in MA. It was a 2 year licensing program. Then of course we moved out of state...to TN. So I'm enrolled in a new program here (of course, Grad programs don't like to accept transfer credits, so I have to pretty much start from ground zero!). Not to mention taking all new Teacher exams (MA of course had to have their own tests - they don't use the Praxis exams that most of the country use).

It will be worth it when it's done... I'm planning on starting subbing soon - which scares me. Any pointers from current subs welcome (elementary!)
eek...

 

[branv]

What cracks me up most about this thread are the teachers admitting how nervous they were starting out as a teacher. As a kid I never would have imagined my teacher was nervous. Of course it's a good thing they never showed it...you know how kids will jump on weakness like flies on a carrion!

 

[luvmy2sams]

Wow! There are lots of us out there!

I'll be 36 in December and am returning to college in January to...surprise!...get my teaching degree. I've got a business degree, but going back into accounting after spending the last 9 years home with my babies just isn't right for me. DH and I tossed around the alternative certification program our state offers, but after talking to lots of education professionals, I've decided to suck it up and spend the next 1.5 years taking classes needed to earn my BS Elementary Education degree.

I'm starting slow with only 6 hours and a seminar in January, then I'll take one class over the summer and start with a full load when DS4 starts kindergarten next August.

I'm scared and excited all at the same time. My program has a heavy focus on field experience, so I'll be required to log observation hours during my first semester. I can't wait to get to work!

Good luck to all of us who are taking that big step!

 

[RumpleMom]

A few tips from an experienced K-8 sub. I love my job and have been doing it many years. I travel between 10 schools in one district. My schedule is usually filled with future requests and very few last minute jobs.

Dress professionally- always! The older the kids, the more formal my outfit, it projects an image of authority.

Arrive early and use every minute to read the lesson plans and locate materials for the entire day.

Enter the building with a smile on your face, greet the neighboring classroom teachers, but don't take up their time with chatter; they are busy.

Pack your lunch and eat in the teacher's room, so you will get to know all of the teachers.

Check all of the papers that the students completed that day, yes, it might take an extra amount of time past your work day, but do it anyway. You will be asked to come back!

Follow the lesson plan as written.

Use your free period to check papers or if none, read as many stories in the reading book as you can. You just might be teaching that story in the future.

Learn as many of the kids names as possible, and remember them. Knowing a student's name is invaluable, use the seating chart to help. If you have a difficult student, being able to use their name really helps.

Ask to attend In-service programs- you won't get paid, but it shows you are willing to learn to improve the quality of your work.

These things have helped me enjoy subbing, and to be able to work as much as, in addition to, where I choose to work.