SAHM starting back to work on Thurs... NERVOUS!

[disneyjunkie]

I was a teachers aide for a while for the very same reason. Nowadays due to NCLB, all teachers aides need a degree or 60 college credits.

That varies from system to system.

NYC only requires a high school diploma.
Right now a bilingual person with a high school diploma will get hired as an aide before a non-bilingual person with a degree.

 

[Cindy B]

That varies from system to system.

NYC only requires a high school diploma.
Right now a bilingual person with a high school diploma will get hired as an aide before a non-bilingual person with a degree.

Wow! In my district in NJ-- they are very strict with that requirement. No college experience, no job. I've seen this requirement in MOST southern NJ school system. I've seen many retired teachers become aides.

How does that comply with NCLB? How does the person without the degree become "highly qualified" as per national guidelines? I know some aides were taking the Praxis I or a learning portfolio because they were "grandfathered" in, but now all aides have to have the educational background. No degree, no job.

 

[jlb]

I think this may vary district to district in NJ or may be wording in the contract. I know districts that do not require the college experience and some districts require a full degree. I have never heard of classroom aids needing to be highly qualified, for they are not licensed to teach.

Remember NJ also hires alternate route teachers, people who have a college degree but not in education.

Good Luck.

 

[chip91]

I was a SAHM for 8.5 years, my youngest went to Kindergarten all day this year & I got a job 1/2 days at the school in the pre-k room, it's great but the worst part is when my youngest got strep, I had to take off of work; which I didn't really want to do, but didn't have anyone to watch her, the great part is that I'm just an aide, so any days my kids have off so do I, including summer vacation!

Hoping for full time next year, I could use ANY EXTRA MONEY, all of mine is going towards DEBT!!

Chip

 

[Cindy B]

I think this may vary district to district in NJ or may be wording in the contract. I know districts that do not require the college experience and some districts require a full degree. I have never heard of classroom aids needing to be highly qualified, for they are not licensed to teach.

Remember NJ also hires alternate route teachers, people who have a college degree but not in education.

Good Luck.

In my district they will NOT hire alternate route teachers. Many districts in NJ are following suit and will not hire any alternate route teachers because they do not have teaching experience. I actually had a superintendent tell me that he will not hire alternate route students.

My district and many others in S. Jersey requires all staff to be highly qualified. Staff included aides and teachers. Even the janitorial services need to have black seal licenses (although that is not required by NCLB--just the district requirement).

 

[TAEMom]

I went back to work this year, when my youngest son started first grade, after 12 yrs as a SAHM. I'm teaching preschool, so I don't need to leave for work until after my kids leave and I usually get home before my oldest kids do. That's part of the reason I chose not to go back to teaching elementary school - I would not have felt good about my oldest two being home alone every day after school and they're too old for sitters. My kids were initially very bothered that I was going back to work (partly b/c I let them know that they were going to be more responsible for helping around the house now) and generally made me feel very sad about it, but they have adjusted. They still don't like it when I have meetings in the evening, or Open Houses, etc though. It also takes time on weekends, etc for me to get my planning done, although that will be better in years to come.

I'll be honest, I do feel more rushed to get things done and I found holiday shopping especially tough. However, I also know that I am much more organized when I am busy, so it just means that I waste a lot less time. I find myself feeling very jealous that many of my friends have kids even older than mine, yet they don't work, so they have plenty of time for working out, lunches together, etc. They seem to regard my working as more of a hobby and seem annoyed when it's difficult for me to get together with them.

BUT, there are many, many positives. While I loved staying home, I LOVE being a teacher and feeling somewhat professional every day. I love that I have stories to tell my family at dinner that aren't just neighborhood gossip, and that I have a life of my own. I totally underestimated how nice that feeling would be! I love my students and I love having coworkers. And in six short years, when my older kids go to college, hopefully, having a life outside of my kids will ease that transition a bit. I will also have the satisfaction of knowing that I helped pay for their college. We have never been able to save anything for their college, but now, we are putting most of what I earn (which isn't much!) into college funds.

So, yes, I totally understand why you would feel a little panicky about going back to work. But, I think if you give it a little time, you may find it very rewarding and your family will adjust easily. Good Luck!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Wow! In my district in NJ-- they are very strict with that requirement. No college experience, no job. I've seen this requirement in MOST southern NJ school system. I've seen many retired teachers become aides.

How does that comply with NCLB? How does the person without the degree become "highly qualified" as per national guidelines? I know some aides were taking the Praxis I or a learning portfolio because they were "grandfathered" in, but now all aides have to have the educational background. No degree, no job.

You're not required to have any college experience to be a para(aide). Of course the more college credits you have, the higher your salary will be.


There's talk that they may soon require some college course for paras. Right now there's a freeze on hiring regular paras, but bilinguals are in high demand.


Here's a link to the para pay scale.

http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres...1A87356967F/0/noncomtitles_forweb12_11_07.pdf

 

[Loafmastermom]

I am feeling ya! I have been a SAHM for almost 9 years. During that time, I got my degree. Now I am a new grad at 37! However, my resume is kind of dry because all I have are a couple of internships. My previous job before DS was born was the Air Force. I am barely getting interviews and no offers. Hubby is an engineer with great benefits, but we need the additional income to pay off debt. If it wasn't for the small inheritence check he received last month, we wouldn't be going to Disney this month, that's for sure!

 

[qtwns]

I just did the same thing...went back to teaching after staying home 8 years to raise my boys. I sobbed like a baby when I got hired at my new school. I felt like my life was over...the end of an era...how would my boys surivive without me home (even though they are all in school all day)
It took a while to get over the initial shock for all of us. But everything has a wonderful way of always working out. My DH has been able to work from home (telecommute), so he is home when the boys get home. I have most of the same days off that they do, and I have gotten pretty good at leaving school at school and coming home to be just mom.

I know how scary this is for you, but you'll come through beatifully!

Good luck!

 

[Cindy B]

You're not required to have any college experience to be a para(aide). Of course the more college credits you have, the higher your salary will be.


There's talk that they may soon require some college course for paras. Right now there's a freeze on hiring regular paras, but bilinguals are in high demand.


Here's a link to the para pay scale.

http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres...1A87356967F/0/noncomtitles_forweb12_11_07.pdf

Wow.. thats really different. The districts around here (southern nj) will not pay more if you have a degree. Maybe it's because you need to have a degree as a minimum requirement?

If you were grandfathered in (the old ladies with 20 years in the classroom), you had to take the Praxis I or do a portfolio. Any new hires need to have an associates and a substitute certificate.

Thats funny how the requirements are so different.

 

[zalansky]

HUGS TO YOU!!! You'll be just fine, I know its got to be scary because I've been home only two years this month. I cried when I quit my job (I was 37 yo) and it took some adjustment, but after two years I love being home and cherish these days when my kids are young.

I worry what I will do in a few years when they are both at school. We need extra money too, and I need to start contributing to a 401k again.

Its very scary - but we're all pulling for you. Let us know how it goes!

 

[sk!mom]

Oh, boy, I'm feeling ya. DH told me a couple of weeks ago I'm going to have to go back to work next year. I DO NOT WANT TO GO! I was 36 and 39 when I had my babies--felt like I had done the working thing and don't want to go back to that mess. Waited so long to have kids and I'm just not ready to leave them. But we are making it harder and harder in this country for moms to stay at home with their children and our big thing, as DH is self employed, is health insurance. As in, we have NONE. And can't afford it. I've been trying to tell him it's not a guarantee that any place I work will even offer it, but he thinks they will. Bad thing is, I've been out of the work place 7 years, before that I worked three years running my father's businesses (who has since sold out) so that leaves me 10 years out of the real work force (read: computer skills have been outpaced) and with no college degree and over a certain age and no longer cute and skinny and in a no-jobs-but-Wal-mart very small town, let's just say it ain't going to be easy to find one. Probably talking a 30 mile commuter which means bus for the kids and day care after school and 5:30-6 getting home. It makes my stomach hurt to even think about not taking my kids to school (they are now 6 & 4) or being there when they get home to hear about their day and start homework and then have to start supper, homework, baths--it just seems like in my mind I will never get to have any real time with them that isn't rushed or stressed. I know millions of moms are doing it every day-and doing it well-but it just doesn't seem like something I will do well. Plus, worrying about being a good employee vs. good mom when I need to stay home with them sick--do you send them to school or take a chance of being in trouble at work? Blech. I JUST WANT TO BE A MOM!!!

I've read the Walmart thread, the financial difficulty thread, the health insurance thread and it has all made me terribly pessimistic here on the precipice of a new year. Don't know where the country is heading but it sure doesn't seem like up. As liberal politically and socially as I am, I think I long for the days when moms stayed home (and weren't looked down on for doing so) and dads were able to make enough at their jobs for them to so where they were loyal to companies and companies were loyal to them. That is probably very rose-colored-glasses-ish, but that is just the way I'm feeling lately.

Start applying for jobs with the school district that your children will go to. Aide jobs, cafeteria jobs, office jobs, in my district, all qualify for health insurance. You might not make a lot above that but if it is your main concern then it would cover that plus some. The additional perk is that you would be off when the kids are off and off early in the afternoon.

I have to say that it would be worth it to me to provide health insurance for my family. I'd be scared without it.

 

[jlb]

Wow.. thats really different. The districts around here (southern nj) will not pay more if you have a degree. Maybe it's because you need to have a degree as a minimum requirement?

If you were grandfathered in (the old ladies with 20 years in the classroom), you had to take the Praxis I or do a portfolio. Any new hires need to have an associates and a substitute certificate.

Thats funny how the requirements are so different.

I live in South Jersey and work in education, they can not hold aids to NCLB at this point because there is no licensing process. It is a district to district choice as is how most things run in NJ. NJ is district based, that gives the district the decision and requirements of what they think is right for said district.

There are many fine districts that will take alternate route, and some great districts that will hire classroom aids and personal aids without a college degree.

The matrix for highly qualified can not even be applied to a non-education major, unless they teach a specified area (math, science), so you can not hold someone with 60 credits to the same matrix. There is a push to have educational requirements for para-professionals, but right now in NJ they have kept it low key and left it up to the district.

The Praxis is a district requirement for aids, not a state. Praxis is for teachers looking to get their license in a particular state. Not all districts require this for aids.

 

[paper1225]

I have been working for 1 1/2 months after being a stay at home mom for the last 11 years.
I went back to a 100% different career after spending the last 6 years slowly going to school.
I need to start by saying that I absolutely LOVED being a stay at home mom, but for financial reasons needed to go back. DD13 starts High school in Fall 08, and we are not financially ready for the tuition.
We planned out all of this, but nothing could make me ready for the ups and downs I have felt.
There have been issues with dad taking the kids to school, and I have heard about it from both sides, but by him changing his hours to take them in-I am able to be at school to pick them up every day.
If you are anything like me, some days will be good.....others will have you going nuts! But let me tell you, when my paycheck comes in........it is soooooo nice!
Good luck, you can do it and you will be fine!

 

[Irish9697]

You can do it!! But, I can totally relate to your nerves and worries. I went back to work in Jan. 07 after 7 years as a SAHM. I was forced to due to divorce (something else that was forced on me, but...who's counting?), so it was quite a change in circumstances for the kids and me. They are with me 95% of the time, but thankfully, I have an employer who is totally dedicated to advancing my career while also being totally accomodating to my needs as a single mom to 2 school aged kids. I get to be at home with no penalty on days their school is closed (like now on Xmas break!) or sick days, I can go on field trips and to school programs. Sure, getting everything else done can be stressful, but we make it work. With smart budgeting this year, I've managed to save 3 months worth of expenses, stay debt free (outside of the mortgage and car--which will be soon to go), and go on not one, not two, not three, but four trips (Orlando to Seaworld and Universal in March, the beach in June, Las Vegas in August, and Disney in October).

So, while I'd still love to be home. I can't complain. And, I definitely feel like I'm totally "back" skill-wise at work (I'm a CPA), so it's all good.

Best of luck! We're all rooting for you!!

 

[StephMK]

Bumping this back up to see how it went. Also thinking about returning to work and wondered how you liked it, was it a career you'd had pre-kids?

Hope you had a great start!

 

[Harvest02]

I have been there as well!!! First of all, good luck to you in your new venture! Everything will be fine I am sure! I was a stay at home mom for 9 years(after doing administrative assistant work before I had kids), but started substitute teaching last year when my youngest started 1st grade. I absolutely LOVE it! I never thought I would like it that much, so now am trying to pursue a Transition to Teaching license so that I can be a full-time teacher. I love being on their schedule for the sub jobs, and am off when they are. Pay isn't bad either! Let us know how everything goes!

 

[paper1225]

how many credit hours do you need to have to be a substitute? Also, how much does it usually pay??

 

[paper1225]

oops sorry double post

 

[disneyjunkie]

how many credit hours do you need to have to be a substitute? Also, how much does it usually pay??

Like everything else, I'm sure this varies from system to system. In NYC, substitute teachers have to have a Bachelor’s degree. The salary is $147.59 per day.

The salary for a substitute para is $123.44 per day.