What else can I do with a teaching degree?

[Teacher03]

Does anyone have any ideas as to what I could do with a teaching degree (bachelor's in Early Childhood Education) besides teaching? I love teaching and teach in a Catholic school. The pay is about half of what I would be earning in a public school. I have tried (half-heartedly) to get a job at a public school, but there just aren't teaching jobs in my area. So here's the dilemma. I am required by my state to get a master's degree by the year 2016 in order to renew my license. I can't afford it, we still have two children in college (one graduated in 2006). I will not get paid more for getting my masters. So after being torn about it and having a long discussion with my husband, I have decided not to get my masters degree. I know I could sub and make about what (or more) what I am making now, but any ideas of what else I could do ?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Corporate training?

 

[barkley]

there were lots of us in social services with teaching degrees. we worked in the jobs that did'nt require msw's. the teaching skills transferred well and our department LOVED to hire former teachers. a side benefit is that most government agencies have at least partial employee education reimbursement programs so if you want to take some classes towards that masters you might be able to do it that route.

do you have any state colleges or universities near you? if so you might check to see if their childcare centers (or any department) are hiring-one of the best perks of being a university employee can be free tuition which would enable you to get your masters part time at no cost (one of my neighbors just got their degree because our local university offers staff tuition for $5 a unit they just have to wait for the first day of any class to ensure it has'nt reached it's max enrollment then sign up).

 

[MM27]

Consultant jobs?

My district uses Everyday Math and we have a consultant that comes in about once every month or two for each school. She makes more per year than I do from my district alone. And believe me, she is NOT an expert on EDM at all. There have been times when we were at workshops that she was running where we had to explain things to her that she was really there to explain to us. I think this lady only taught EDM for a couple of years.

The downside is, there is a lot of travel involved. If you find a job like this in your area it's not bad, but this lady is from Pittsburgh and covers PA and many areas of NJ.

 

[Linzybrooke]

Your state requires you to get a masters degree to renew your license? Mind me asking where you live?

What about trying to get on with a daycare school program?

 

[comicguy]

Have you considered an on-line masters degree? Can been done in just under two years (from what I understand) and is usually a good share cheaper than actually attending a "brick and mortar" school

Also what about student loans? I know not always the best option but if you get out from the Catholic school you will be paid according to the extra credits you have earned.

As an FYI, I am currently at Masters + 6 credits, I can get a bump in pay with another 3 credits and every nine afterwards (in my district that bump equals about 1200 extra per year, so it pays for itself over a short time period). A lot of Public schools are set up this way. Also consider 2016 is a ways off, If you did one class each sememster plus a summer class you should be able to get in under the wire.(each class would be about 1000 + fees (I know scary, I went back to school as an older adult to get my teaching degree)

Also check with your state regs. Sometimes non-public schools do not have to follow certification rules (not entirely sure why?)

 

[lovetoscrap]

I have the same degree. When I got burned out with teaching I went to a Temp Agency. After a few placements I got a great long term assignment as a Corporate Librarian. It was a temp to hire position and would have been great to stay (instead I decided to start my family and become a SAHM).

I was convinced that there was nothing that I could do with an ECE degree but there are tons of jobs that just require a Bachelor's degree. It may take a while to find the right fit for you but just keep at it!

I really hate the Master's requirement. It only looks good on paper and has no bearing on how good of a teacher you are. It is expensive to get but makes us no more money. In fact one of the reasons that I left teaching when I did was because they were requiring I work toward my Masters at that time, but as a fairly new teacher there was no way I would have been able to be hired at a Masters paygrade when I moved (we knew we would be moving).

You might look for librarian positions too--I would love to be a Children's librarian when I go back to work. Many require a Library Science degree, but some don't.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Only about 15% of Americans work in the field in which they received their degree. You can do anything that you want to do...

 

[Inigo]

I have a masters' degree in education (elementary, MS Science & SS, all-grade Reading), and I'm a juvenile probation officer. I love my job. It combines law enforcement, education, and social work all in one. I fell into this job by accident, but I think it was fate shining on me. I am exactly where I should be.

 

[DawnM]

Do you want to teach? I guess that is where I would start. You say you have tried half heartedly to get a job in a public school.....is this because you really don't want one or because you are discouraged by the lack of available jobs?

I am a teacher (or was before I decided to stay at home for a while). I do have MAs (2 of them, but that is a whole different story and not because it was required).

IF you really wanted to teach, I have a few suggestions. I don't know what age group you are credentialed it (I am secondary), but you might think about starting your MA in a field that is highly needed and easier to get a job in. ESL, any area of Special Education, Math, etc.....as you will more likely get a job with those, even if it is just to get your foot in the door and you really prefer the other area you teach. I have an MA in TESOL (ESL) and in School Counseling. I prefer counseling, but there is a glut on the market of school counselors, so I am very thankful for my ESL training as it will get me a job if I really need one. I also have credentials in English and History, but those too are harder to find.

May think of more ideas later, but the power is about to go off so the electrician can work on our power.

Dawn

 

[Teacher03]

Your state requires you to get a masters degree to renew your license? Mind me asking where you live?

What about trying to get on with a daycare school program?

I live in Ohio. I graduated in 2004 and am required to have a masters by the time I need to renew my second five year.

I do love teaching, and I love where I am at. Many of us have tried to get into a public school (just for better pay), but we haven't had any luck. There are very few jobs in my area. I simply can't afford to put any more money into college, online or otherwise. It would take me years to make up what I put into it, and I am 46 now. By the time my youngest graduates from college, my husband and I will have shelled out over $140,000 for college. Just can't do it anymore, and to be honest, I don't want to. No more debt, that's my motto!

I have thought about preschool, I have done that in the past. I like the idea of being a consultant, so that's a thought. Thanks everyone, you have given me some ideas to think about.

 

[disykat]

Since you teach at a private school, can they keep you on if you lose your license? I would think if your school doesn't pay much there must be other teachers there that are having this issue as well?

 

[ljc527]

I too live in Ohio and am wondering what else to do with teaching degree. I spent four years in a charter school, and there's no chance of getting a job in public school. I also cannot afford to get my master's.

It's not that I don't want to teach, it's that after looking HARD for over a year and a half, I've realized it's becoming nearly impossible.

 

[golfgal]

Is there anything they can do at a parish level to help? I know that at our kids' old school the parents got tired of the turnover and voted to increase salaries to keep teachers in the school-which also meant an increase in tuition. They try to stay within 90% of the public school pay. I would think that if they found out that so many of their teachers would be leaving because of the Master's rule they would try to find a way to help. Maybe you can get your fellow teachers together and just bring this issue to the attention of the Home and School board or whatever your Parent organization is.

 

[sbell111]

I know some former teachers who do corporate training, SAT prep, and even teach traffic school.

 

[kristilew]

I too have an MEd, and worked in other fields. I was an assistant manager with a retail store for a few years - making much more than I made teaching in public school. I loved it and got to use my skills in training associates (not to mention use those bulletin board skills in making store displays, lol)

Then I was recruited to work for a national nonprofit org as a director, a job that required me to give presentations and teach classes in a very wide variety of settings, and despite being a nonprofit, also paid more than teaching. Loved that job too.

I think it is sad that it is so hard to earn a real living as a teacher, when our kids so need dedicated people in this field. I also think if your state has that requirement about getting a masters, they ought to have a financial aid program to help everyone pay for it. It sounds like they are trying to select for teachers who are independently wealthy

Here in NC, there is a teaching fellows program that does pay for advanced schooling, with the caveat that you then continue to teach. I wonder if Ohio has anything like that?

 

[teacherlisa1978]

What about private tutoring? I do that in the summers for a few kids but lots of them would pay for it during the school year too. I taught first grade for 7 years, and now am a reading specialist at my parochial school. I have a Master's in Ed. I charge $35/ hour for tutoring which is on the low side for my area.

 

[tomthebarncat]

I too live in Ohio and am wondering what else to do with teaching degree. I spent four years in a charter school, and there's no chance of getting a job in public school. I also cannot afford to get my master's.

It's not that I don't want to teach, it's that after looking HARD for over a year and a half, I've realized it's becoming nearly impossible.

That is what my friend Cheryl did, she is from Cleveland. After 2 years of unemployment, and being certified/licensed to teach alot of subjects, history, communications,( some others that I can't remember) still no job. She spent alot of time and money getting extra stuff, thinking that if she could teach more subjects that she would find a job! Wrong answer!! after getting very depressed she decided to pursue a Masters degree in musuem curatorship in London. Her classes just started this week and she is loving her new life in the UK. She got a full scholarship and a paid internship because she graduated #1 from her teaching college. Sad, that she could not find a job in Ohio, but landed in London, on full scholarship with a job!! Point being that sometimes you need to create your own opportunities!!

 

[emma'smom]

Actually, that's not true---Have you called ODE? With all of the new licensure changes (ODE is switching to the residency license), you may be able to roll over to a different license (especially if you aren't really teaching under your current license now). You'll still need to take courses, but you might be able to tap into a district's professional development school. If you do want to teach, I would call ODE and talk to them directly about your situation. My current ODE license (the old 1-8) recently expired. I'm not teaching under it right now, but I called to check to see what I needed to do to renew it and I would need 9 credits. I have a masters and a doctoral degree---so it wasn't about the degree itself, it was about credits earned since the last license issuance. Call ODE--you may have more options than you think---if you want to go the teaching route.

I live in Ohio. I graduated in 2004 and am required to have a masters by the time I need to renew my second five year.

I do love teaching, and I love where I am at. Many of us have tried to get into a public school (just for better pay), but we haven't had any luck. There are very few jobs in my area. I simply can't afford to put any more money into college, online or otherwise. It would take me years to make up what I put into it, and I am 46 now. By the time my youngest graduates from college, my husband and I will have shelled out over $140,000 for college. Just can't do it anymore, and to be honest, I don't want to. No more debt, that's my motto!

I have thought about preschool, I have done that in the past. I like the idea of being a consultant, so that's a thought. Thanks everyone, you have given me some ideas to think about.

 

[tomthebarncat]

I noticed in a film credit that the onset tutoring for the children was done by a company called Location Education. I am sure that Ohio and other states have some sort of film or tv productions, etc. Remember, there are no bad ideas when brainstorming.